If you’ve got fish, you’ll know that cleaning their tank can be a very tedious job that can take a lot of time. You want to make sure they have a nice, clean home to live in, but removing all the debris and dirt from their tank can be difficult! Fortunately, the best aquarium gravel cleaners can save you lots of time! It helps you to clean your tank easily, without having to deconstruct it every time.
However, there are lots of aquarium gravel cleaners out there and trying to find the right one can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Do you really need a gravel cleaner? And what should you be looking for when purchasing one? Fortunately for you, we have complied a buying guide below answering all your questions, and have even included some of our top picks for aquarium gravel cleaners out there on the market today. Keeping reading to find out more!
Best Aquarium Gravel Cleaners – Comparison Table
| Product Image | Product name | Features | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1) SSRIVER Store Aquarium Gravel Cleaner | Handy Desingn Prevent Blocking Easy To Use | 4.1 out of 5 |
  | 2) Bedee Electric Auto Aquarium Gravel Cleaner | 6 in 1 design A strong pump Easily removes particles | 4.2 out of 5 |
| 3) NICREW Automatic Gravel Cleaner | Easily removes particles Ideal for complete aquarium cleaning Eco-friendly products | 3.8 out of 5 |
| 4) Luigi’s Fish Tank Cleaner | No Messy drips Sturdy one way valve to improve suction Prevent sucking up small fish | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 5) Aqueon Medium Siphon Vacuum Aquarium Gravel Cleaner | Perfect for quick water changes Efficiently separates debris from gravel Self-priming | 4.2 out of 5 |
| 6) Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System | Adapts easily to most faucets. Complete ready-to-use system. No buckets, no siphons | 4.7 out of 5 |
| 7) Laifoo Aquarium Siphon Vacuum Cleaner | Easy to control Convenient to siphon fish faeces Made from clear & elastic plastic | 4.4 out of 5 |
| 8) Python Pro-Clean Gravel Washer Siphon Kit | Effectively separates Removes debris from your aquarium Constructed with flexible | 4.4 out of 5 |
What Is An Aquarium Gravel Cleaner?
An aquarium gravel cleaner is, simply put, a device that helps you to clean the gravel in your aquarium! It usually works by moving gravel around a column of water, cleaning it and removing any waste and debris. This helps to keep your fish in a sanitary environment, as well as preventing the growth of bad bacteria that could end up harming them.
Do I Need Aquarium Gravel Cleaners?
While a gravel cleaner isn’t absolutely necessary, every fish owner may find one useful! No matter the size of the tank, the type of fish you have or the aquatic plants you’re growing, a gravel cleaner effectively helps to remove waste from the bottom of the tank and keep it a safe and healthy environment. This waste can include fish waste, food waste, and just general dirt and debris that can accumulate over time without you even realizing!
With so many types of aquarium gavel cleaners out there, you will certainly be able to find one that suits your tank and fish even if you don’t think you need one. They also come at many different prices, so don’t be put off if you think they’re going to be super expensive.
Features To Consider When Buying Aquarium Gravel Cleaners
There are a few things to consider when buying aquarium gravel cleaners to ensure you get the right one for your tank and your fish and plants.
Tank Size
First and foremost, consider the size of your tank when purchasing a gravel cleaner. Some cleaners suction the water out very quickly and, if you have a small tank, this could pose a problem for your fish! A smaller gravel cleaner works for a smaller aquarium.
Type Of Substrate
Gravel cleaners are, of course, designed for tanks with gravel substrate. If you have fish tank gravel in your tank, you will certainly benefit from a cleaner. However, if your tank has sand substrate in it instead, then you won’t need one as sand is generally a cleaner substrate.
Fish And Plants
Take into consideration the size of your fish and plants when purchasing a gravel cleaner. You don’t want any accidents (ie. your cleaner sucking up your fish), so make sure you purchase one with a small enough nozzle. Fortunately, most aquarium gravel cleaners come with safety features built in to stop any accidents from happening.
Types Of Aquarium Gravel Cleaners
There are a few different types of aquarium gravel cleaners. The most common and popular type is an electric gravel cleaner, because it works quickly and effectively. However, there are also manual gravel cleaners, as well as vacuum gravel cleaners. It will be up to you to decide which is going to be best for you.
If you’re ready to find the best gravel cleaner for your tank, take a look at the best sellers on our list below. All these aquarium gravel cleaners are available to you on Amazon.
The Best Aquarium Gravel Cleaners — Reviewed
1) SSRIVER Store Aquarium Gravel Cleaner
This gravel cleaner from SSRIVER Store effectively removes dirt and debris without allowing gravel to block the tubes. This cleaner can also be used to help change water and keep water fresh and is very easy to use with simple buttons. It has a flow adjuster so you can adjust the cleaner based on the size of your tank and also has an anti-back flow valve design. Even better, this cleaner comes with accessories, including water flow clamp and a glass scraper to help keep your tank clean.
Key Features:
- Handy Desingn
- Prevent Blocking
- Easy To Use
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Bedee Electric Auto Aquarium Gravel Cleaner
The gravel cleaner is a six-in-one and combines a gravel cleaner, water changer, algae cleaner and waste extractor. Ideal for regular aquarium maintenance, this cleaner is easy to use and, with a flow adjuster, can be used for many different sizes of tanks. The pump is installed close to the end which allows you to clean the tanks with lower water level compared with other cleaners and the dirt is easily removed form the top layer of the gravel without disturbing any of the substrate.
Key Features:
- 6-in-1 Multifunctionality: This cleaner offers six functions including washing sand, sucking manure, brushing the tank, shoveling sand, filtering water, and changing water.
- Material Safety: Made from high-quality plastic that is safe for fish, enhancing the efficiency of tank cleaning without harming aquatic life.
