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Step 1
Turn off any machinery in the fish tank. If you have a bubble machine or filter turned on, be sure it is turned off before beginning to use the gravel vacuum cleaner. This will prevent air getting into the tube and disabling the vacuum.
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Step 2
Put the open tube of the vacuum into a bucket. If you have a large tank, you will probably need an additional tube that will attach to the side of the gravel vacuum where there is a spout. For smaller tanks, a small baggie will be attached.
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Step 3
Check if the batteries are good. Siphon gravel vacuums are run by battery and will perform best if the batteries are still in good shape. Turn the vacuum on by flipping the switch on the side of the handle. Place the palm of your hand over the open side of the tube and determine if there is a good amount of suction. If so, then the batteries are still good. Turn the switch to the off position.
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Step 4
Place the open part of the vacuum into the water vertically. Flip the switch on the handle to the on position. Run the tube over the gravel.
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Step 5
Notice the particles that come through the tubing. Try to avoid a lot of gravel being sucked into the tube. Some gravel is OK and you can replace it after cleaning it later. Brush over and around the gravel. The main objective is to remove any and all of the feces in the fish tank and old food that hasn't been eaten.
