Best way to clean gravel without removing it or the fish?

[goldfishyman]

Originally Posted by lelei

I use this one for my 3gal and my 5 gal tanks..and It works great, no bulb..but I learned how to start it without drinking water..lol It's about 8-10$

Yea thats easy if your tank is big enough, just fill up the tube and lift out of the water and submerge before air gets to the hose. But if your tank is too narrow you can't start it that way. Top Fin® Aquarium Gravel Vacuum - Aquarium Maintenance - Fish - PetSmart has the starter bulb and cost about the same as the one you linked.

[RabidAliver]

Thank you all of you :D I have one question that has nothing to do with the gravel vacs though: Are seashells fresh from the ocean, when cleaned, safe for a freshwater tank? Because I have some very nice ones I would like to use in my new tank but I wouldn't know that they were safe as they previously were in saltwater and held saltwater bottomfeeders...

[goldfishyman]

Originally Posted by RabidAliver

Thank you all of you :D I have one question that has nothing to do with the gravel vacs though: Are seashells fresh from the ocean, when cleaned, safe for a freshwater tank? Because I have some very nice ones I would like to use in my new tank but I wouldn't know that they were safe as they previously were in saltwater and held saltwater bottomfeeders...

Soak in bleach. There are micro pores that will harbor bacteria. Soak in water with declorinator. A few negatives it will slowly release calcium into the water making your water harder but probably not an issue if your doing your water changes. If there are sharp edges it could cut your betta or his tail and fins up.

[RabidAliver]

Originally Posted by goldfishyman

Soak in bleach. There are micro pores that will harbor bacteria. Soak in water with declorinator. A few negatives it will slowly release calcium into the water making your water harder but probably not an issue if your doing your water changes. If there are sharp edges it could cut your betta or his tail and fins up.

There were no sharp edges on the ones I wanted to use, but at least I know they can be safe to use :D Thank you.

[Hallyx]

If your pH is in the low sevens, it's probably not a big deal. Mine is higher and likes to go up. If this is your situation, I'd recommend against it.

[Hallyx]

I run small tanks....2.5g and 5g. The vacs at pet stores are too big for my taste, so I make these:

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/b...siphon-104391/

Elegant, schmelegant, they work fine. Thanks OFL.