- External Independent Switch: Features a switch that is not waterproof, emphasizing the need to keep it away from water for safety.
- Upgraded 3-Grade Control with Timer: Equipped with a powerful pump motor that has three adjustable settings (Low at 24W, Medium at 18W, and Small at 13W) to suit different aquarium sizes. It also includes a timer function for automatic shutoff after 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
- Complete Accessories, Easy Assembly and Use: Comes with a variety of accessories for different cleaning needs. It is easy to assemble without additional tools and simple to use.
- Adjustable Telescopic Rod and Extended Water Hose: Includes a 15cm adjustable telescopic rod and a 1.5m extended water hose, making it suitable for various types and sizes of fish tanks.
- Suitability for All Kinds of Fish Tanks: Designed to accommodate a range of aquariums, making it a versatile tool for fish tank maintenance.
- Perfect After-Sales Service and Quality Assurance: Offers excellent after-sales support and assurance of quality, with an emphasis on improved functionality, material, and durability in the 2023 model.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) NICREW Automatic Gravel Cleaner
This gravel cleaner from NICREW easily removes particles from topmost layer of substrate without disturbing the bottom layer of gravel. This device can be used in freshwater and saltwater aquariums with a water depth of up to approximately 28 inches and simply decreases the build-up of harmful toxins in your aquarium while reducing the strain on your filter. Easy to use, this cleaner can be used for complete aquarium cleaning or quick spot maintenance. It can also be used to help change the tank water.
Key Features:
- Easily removes particles
- Ideal for complete aquarium cleaning
- Eco-friendly products
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Luigi’s Fish Tank Cleaner
Are you tired of spending hours cleaning your aquarium and still finding problems later? With this set from Luigi’s, you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your fish. Fish hate cleaning as much as you do because it disturbs them and their habitat. This set helps you filter a small amount of water at a time to keep your fish happy. It comes with attachments designed to find debris in the gravel and remove it without sucking up smaller fish. Thanks to the efficient design, this set can clean a 30-liter tank in as little as five minutes.
Key Features:
- No Messy drips
- Sturdy one way valve to improve suction
- Prevent sucking up small fish
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Aqueon Medium Siphon Vacuum Aquarium Gravel Cleaner
Perfect for aquariums with 1 to 15 gallons of water, this gravel cleaner from Aqueon efficiently separates any dirt and debris from gravel and is great for quick water changes. The hose is six feet long and adjustable and has a clip for attaching the drain hose to the inside of a bucket, making cleaning easier and less messy. All you need to do is use a simple up and down motion with the intake tube which will quickly prime the siphon to begin water flow for simple cleaning.
Key Features:
- Perfect for quick water changes
- Efficiently separates debris from gravel
- Self-priming
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System
While this device is specifically designed to make changing the water in your fish tank easy, it can also be used as a gravel cleaner. Adapting easily to most faucets, this system sucks up the water so you can replace it with clean water, but can also be used to suck up dirt and debris from the bottom of the tank easily. It will not disturb your fish or decor while you are cleaning the tank and can make your life much easier! Perfect if you want a cleaner that can also be used during water changes.
Key Features:
- Adapts easily to most faucets.
- Complete ready-to-use system.
- No buckets, no siphons
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) Laifoo Aquarium Siphon Vacuum Cleaner
Laifoo helps you effectively clean your aquarium with this handy kit that features one tool that does almost all of the steps that you need to take. The siphon connects to a long hose that has a hand pump on the end. Once you place the siphon in the tank and squeeze the handle, it sucks water through the tube. It helps you target the feces and other debris that your fish leave behind along with any impurities or debris in the water. The included five-foot-long hose is resistant to kinks that can damage the plastic. You also get a three-month warranty when you buy this cleaning kit.
Key Features:
- Easy to control
- Convenient to siphon fish faeces
- Made from clear & elastic plastic
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
8) Python Pro-Clean Gravel Washer Siphon Kit
This gravel washer from Python effectively separates and removes debris from your aquarium. Designed for tanks with 20 to 55 gallons of water, this cleaner is great for quick tidy-ups in the tank as well as regular water changes. The high-quality and flexible six foot tubing is adjustable and will not crack or chip, great for tanks of many different sizes. There is no assembly required and this cleaner comes ready to use.
Key Features:
- Effectively separates
- Removes debris from your aquarium
- Constructed with flexible
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Aquarium Gravel Cleaner FAQ’s
How often should I clean aquarium gravel?
The answer to this question depends on what is living in your tank. It is often recommended you clean the gravel at least once a month, while others recommend you do it at every water change. Generally, you should be cleaning the gravel whenever you see dirt and debris begin to accumulate at the bottom of the tank.
How often should I clean out my fish tank?
Depending on how many fish you have, and how messy they are, most tanks require cleaning about once every two weeks.
Summary
Aquarium gravel cleaners can make your life a lot easier when it comes to keeping your fish’s tank clean. These useful accessories help to remove dirt and debris as well as fish waste and food waste from the bottom of your tank, so your fish can live in a cleaner home. Whether you’ve got a small tank with only one or two fish, or a large tank with hundreds of fish, there are aquarium gravel cleaners out there for you. We’ll know you’ll find one that works for your tank in our list above.
Check out our other Fish Tank, Food & Accessories posts here:
- Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank Guide
- Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks Guide
- Best Aquarium Thermometer Guide
- Best Aquarium Vacuums Guide
- Best Water Conditioner For Fish Tank Guide
- Best Aquarium Rock Guide
- Best Aquarium Plants Guide
- Best Fish Tank Decorations Guide
- Best Fish Tank Gravel Guide
- Best Aquarium Sand Guide
- Best Goldfish Food Guide