Lee's Ultra Gravel Vacuum 9" | Self-Start Aquarium Cleaner with Nozzle & Bucket Clip

The Lee's Ultra Gravel Vacuum (9") is the full-kit gravel vac for medium tanks — a 9-inch clear vacuum tube with a self-priming valve that starts the siphon on the first shake, a slim nozzle for tight corners, and a bucket clip so your hose stays put while you change water. Better than a generic siphon for actually deep-cleaning gravel without losing half the tank in the process. Browse all aquarium cleaners or shop maintenance & water care.

What It's For

This is the gravel vac you reach for during routine water changes on a 20-long, 29-gallon, or 40-breeder. The 9" tube is long enough to actually penetrate the substrate and clean down to the base layer where mulm collects, but short enough to maneuver between rocks and plants without disturbing the aquascape. The included slim nozzle swaps in for tight corners and substrate-around-rock cleanup, and the bucket clip holds the discharge hose to your bucket rim so you can vacuum hands-free.

Features

How to Use

Connect the gravel vac to a bucket via the included hose. Place the wide gravel tube into the substrate and gently push it down into the gravel. A quick up-and-down motion activates the self-start valve and the siphon will begin flowing into the bucket. Move the tube methodically across the gravel — debris and mulm pull up while the heavier substrate falls back down. Use the slim nozzle for corners and around decor. Clip the hose to your bucket rim to keep it from popping out mid-water-change.

Specifications

Recommended Pairings

• Lee's Squeeze-Bulb Siphon Starter — pair if you want even faster, hands-free priming
• Browse all aquarium cleaners & gravel vacs
• Browse maintenance & water care

FAQ

How does the self-start valve work?
A quick up-and-down motion of the vac tube primes the valve and starts the siphon flowing — no mouth contact, no shaking the hose, no losing your dignity in front of family. It works every time as long as the discharge end is below the water level.

Will it pull up my fish or shrimp?
The 9" tube has a wide intake that physically prevents most adult fish from being sucked in. Very small fry and tiny shrimp can get pulled into the wide tube — watch the clear tube and you'll see anything heading up the line in time to release it back to the tank. The slim nozzle has a smaller intake, so use it carefully around small livestock.

Will it scratch acrylic tanks?
The vac body is plastic, not metal, so it won't scratch glass. On acrylic, avoid pressing it hard against the wall — gentle gravel-level use is fine.

What size tank is this NOT for?
For tanks under 10 gallons (nano), the 9" tube can be unwieldy — look at a shorter slim vac instead. For tanks over 55 gallons, the 9" gravel tube works but you'll be at it a while; the 12" slim version moves more water per pass.