Best Aquarium Vacuum Gravel Cleaners for Nano to Large Tanks

If you own an aquarium, you are going to have to clean your gravel of waste and food eventually. Adequate maintenance with the help of a good quality aquarium gravel vacuum cleaner makes this much much easier.



Your fish need a clean habitat to thrive and stay alive and changing the water frequently is not always the solution. Muck will build up from leftover food and fish waste causing water quality problems.

To ensure that your fish tank is clean and free of dirt or debris, and to maintain the pH level you need an excellent aquarium gravel cleaner. With a good aquarium vacuum cleaner, your fish tank will be less troubled by ammonia and nitrates which can be toxic for your fish.

Before buying any aquarium cleaners, it is always important to check out reviews so that you will be informed about what models you are buying and what special features it offers. There are many aquarium vacuum cleaners available today, no more buckets! We are here to help you pick the most efficient aquarium cleaner for maintaining your fish tank.

Here are our reviews on our top four recommended picks, keeping different tanks sizes and budgets in mind.

1. Python No Spill and Clean Aquarium Gravel Cleaner

Python no spill and clean aquarium gravel cleaner is one of the top-selling products for tropical fish hobbyist for a good reason, it works. The Python gravel cleaner comes assembled and is super easy to set up. Python has a patented faucet attachment that does an amazing job of siphoning water out and returning clean water back to your tank. This top quality aquarium cleaner drains your tank of all that muck and waste, then refills fresh water into your tank without spilling. Its material is FDA- approved and environment-friendly. Easily one of the most efficient water changes without disturbing your aquatic creatures in your fish tank. If you are looking for all in one easy cleaning, this aquarium gravel vacuum cleaner is what you need.

Pros:

It comes as a ready-to-use product.
It can adapt to most faucets easily.
It does not spill and create any mess.
It is a powerful water changer.
It is eco-friendly.
It cleans the dirt and debris efficiently while draining out the wastewater.

Cons:

Takes a bit of timing if your faucet is far from your tank.

2. EHEIM Quick Vac Pro Aquarium Gravel Cleaner

This powerful aquarium gravel cleaner is a perfect choice if you want a quick and thorough cleaning. The efficient gravel cleaner is a very comfortable handheld device and convenient to use. It can fully submerge up to three feet and does not require buckets or hoses to drain or change water, a big plus if you don't have a lot of room. It also comes with a unique and removable cartridge that can easily extract tiny waste particles in your fish tank. Instead of hoses, all the waste is trapped in the cartridge and later you rinse the waste out of the cartridge in your sink. It can effectively remove dirt and debris, and left-over food, and prevent toxins from polluting your aquarium. It is easy to operate and ideally suited for both salt and freshwater. It runs on four AA batteries and states it's capable of 4-hour continuous runtime on fresh batteries.

Pros:

It is easy and comfortable to use.
It has a highly efficient suction jet to remove even the smallest waste particles.
4-hour continuous runtime on fresh batteries.

Cons:

Have to clean out the cartridge manually.

3. Dora's Corner Store Aquarium Gravel Cleaner

If you are looking for a high-quality aquarium gravel cleaner, that is simple and budget-friendly, your search ends here. This aquarium gravel vacuum is popularly known for its durability as it works efficiently, without any significant problems, due to a simple design. Easy to assemble, includes three parts; 10" tube, 56" hose and, a single backflow valve. Using a self-priming method by creating an up and down motion to initiate water flow, you will not need any special attachments or priming bulbs. It can change water quickly and efficiently separates debris from the gravel at the same time. The product material is genuine and BPA free, and you can rest assured that it will not harm your aquatic plants or your fish during routine maintenance.

Pros:

It is easy to assemble.
It effectively separates debris from the gravels.
It is highly durable and BPA free.
It uses the self-priming method.

Cons:

It is not suited for a smaller tank.
You are going to need buckets or sink nearby.

4. Fluval EDGE Fish Tank Gravel Cleaner

If you are searching for a quick and easy cleaning for your nano aquarium, Fluval Edge gravel vacuum is an ideal choice. This cleaner is specially designed for a planted and decorated small aquarium. It includes two cleaning heads and consists of a simple start-up valve that allows the tool to start without any hassles. This aquarium gravel cleaner also comes with a unique gravel tube and a slim nozzle that allows easy cleaning without jamming the hose. Its contoured design provides for angled reach and prevents itself from twisting.

Pros:

It is budget friendly.
It comes with two cleaning heads for quick and more comfortable cleaning.
It features an exclusive gravel guard that prevents the gravel from clogging the hose.

Cons:

It is not ideal for larger tanks.
It may not be easy for some people to start the siphoning process.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your gravel clean using one of the aquarium cleaners mentioned above is going to go a long way to keep your fish healthy and your water quality stable. It doesn't take too much waste and food build up to begin to foul up your water quality and begin the downward spiral that could lead to your fish dying.

Depending on the size of your tank, your access to faucet and budget, one of the gravel vacuums mentioned will best suit your individual needs. The python no spill and clean aquarium gravel cleaner has long been our recommendation and has been used on a smaller 65-gallon personal tank as well as a larger breeding setup.

Stable water conditions and healthy fish are the real reason you are selecting a gravel cleaner. Keep the safety of your fish in mind and pick the gravel cleaner that will best suit the needs of your tank and budget.