{"product_id":"lees-ultra-gravel-vacuum-9-inch","title":"Lee's Ultra Gravel Vacuum 9\" | Self-Start Aquarium Cleaner with Nozzle \u0026 Bucket Clip","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 Ultra Gravel Vacuum (9\")\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \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 complete water-change kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\" gravel tube + slim nozzle + bucket clip + \u003cstrong\u003eself-start valve\u003c\/strong\u003e — no priming, no mouth on hose, no holding the hose over your bucket while everything threatens to fall out. Built for tanks roughly \u003cstrong\u003e10 – 40 gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhat It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThis 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 \u003cstrong\u003eincluded slim nozzle\u003c\/strong\u003e swaps in for tight corners and substrate-around-rock cleanup, and the \u003cstrong\u003ebucket clip\u003c\/strong\u003e holds the discharge hose to your bucket rim so you can vacuum hands-free.\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\u003e9\" Gravel Tube\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerfect length for 10–40 gallon tanks — long enough to reach, short enough to maneuver.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-Start Valve\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuick up-down shake starts the siphon — no mouth on hose required.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlim Nozzle Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSwap to a narrow nozzle for tight corners and around rockwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBucket Clip\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHangs the discharge hose on your bucket — vacuum hands-free.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear Tube\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatch debris flow so you 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 for any tank type.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eConnect 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.\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\u003eUltra Gravel Vacuum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBest For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 – 40 gallon aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncludes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVac tube, self-start valve, slim nozzle, bucket clip, hose\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\u003e11554\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 — pair if you want 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\u003eHow does the self-start valve work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it pull up my fish or shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 9\" tube has a wide intake that physically prevents most adult fish from being sucked in. Very small fry and tiny shrimp \u003cem\u003ecan\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it scratch acrylic tanks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size tank is this NOT for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Lee's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48510400299227,"sku":"11554","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_20298b89-7b58-460e-bedc-50e9930d6381.png?v=1774441855","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lees-ultra-gravel-vacuum-9-inch","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}