{"product_id":"lees-stretch-gravel-vacuum-9-17-inch","title":"Lee's Stretch Gravel Vacuum 9\"–17\" | Telescoping Self-Start Aquarium Cleaner","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 Stretch Gravel Vacuum\u003c\/strong\u003e is the one-vac-fits-most solution — a telescoping body that extends from \u003cstrong\u003e9\" to 17\"\u003c\/strong\u003e, so the same tool handles a 20-long and a 90-gallon. Self-start valve means no mouth on the hose, the slim profile fits between rocks and plants, and the adjustable length lets you actually reach the substrate in a tall tank without standing on a stool. 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\u003eOne tool, two tank-size ranges.\u003c\/strong\u003e The telescoping tube extends from \u003cstrong\u003e9\" to 17\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — short enough for nano and medium tanks, long enough for tall 75 and 90-gallon displays. \u003cstrong\u003eSelf-start valve\u003c\/strong\u003e primes the siphon without mouth contact.\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhat It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eIf you own more than one tank — a 20-gallon community and a 75-gallon centerpiece, say — you've probably owned two gravel vacs because neither works for both. The Stretch fixes that with a telescoping body. Collapse it to 9\" for the smaller tank, extend it to 17\" for the deeper tank, and one tool covers a 10 – 90 gallon range. The slim profile slides between aquascape rocks and dense planted substrate without bulldozing the layout.\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\u003eTelescoping 9\"–17\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdjusts to your tank depth — same vac for 20-long and 90-gal.\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\u003eSlim Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFits between rocks, plants, and tight corners without disturbing the scape.\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 — know when an area is clean.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLightweight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy to maneuver one-handed during water changes.\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\u003eExtend or collapse the telescoping tube to match your tank depth. Connect the discharge hose to a bucket (positioned \u003cem\u003elower\u003c\/em\u003e than the tank). Place the gravel tube into the substrate, give it a quick up-and-down shake to activate the self-start valve, and the siphon will flow. Move the tube methodically over the substrate, letting debris pull up while heavier gravel falls back. The slim profile makes it easy to clean around rocks and plants without yanking them out of place.\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\u003eStretch Gravel Vacuum Cleaner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9\" – 17\" (telescoping)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBest For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 – 90 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\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\u003e11550\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 even faster, hands-free priming\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\u003eWhy telescoping?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you have tanks of different depths (a 20-gallon and a 75 are both common), a fixed-length vac is too short for one or unwieldy in the other. Telescoping means one tool actually fits all your tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the telescoping joint leak?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe friction-fit joint seals well enough to maintain siphon at typical aquarium water-change pressures. Push it firmly together before starting and you won't see air leak in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat about my 125-gallon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e17\" is the max extension. For very deep tanks (24\"+ depth), look at a python-style water-change system or a longer dedicated vac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlim profile — does it move enough water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes for normal gravel-cleaning duty. For a coarse substrate or larger tank, you may make 2 passes to fully clean an area — but the slim profile lets you actually get between aquascape pieces, which a fat vac can't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Lee's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48510380572891,"sku":"11550","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_d06bf20b-2d1c-40b2-8735-cf39691434ee.png?v=1774441125","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lees-stretch-gravel-vacuum-9-17-inch","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}