{"product_id":"lees-12-inch-slim-gravel-vacuum","title":"Lee's 12\" Slim Gravel Vacuum | Self-Start Aquarium Cleaner for 40–75 Gal Tanks","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .aq-pd { font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #1a1a1a; max-width: 860px; margin: 0 auto; line-height: 1.7; }\n  .aq-pd h2 { font-size: 1.45em; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.01em; border-left: 4px solid #FF5722; padding-left: 12px; margin: 2em 0 0.6em; }\n  .aq-pd p { margin: 0.5em 0 1em; }\n  .aq-callout { background: #1a1a1a; color: #fff; border-radius: 4px; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 1.6em 0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.93em; line-height: 1.6; }\n  .aq-callout strong { color: #f5c518; }\n  .aq-features { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(240px, 1fr)); gap: 14px; margin: 1em 0 1.6em; }\n  .aq-feature-card { background: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; padding: 14px 16px; border-left: 3px solid #FF5722; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em; }\n  .aq-feature-card strong { display: block; margin-bottom: 3px; color: #1a1a1a; }\n  .aq-feature-card span { color: #555; }\n  .aq-specs-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 1em; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.93em; }\n  .aq-specs-table th { background: #1a1a1a; color: #fff; text-align: left; padding: 9px 14px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.04em; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.82em; }\n  .aq-specs-table td { padding: 8px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; vertical-align: top; }\n  .aq-specs-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: #f9f9f9; }\n  .aq-specs-table td:first-child { font-weight: 600; width: 45%; color: #444; }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-pd\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLee's 12\" Slim Gravel Vacuum\u003c\/strong\u003e is the right-sized vac for 40–75 gallon tanks — a 12-inch slim profile tube that reaches deeper than the standard 9\" vac without becoming unwieldy in a planted scape. Self-start valve primes the siphon without mouth contact, and the included hose clip keeps your discharge hose attached to your bucket so you can vacuum hands-free. Browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/cleaners\"\u003eaquarium cleaners\u003c\/a\u003e or shop \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003emaintenance \u0026amp; water care\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"aq-callout\"\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eThe right vac for 40 – 75 gallon tanks.\u003c\/strong\u003e 12\" reaches deeper than a 9\" vac without telescoping joints to fuss with, and the \u003cstrong\u003eslim profile\u003c\/strong\u003e slides between aquascape rocks and dense plant carpets where a fat vac can't go. \u003cstrong\u003eSelf-start valve\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ehose clip\u003c\/strong\u003e included.\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhat It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe sweet-spot vac for medium-to-large tanks. The 12\" tube reaches the substrate in a 40-breeder, 55-gallon, 65, or 75-gallon without standing on a stool, while the slim body lets you actually maneuver between rocks and plants. The \u003cstrong\u003ehose clip\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps the discharge end of your hose hooked to the bucket rim — no more popping out at the wrong moment and soaking the floor. Self-start valve means no mouth on the hose, ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"aq-features\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12\" Slim Tube\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRight-sized for 40–75 gal tanks — long reach, slim profile.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-Start Valve\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUp-and-down motion primes the siphon — no mouth on hose.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHose Clip Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClips the discharge end to your bucket rim — vacuum hands-free.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlim Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFits between aquascape rocks and dense plants where a fat vac can't.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear Tube\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatch debris pass to know when an area is clean.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater \u0026amp; Saltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInert materials safe in any tank, including reef.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eConnect the discharge hose to a bucket positioned \u003cem\u003elower\u003c\/em\u003e than the tank. Clip the hose to the bucket rim with the included clip. Place the vac tube into the substrate and give it a quick up-and-down shake — the self-start valve will prime the siphon and water will begin flowing. Move methodically across the substrate, letting debris and mulm pull up while heavier gravel falls back. Use 25%-water-change vacuuming as a routine; deep-clean a third of the substrate per session to avoid disturbing your beneficial bacteria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"aq-specs-table\"\u003e\n    \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eValue\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLee's Aquarium \u0026amp; Pet Products\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\" Slim Gravel Vacuum Cleaner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBest For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 – 75 gallon aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Start\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncludes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVac tube, hose clip, discharge hose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProfile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlim — fits between rocks \u0026amp; plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater \u0026amp; saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11549\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLee's Squeeze-Bulb Siphon Starter — for hands-free priming if the self-start valve isn't fast enough for you\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/cleaners\"\u003eaquarium cleaners \u0026amp; gravel vacs\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBrowse \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003emaintenance \u0026amp; water care\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9\" vs 12\" vs Stretch — which one for me?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePick the \u003cstrong\u003e9\"\u003c\/strong\u003e for tanks 10–40 gallons. Pick the \u003cstrong\u003e12\"\u003c\/strong\u003e for tanks 40–75 gallons (this one). Pick the \u003cstrong\u003eStretch (9\"–17\")\u003c\/strong\u003e if you have multiple tanks of different depths and want one tool that fits all of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it scratch my acrylic tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe plastic body is non-abrasive against acrylic, but don't press the vac tube hard against the wall. Gentle substrate-level use is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I gravel vac?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost freshwater keepers vacuum during weekly or bi-weekly water changes. Deep-clean a third of the substrate per session — never the whole tank — to avoid disturbing the established beneficial bacteria colony in the substrate. Reef tanks rarely need substrate vacuuming since they're typically bare-bottom or shallow sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it work with planted tank substrates?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the slim profile is actually ideal for planted tanks where you need to clean between stems and around carpet plants without uprooting them. Hover just above the carpet rather than burying the tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Lee's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48510377951451,"sku":"11549","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_bc47fef3-829d-409e-aa5f-bbda879b423d.png?v=1774440934","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lees-12-inch-slim-gravel-vacuum","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}