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Post by Ameenah on Jul 17, 2014 18:39:26 GMT -5
I apologize for not sharing this sooner The Eheim Quick Vac Pro Gravel Cleaner and Sludge Extractor is a fully submersible, hand held, battery operated contraption well worth the $50 - $60 price tag. I initially purchased this device out of curiosity and as a possible way to lower the bio load on my filters and thus improve water quality. It was easy to assemble and came with the 4 AA batteries needed for operation. I use it fully submerged in my Big Tank which has pool filter sand substrate. The device works very well to remove the biologicals from the sand surface. The lower "tip" of the device is sort of serrated to make gravel vacuuming easy, but it works well on my Big Tank substrate where I can "pick up" and clean to a depth of about 3 inches by lowering the tip and then lifting it out slowly to allow the sand to churn and the debris to be vacuumed up. My other tanks also have sand substrate (and zero substrate in the quarentine/grow out tank) so I cant say how well it works on gravel. My guess is that it would work great though. I use the Eheim Quick Vac Pro in my smaller tanks as well. In these cases a portion of the device is above the water line. After a bit of an ooops, I learned to be mindful of where the vacuum releases the water! Water and debris are carried up through the device and deposited into the white removable filter, the water then returns through the white filter to the tank. The white filter is real easy to remove and rinse out. If you use this Eheim Quick Vac Pro on a smaller size tank, be sure to keep the white mesh filter pointed toward the middle of the tank at all times to avoid an ooops. The Eheim Quick Vac Pro is actually very easy and fun to use - yes fun. As I mentioned, the device uses 4 AA batteries. I replace the batteries every month or two. I use rechargeable batteries now which also helps keep expenses down. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PARTIAL WATER CHANGES but I think it helps keep good water quality by reducing the biologicals and other tank debris that slowly break down to get carried into filtration. Plus regular use keeps the tank looking good. I am very impressed with the Eheim Quick Vac Pro Gravel Cleaner and Sludge Extractor and I recommend it to everyone with any size tanks. www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquariumvacuum.html#eheim_vacAttachments:
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jul 18, 2014 9:15:12 GMT -5
I want one! I've been struggling to use my manual vacuum, only because the vacuum is bigger and my aquarium is packed with plants. I was thinking this vacuum make it easier. Thanks for the review.
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Post by Ameenah on Jul 19, 2014 9:38:44 GMT -5
Keep in mind that this device will pick up debris and biologicals from your tank and put the water immediately back in your tank. It is great to use between water changes and could keep the water condition good for longer periods of time (decreasing debris and biologicals breakdown in your tank); thus, less partial water changes each month.
When you get yours, let me know what you think of using the Eheim Quick Vac Pro in your heavily planted tank. I think you will really like it too.
In my smaller tanks, I no longer need to vacuum clean the substrate with my Python water extractor. I do it with my Eheim Quick Vac Pro instead. I no longer race the clock to clean my substrate before removing 1/4 to 1/3 of the tank water.
Even my 14 year old grandson LIKES using it!
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jul 19, 2014 12:36:27 GMT -5
Yup, that's what happens, I try to get as much clean as I can before the water in the tank gets about 1/2. With this, I could go even longer between water changes. I wonder how long. Right now, I'm doing a 50% like every 4-6 weeks. I also put new water in as it evaporates out, like every other week. With some good filtration and this vacuum, I wonder if you would even need to a "water change". More just clean it and add water as it evaporates....hmmm, this is getting me thinking.
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Post by Ameenah on Jul 19, 2014 16:53:58 GMT -5
"Chasing Debris" with water extractor wont happen again when you use an Eheim Quick Vac Pro! But you do still have to do your water changes 'the ol' fashion way' - but less often! There is no way out of that my friend.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jul 21, 2014 8:50:38 GMT -5
Ya, I'm wanting to see what it can do for the rocks I have in the tank. Instead of having remove them, just vacuum around them more often. I'll try to pick on up soon and let you know.
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Post by Carl on Jul 21, 2014 10:23:04 GMT -5
Excellent review of the Eheim Sludge Remover Vacuum!
Thanks for taking the time to post it, (I think I will make it a "sticky" or maybe a EA Blog post
Carl
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Post by parker002 on Jul 22, 2014 18:41:18 GMT -5
I have one and I love it. We have a small tank with a lot of guppies and this thing saves me from having to do 3 or 4 water changes a week.  |
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Post by goldenpuon on Jul 29, 2014 0:42:39 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing! If I get more fish again, I might look into getting it!  Renee |
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jul 29, 2014 9:16:07 GMT -5
This thing just changed my world. So easy to use and pull up a large amount a debris. It just made things a lot easier. Even easy to use around plants or on the plants... I have a 4 year pleco which has some pretty large... you know... and the vacuum pulled it up no problem. It's just the right amount of suction to get whats on top without make a mess. This thing has got me pretty excited! Thanks for the recommendation.
