Fluval Medium/Large Gravel Vacuum Cleaner, 11081

This is an excellent gravel vacuum. The quality is high, the price is moderate, and it works well. Best of all, it is loaded with "quality of life" features that set it apart from other, similar products. Whoever designed this vacuum knew what they were doing, because the little features (squeeze bulb start, bucket clip, flow control, etc. ) it has really set it apart from other vacuums.If you are considering buying this gravel vac, I would say that you should, indeed get it. If you are wondering how it works in various tank sizes, it worked wonderfully in my 29 high, but was also fine in my 10 as well. I believe that it would work in most tanks up a hundred gallons, as well, although if you have nano tanks, you may want to consider the smaller version.Pros:-High quality (strong materials, thick tubing, etc. )-Clip for drain bucket. The clip does a nice job of keeping the hose where it belongs so that the filth and water go into your bucket, not on the floor., which makes it easier to focus on vacuuming and prevents mishaps.)-Squeeze bulb siphon start (the bulb starts the siphon quickly and easily.)-Relatively small tube for more precise vacuuming (massive, oversized tubes are common, but they make it hard to clean around plants and decorations, the smallish tube allows more control and precision.)-good suction and flow (it really can agitate and lift the gravel to suck up muck)-flow control switch (I love it. You have such precise control of the suction that you can be sure to suck up what you want, but not what you don't want. I've used it once, and I'm already spoiled.)Cons:-It is fairly large, and doesn't store in a small space-The filter has to be removed to clean it, and doing so is slightly annoyinghints-It has very strong suction, so you will need to be careful of that the first time you use it.-Be sure that the flow control thumb switch is open when you are starting the siphon ( it wont' start if it is closed... )

This is the first and only gravel vacuum I've owned, but if it were to die tomorrow I'd probably buy another of the same. I've had it about 4 months now and have used it probably 5 times. It takes a few pumps of the bulb to get the flow started, but it always starts and the flow is relatively strong. The flow control lever is very handy since while I'm vacuuming sand I don't want to actually pull the sand out of the tank, just disrupt it to get some of the algae on and in the sand to flow up the tube. When I'm done vacuuming sand and want to just move water quickly, I slide the flow control over to fully open and the operation moves along plenty quickly. There is a strainer at the top of the vacuum tubing right before the flow control that I assume keeps you from sucking fish out of the tank, but I'd kinda rather it not be there because when you suck up large pieces of algae it gets stuck in this strainer and typically falls back into the tank when you break the siphon. You may be able to disassemble the pump and remove the strainer, but I haven't tried. The reason I docked it a star is that the tubing quickly gets relatively inflexible. My girlfriend and I always do water changes together, so having 4 hands makes the task simple, but I'd imagine if you were doing your water changes alone it may be difficult to get the tubing to hold the shape you want. If you anticipate having help with your water changes then this is a non-issue. The little red clip at the end of the tube may be helpful, but it's kind of flimsy. I'm not sure I'd rely on it. Over-all, a great vac for a great price! I think you'll be pleased!

This gravel vacuum is the best I have found yet. I have a 50 gallon tank. I have been using a gravel vacuum for a 10 gallon for awhile, because I had a hard time finding a decent one with hand pump. I refuse to prime a vacuum by sucking on it. Ick, aquarium water in my mouth no thanks. I am so happy this one has a hand pump and a valve to slow or stop the flow of water, because this vacuum gets going fast. It is a nice feature to have when switching buckets, or when you have removed enough water from your tank. I am extremely happy with how fast I am able to vacuum my tank's gravel. This has made water changes a snap. My tank is looking super clean in way less effort. I highly recommend.

I can't get water to actually flow thru this. I use a different one at work that doesn't use a pump. For that one, I just suck on it and the water flows through the tubes just fine. I expected this one to work the same way, I just wouldnt have to start the flow with my mouth, I could start it with the pump. But even with the pump on this one, I can hardly get the water to move at all, let alone flow. I tried adjusting the knob on whether it flows fast or slow and no big change in the issue. Also double checked that the pump was in the correct way and it was. Highly dissatisfied with my purchase.

Nothing elaborate just works not looking for much on longevity but should work for small water changes

It is functional, but not great.Likes: Hose length; vacuum tube length; adjustable flow rateDislikes, Vacuum tube does not fit securely into housing causing it to slip out, and/or allow air into the siphon tube breaking the vacuum; siphon pump doesn't always work, the valves get stuck open easily.

I had never used a gravel vac before but found this one to be easy to put together and use. Directions on the box are clear and the tube long enough to reach the bottom of my 38 g tank comfortably. I can’t compare it to anything else but it made my water change today easy and cleaning simple.

Does not move much volume of water. Tube is very narrow and takes much longer to clean my tank!

I’d say that there’s a knack to using this simple device. Recently I had two muddled attempts at getting it to work but after hosing through a jet of water off it went again! We have an above ground tank with a volume of 100 litres. Via this gadget and a regular chemical cleaner the water, even after two months is still crystal clear. Tips? Try not to disturb the bottom of the tank/pond as this clouds the water and you’ll no longer be able to see what you’re up to. Also, and with a relatively small floor area to keep clean I find keeping the end of the Perspex pipe as close to the bottom as possible will ensure maximum uptake of debris. I’ve been using the small filter trap but I’d imagine that if you’ve no large stuff to suck up then even this is unnecessary. I am able to fill a large bucket in fairly quick time and the contents are not a pretty site!

Like others have said it's very fiddly to use. I have 2 x 125ltr tanks. The suction tube is too wide, if you have plants, rocks, ornaments in your tanks it's impossible to maneuver around them as the pipe is just too big. It is no better than the cheaper blue and white £6.99 models sold on Amazon. Returned for refund for this reason and also because mine arrived 2nd hand and still wet from the previous owner???!!! Don't bother!

Brought this gravel filter as the one I was using just was not helping. I have several Biorbs and needed to clean the substrate. The Vac needed only one pump to get it going, with its adjustable suction it was easy to slow down to get to all the muck and sludge. It has powerful suction and I could not believe just how much debris was in the tanks, Nice and size and easy to handle. Very pleased with the performance.

I had a cheap make of suction filter and wondered if this would be worth the extra money, I need not have worried.It is worth it by been able to reduce the flow of the water when you are cleaning the gravel and you can see the sediment sucked from below the gravel and the gravel just falling back in place.I do not need to empty buckets and buckets of water just to clean the gravel in the tank

Product arrived with severe bend in tubing, so stiff & kinked, I can't actually use it for what it is intended for. Manufacturer said it isn't their problem. Will try and return it and buy something else.