How to Start a Vacuum for a Fish Aquarium
- 1). Place a large bucket at the base of your aquarium. Make sure the bucket is sitting on a stable surface. Use a bucket with at least twice the capacity of the water change you plan to do. For instance, if you are doing a one-third water change on a 10-gallon tank, use a bucket with at least a 6-7 gallon capacity--this will help to prevent any overflows.
- 2). Place the gravel vacuum in the tank and make sure it is completely submerged. The intake tube of the gravel vacuum needs to be completely under water before the suction will start.
- 3). Push the gravel vacuum into the gravel as far as it will go, then pull up and down on the intake tube to start the suction. Make sure the plastic tubing is firmly in the bucket, since water will begin to flow almost immediately.
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