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Post by Ameenah on Jul 29, 2014 15:13:29 GMT -5
Delighted to hear that you have purchased, and now are loving the Eheim Quick Vac Pro now too. I especially like your comments on how it works with planted tanks as none of my tanks have plants. Again you can purchase the Eheim Quick Vac Pro from our friends at American Aquarium Products for LESS THAN $49.00!!! This is a far better price than most LSF - if you can find an LFS that sells them. |
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Post by angelminx on Jul 29, 2014 18:04:50 GMT -5
I really like mine, too, but there's a small rip in the microfilter, and I was wondering if anyone knows where to get a replacement. It's not a real problem, but debris gets caught on the little piece that sticks out on the inside of it, and it's a pain to reach in and pull it off when I rinse the thing after each use--I can just barely reach it.
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Post by Ameenah on Jul 29, 2014 19:31:31 GMT -5
Hi Angelminx. I dont know where to buy replacement parts either; but, you could probably use a piece of women's nylon stocking as a patch with touch of glue.
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Post by rusalka on Jan 3, 2015 0:27:53 GMT -5
Ameenah, is it fully submersible???
I've been always trying not to wet the "handle" part, you've just opened my eyes.
I have Eco Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate in one of my tanks and I was initially worried that the vac would suck in small grains, but the suction is perfect, strong enough to clean but not to suck in the substrate.
angelminx, I even think you can glue a piece of any slippery material from inside, even not mesh material. The filter won't lose its productivity if it loses dime or nickel size of its surface.
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Post by Carl on Jan 3, 2015 13:41:03 GMT -5
Ameenah, is it fully submersible??? I've been always trying not to wet the "handle" part, you've just opened my eyes. I have Eco Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate in one of my tanks and I was initially worried that the vac would suck in small grains, but the suction is perfect, strong enough to clean but not to suck in the substrate. angelminx, I even think you can glue a piece of any slippery material from inside, even not mesh material. The filter won't lose its productivity if it loses dime or nickel size of its surface. Great points! Thanks for sharing your experience! Carl |
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Post by Ameenah on Jan 3, 2015 22:00:57 GMT -5
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify submursibility of the Eheim Quick Vac Pro Yes the Eheim Quick Vac Pro IS FULLY SUBMURSIBLE from tip to tail. That it the bestest thing about using in in my large and tall tank. I do use it on my smaller tanks, but need to watch where the water returns to the tank so that I dont accidentally splash it onto the floor. In smaller tanks, I do not add both extension pieces - just use 1. I use pool filter sand as substrate in my large tank. Sometimes the Eheim sucks up a bit of the sand and it stops the motor. Simple fix is to rinse the filter and "spinner thingy" and put it back together and get back to work - the rinse takes about 3 minutes if you include the time it takes to walk to the sink My smaller tanks have regular aquarium gravel. I have never had the Eheim pick this substrate up. |
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Post by parker002 on Jan 5, 2015 12:17:49 GMT -5
In smaller tanks, I do not add both extension pieces - just use 1. Same here. |
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Post by childofiam on Jul 6, 2017 10:50:02 GMT -5
I purchased one of these some time back and use it everyday. It works great on bare bottom tank and also sifts sand very well but I would highly recommend that you use some dielectric grease or something on the O-ring to help prevent water from getting past the seal. I noticed the dry O-Ring right off the bat and that the cap has play in it so on went the grease to complete the seal....
I had read some reviews where people complained that water was getting inside of the unit and ruined the batteries as well as the board. A dry O-Ring is the cause but Eheim's response is "We do not lubricate the O-Ring as this is the customers responsibility" as I remember the email response from them.
It is a great unit and I use rechargeable batteries in as the unit consumes a lot of battery life.
Richard
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Post by Carl on Jul 6, 2017 11:56:46 GMT -5
I had read some reviews where people complained that water was getting inside of the unit and ruined the batteries as well as the board. A dry O-Ring is the cause but Eheim's response is "We do not lubricate the O-Ring as this is the customers responsibility" as I remember the email response from them. It is a great unit and I use rechargeable batteries in as the unit consumes a lot of battery life. Richard This is a nice product but for this one flaw. This flaw and Eheims's response is nothing new to any of their products, including their vaunted heaters and filters. They make some good products, but their customer service, warranty, and how they deal with both their retailers and end users/customers is extremely lacking and a reason I only sell a few of their products (basically ones there is no good alternative for). The heaters (Ebo Jager) have a good alternative in the Via Aqua among others, while the Eheim canister filter has a good alternative in the Filstar. The larger Pro models along with the similar Fluval FX series are a simple waste of money that would be better off purchasing a couple standard canister filters along with a FSB filter, resulting in better redundancy and actually vastly superior bio filtration, just not gimmicky bells & whistles that are so common in this hobby/industry driven by marketing, not professionalism Carl |
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