Recommended: 10 Fish Tank Vacuums

Fish tank vacuums remove debris, waste, and food particles. They also change the water and clean the gravel. Given how important vacuums are, we chose 10 to consider using in your set up.

And, no, we didn't get paid to make this list. You won't find any affiliate links, either. We just like these.

1. Jeeco Aquarium Tools Aquarium Vacuum Gravel Cleaner (pictured above)

This Jeeco aquarium vacuum cleaner sports an air button on top that sucks the debris with superior force. It is easy to use and can be operated with one hand. A plastic scraper is provided that attaches to the vacuum and cleans the aquarium without scratching the glass surface. You can rake sand and scrape algae, too. The cleaner allows you to change water, and comes with a clamp to control the water flow. A filter basket net prevents debris (and fish) from jamming the cleaner.

2. Aqueon Siphon Vacuum Aquarium Cleaner

The Aqueon Siphon allows you to change the water of your fish tank and remove any debris from it as well. You can prime the pump with a simple up and down motion for changing the water. It sucks debris along with the water but prevents gravel from entering the pipe.

3. TERA PUMP Aquarium Cleaner TRFTCLN

There are two types of nozzles on this cleaner: a shorter one for draining water and a longer one for getting rid of debris. The TERA PUMP TRFTCLN fish tank vacuum has an intake diameter of 1.7 inches and a delivery volume of 1.5 gallons per minute. It is designed for big aquariums with large fish. Its patented filter allows dirt and sand to be discharged along with water.

4. EHEIM Quick Vac Pro Automatic Gravel Cleaner

If you need an automatic option, then the EHEIM Quick Vac Pro may be a perfect fit for you. The vacuum runs on four AA batteries with a runtime of up to four hours. It has a super-fine mesh cartridge that will remove the smallest debris from the tank. Its cartridge can be removed for cleaning. The EHEIM Quick Vac Pro can be submerged down to three feet. However, don’t use it for fish tanks with fine sand or fine gravel.

5. SunGrow Aquarium Gravel Cleaner Kit

The SunGrow Aquarium Gravel Cleaner Kit comes with a manual bulb controller to clean the tank. Squeeze the pump bulb a few times, and the water will start to flow. You can attach a suction cup for added convenience. The nozzle has a net to prevent gravel and debris from getting stuck in the hose. 

6. LL Products Gravel Vacuum for Aquarium

The LL Products Gravel Vacuum also uses the suction force created by squeezing its hand pump bulb. A flow control valve allows you to adjust the rate. It has a one-way valve to prevent the water from flowing in the reverse direction. The filter attachment prevents gravel and small fish from entering the tube. It is suitable for cleaning tanks ranging from 20 gallons to 55 gallons. The kit comes with a minnow net for keeping fish out of the way when cleaning the tank.

7. Upettools Aquarium Gravel Cleaner

If you are looking for an all-in-one solution for cleaning your fish tank, then consider the Upettools Aquarium Gravel Cleaner. It allows you to change or filter water, clean sand and gravel, remove debris, and scrape algae. The cleaner uses a powerful motor that runs on 110V mains and consumes 28 watts of power. It has a maximum flow rate of 450 GPH and can fill a 180-gallon fish tank in 30 minutes. You can adjust the flow as required. There are multiple attachment heads provided for cleaning your fish tank comprehensively.

8. Zacro Fish Tank Gravel Cleaner

The Zacro Fish Tank Gravel Cleaner is designed for 20- to 40-gallon aquariums. It features a large suction balloon for changing the water. A knob allows you to control the flow rate of the water. Its nozzle features a sieve that prevents the sand from flowing out with water. You can use Zacro fish tank gravel cleaner for aquariums that have a sand bed without worry. It comes with a clip for attaching it to the aquarium during cleaning.

9. Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer

The Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer comes with 25 feet of flexible tubing for filling the tank from a faucet. Its faucet adapter will fit a wide range of faucets, and has a valve for switching between vacuuming and refilling. An 11-inch gravel tube allows you to clean the gravel and vacuum debris. The tube also has a separate valve for controlling the flow of water. It is also available with 50-feet of flexible tubing.

10. Laifoo Aquarium Vacuum Gravel Cleaner

The Laifoo Aquarium Vacuum Gravel Cleaner is another faucet-based option. It comes with a faucet connector and a 25-foot hose. The connector has a valve to switch between vacuuming and refilling operations. A siphon ball allows you to remove the water automatically with a few presses. You can remove the siphon ball once the water starts to flow for improving its rate. Its gravel tube has a filter screen for preventing gravel or fish from being sucked in while removing debris. The tubing itself is odorless and will resist kinking over time.