If you have aquariums, you need gravel vacs. Cleaning aquarium substrate is essential for any tank with sand or gravel, and let’s face it, as much as we may like bare-bottom tanks in the aquarium store, at home, most aquarists will want a substrate in their tank. There are tons of gravel vacs out there, but the Python is our favorite. Some key details give it an edge over the others.

Multiple Sizes
Working at an aquarium store, I had customers with tanks ranging from a couple of gallons to 1,000 gallons or more. Python makes a gravel vac that works with any of these tanks. The Pro-Clean gravel vacs range from 1" for very small tanks to 2" for larger tanks. For deeper tanks, they offer extensions up to 48 inches. There are also a variety of price points, with the Pro-Clean being the budget option. The Clean & Fill is the premium option.

Better Tubing
Likely my favorite feature of the Python Gravel Vacs is the tubing they use. The tubing is flexible enough to easily maneuver inside the aquarium. It is less likely to kink than other hoses, and it unkinks very easily. They have simply found the best tubing for making a gravel vac. During COVID, we learned that the tubing is medical-grade and was used to make respirators, which shut down all Python production for several months. This is not an item manufactured overseas at the lowest possible cost. The Python gravel vacs use high-quality materials.

Accessories and Replacement Parts
If you need to replace the tubing on your Pro-Clean, the venturi pump on your Clean & Fill, or the adjustment valve on your gravel vac extension, these are all available replacement parts that can help you keep using your gravel vac rather than simply throwing it away and buying a new one. There are also some great accessories. The Python Squeeze is a self-priming bulb for the Pro-Clean gravel vacs, so you can avoid a mouthful of dirty water. The Python Hook is my personal favorite. The Hook keeps your clean water line in place over the edge of your aquarium while you refill. No more janky clamps or other DIY solutions for holding the line in place. There are also multiple adapters available to let you use your Clean & Fill with a wide variety of faucets.


Check out the Python Clean & Fill You Tube Video below to see the product in action: