How to Make an Aquarium Vacuum

Aquariums require constant maintenance and cleaning to ensure a healthy environment for the fish that live in them. Vacuuming the aquarium gravel to remove particulates, feces and other contaminants keeps the water and tank clean. To make a manual aquarium vacuum, follow these steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Flexible tubing
  • Bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase rubber or clear tubing that is three times as long as the depth of the tank and approximately 2 inches in diameter.

    • 2

      Buy a larger diameter piece of tubing approximately 3 inches in diameter and affix the smaller tubing inside the larger tube.

    • 3

      Insert the larger end of the tubing into the aquarium. Ensure there is a tight seal between the two pieces of tubing.

    • 4

      Place a bucket outside of the aquarium and put the smaller end of the tube into this bucket. Keep the bucket edge lower than the aquarium at all times.

    • 5

      Draw water through the tubing from the smaller end. Use a siphoning method to draw the water. Slowly suck water from the aquarium tank through the tubing and into the bucket.

    • 6

      Allow a good vacuum to develop. Water must flow freely from the tank to the bucket.

    • 7

      Place the larger end of the tubing into the aquarium gravel and push down through the gravel to the bottom of the tank. Hold the vacuum in position until all contaminants flow into the bucket.

    • 8

      Continue cleaning the gravel in this manner until all debris has been removed from the tank through the aquarium vacuum.