Upgraded Electric Gravel Cleaner Fish Tank, 6 in 1 Sludge Extractor, Tank Siphon, Water Changer, Sand Cleaner, Water Flow, Water Shower, 18.5"-45.27" Syphon Fish Tank Vacuum Cleaner, 28W, 1800L/h

I wish I had bought this sooner. I find trying to clean the gravel around the plants difficult to do properly and never seem to get everything out with a manual suction bulb. Always seeing black debris coming up after a cleaning and then putting new water in. Which I find a real drag. This made it a breeze and is very effective. Sure I still had some debris to start with, but this was far less and only due to the fact that the first time I used it I hadn't really got the hang of it. By the third time I was getting practically everything.Once you have figured out which attachments suit you best and how it fits into your cleaning routine it is quicker and easier for cleaning and water changes as a bulb, but far more effective for debris removal. I clean then water change right after, then leave this running in the tank with the bag filter on to help clear the water of anything floating, taking the load off the main filter. This clears the water of a 90 litre tank in about 15 minutes. With the tank filter alone it would be over an hour before it was total clear.Some things to consider about using it. Adding all the handle extensions makes it quite unwieldy. Plus, these handle sections hold water, which you will inevitably spill everywhere when you first use it. Just add the main handle and you'll get into the tank easier and do a better job too (just accept you have to get your hands wet!). If you use it to drain water, when you switch the pump off pressure in the pump means it keeps pumping water so stop WELL before the top of the bucket. Don't get caught out like me! The whole unit itself retains a lot of water so have the empty bucket ready to put it into when you're done. Again, don't get caught out like I did and soak the floor!The only down point is the instructions. You get an assembly diagram for two configurations but the rest is in Chinese. However, the assembly diagram is all you need so it is a minor niggle.It is clearly doing a much better job than the manual bulb as previously I'd start to see traces of ammonia and nitrate about a week after a clean. Following a clean I deliberately skipped the weekly water change and it was 10 days before I saw traces. I admit, I was sceptical about using one of these, buying into the advice at the local aquatic shop that if I was 'doing it properly you shouldn't need one'. But you know what? I don't care, because now I am doing it properly and results in my tank speak for themselves.

Pros - easy to put together, sturdy and looks to be made well. Good power cable length. Excellent adjustable handle length. Fine for large aquariums. Excellent suction for water changes. Less than 15 mins to empty a 300 litre tank. Quiet operation.Cons -When using any attachment the suction obviously drops off and is too low. Poor as a sand cleaner because filter bag is too small and suction is poor with attachment added which has a secondary sponge filter in it. Better to clean sand during water changes and remove the filter sponge.Adjustable suction pressure valve poorly made.Have a play with the attachments to get the best out of it and put a larger filter sock on it. The outlet hose ot came with is cheap and thin although a generous length but won’t last long I have replaced it with thicker walled hose.Could do with some hose clips to keep hose in the bucket.Overall it’s an ok device but you have to customise it to get the best out of it. Cost wise it is fine, overall happy with my purchase I just wish it came with a more powerful pump that is speed adjustable.

It’s easy cleaning value for money

This arrived today and had an instruction booklet in English and German, though it only contained the diagram to follow for assembly. Thank you Steve O'Connor for the tip about the connector. It took a while but was quite straightforward. I'd suggest closing the flow regulator, putting the pump into the tank, plugging in, lifting it above the sand or gravel, then switching it on (no mention anywhere else of a switch on the lead) and then gradually turning up the flow regulator until you get the suction you need. If it is too high you will suck up sand or small gravel and the pump may immediately stop. If this happens, unscrew the ring at the bottom of the pump and pull out the attachment and black cover so that you can clean the pump. Incidentally, for cleaning, unscrew the shower head so that all the gunk can get into the bag.My only problem is that having put duck nozzle on, I can't get it off to try the other attachments. Will have to wait for help from other hands. It was very effective and my tank is now clean.It may help to say that I am 79 and think this was worth the effort!

Even with new batteries it’s not as strong as I hoped. Great to start emptying the tank could do with better filters

It's not the easiest to figure out how to assemble as other purchasers have said but there is a diagram on the box of optional assemblies.I handle is made up sections and screw together as many as you like to fit your tank. Basically it's a pump on a stick but seems to be good quality and plug in. There are a choice of pick ups, a brush, slot with blade, bottom support filter and clear bell. Post pump there's a flow control, two filtering cans and a hose to empty complete.My Tip:- the supplied filter bag is pretty useless and pumps all round the tank. I use one sponge and a make up remover pad of the missus. Split in half an cut in a circle to fit and he Presto it stops all the muck. See photos

I use this electric siphon for the weekly water change for a small pond (300 litres). It works well and much easier to use than a manual siphon. However, it is not ideal for gravel and sludge cleaning as things get stuck in the motor. I have ended up using the manual siphon for the gravel cleaning and this pump for the large water change required.

Unable to use as a gravel cleaner as even on shortest configuration of tubes, it’s too long to work because it sits too far above the water line.On/off button gets stuck.