Hello, I have a question regarding the use of gravel vacuums. I am sorry to say, but its 2011, and we have some great technologies; its time to revamp this gravel vacuuming thing. I just picked this thing up to vacuum my sandbed - the instructions are poor, the quality is poorer, and i feel like this thing is the biggest waste of money I have ever spent. I have a sandbed in my aquarium for my 2 Loaches, 6 Corys, Pleco, and Betta. They put out a good amount of waste, and The use of a gravel vacuum is just entirely inefficient, especially when you have as many live plants to work around as I do. Could someone please tell me the correct way to operate this POS technology, as Im afraid I could be doing something wrong and this could actually be a very useful tool. Also, what alternatives are there to the much dreaded gravel vacuum? Any organisms that could take care of this problem naturally?

Thank you so much for the read and more so for the help!!

Take it apart and only use the hose that came with it. That's about the only functionality you'll get from them.

By using just the hose, you can get right up next to plants and other decor, sucking out the goodies with minimal water removal. Hover the hose about 1/4" off the sand bed. Control the flow by placing your finger over the opposite end of the tubing while maneuvering in the tank.

For better results, take a chop stick and stir the sand before you do it. This will free up anything that is "locked" on the sand. Will make it easier to pick up. After you're done with the vacing, stir the bed one more time for good measures.

If you just shake the end of it and move it back and forth by the sand it kicks up the top layer, then just suck up whatever part of the kicked up sand and waste you want to get ride of. They do suck just find the way that works best for you.