So I was gonna go out and buy one of those nice Gravel Vacuums, but when I looked at them in the store I realized I could make one just as easily for free, instead of forking out my own money. 20$ bucks is a lot to me.

It worked great. Every time I do a water change I'm gonna use it to keep all that darn poop out of the bottom. Keeps the water so much nicer, and my O's already seem happier with the water quality.

Go me!

On a different note, I'm thinking I'm going to attempt to make my own aquarium. Was looking into it today. I don't think it would be that bad. I just want to look into cost for glass and such to see if it's really worth it, and if It will save me any money in the long run.

there are so many ways on how to create vacuum, a garden hose
fitted with empty plastic bottle of softdrinks or mineral water,
bottom-cut will do. if you want with pressure, use the powerhead
fitted also with similar bottom-cut bottles and long hose for the
discharge area. whenever you push the suction end at the gravel,
all dirt embedded to it will be thrown away.....

making your own tank could save you 50% of the cost. however, when
you bumped or hit something, and chipped off the edges, it will cost
you the same or more. plus, you can directed your time in a more
productive effort

I made a gravel pump but i loose little water im wanting to pat. the thing because there is basically no water loose and it cleans the rock at the same time.
I havent found anything like it yet but ill tell u guys about it owell if u guys make millions off it lol
what i did was take a normal gravel vacuum and attached a powerhead to the side where the water would normally come out. and where the water would come outof the power head i attached a foam sleave. it works great and i have no water loss like i said ill post some pics of it later.

i can picture what you mean... i have done that too. you have
that cylindrical pad holder that is usually put at the suction
of the powerhead...instead, you put it at the discharge point to
catch the craps and bingo, you had remove all the dirt without
water loss. but i don't have many plants for the meantime, i do
give my tank water change. reducing the water while vacuuming
helps me do two things in one setting.

any pics of these sorts of vac's? i've been struggling to get all the crap out.... anythings worth a try

Just cut the bottom off of a 2 liter bottle, or a 20 oz bottle. and attach to the big end(female end) of a garden hose. When you are done cleaning detach bottle and attach female end of the hose to faucet. Fill!

Easy as can be!

will this get it all out well tho? i have one of those skinny ones, it doesnt seem to have the suction needed to get all of it......

how big is your hose and how long? how big is the empty plastic bottle?
remember, gravity is directly proportionate to the volume of flowing water,
and how long the hose is.... additional loop of a hose will create additional
gravity if there is minimal height difference from the suction point with
the discharge point.

about 7 ft long (to get out the front) and it is the one that came with, the bottle is about the size of a can of V, the hose is smaller than a garden hose

if the hose is too thin or small diameter, it will create minimal
gravity...but if you hold on to the hose and allow the suction
point without attachment to run over the crap, it can still suck them.

Very good info. Not really concerned with the cost but the water loss during gravel cleanings. Have always wondered if and how to make gravel cleanings easier. I love this site.