Gravel Vacuum Questions

[treed11]

I'm pretty new to the betta fish world, so I'm still working on setting my tank up. I have a 2.5 gallon, filtered tank for 1 male veiltail.

I was mainly just wondering if it is necessary to use a gravel vacuum when doing water changes, and why? I'm a little short on money at the moment, so I can't really purchase one for about a month or so.

Is this going to be an issue? If so, is there an alternative method I can use until I can get the real thing?

Thanks!

[LizzyP]

You can stir up the substrate with your hand and scoop water out with a cup until you get a vacuum.

[OrangeAugust]

Yeah, What Lizzy said. It's not required, but it makes it a lot easier. I have a 2.5 gallon, and scooping out water with cups just takes too long, and it's too heavy and has too many plants to bring it to the sink and dump it out and rinse the gravel.

[lelei]

If I remember correctly there is a thread on here, If I can find it, or a sticky on a DIY siphon with some airline tubing, and a straw..has anyone else seen that..I will see if I can find it..