The 12 Best Small FISHTANK Vacua (2023 reviews)

The laifoo small fishtank vacuum is capable of outshining several other vacuum featured in this list in overall features. It works great and the check value hand pump attachment is great so you no longer have to prime by using your mouth. It maintains suction throughout the whole time you're using it. It has a nice long hose to make it easier to empty/change the water in the tank.

There is a plastic ledge on the inside of these types of tanks. It is easy to use, and the removable filter piece is a huge bonus. The suction head is a bit narrow compared to others.

Why We Like This:

Made hardest part of fishkeeping easier
Suctions well, fast set-up and easy to use
Just the right amount of suction
Works really well for aquarium clean up

Best For someone With More Tanks: Luigis Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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The luigis small fishtank vacuum's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. This siphon is sleek and has a wide shower head to suck things up which make it easy to vacuum the top of the substrate and to get things out of the water. It takes about 2-4 squeezes and it sucks the water. It has a screen on the end that is easy to remove to make water changes faster. It is analog and doesn't require any other equipment.

The filter on the front end keeps rocks and other objects. It is good enough to thoroughly clean gravel that's filthy. This is great to use around your fishes that don't get sucked in, there is a good pump to it. It is easy to use, 2-3 squeezes and it’s a constant pour.

Why We Like This:

Easy to vacuum sand bed and siphon water from the tank
Amazing, and affordable device for aquatic tank maintenance
Good investment for long term

Best For removing little excess Debris: Aqueon Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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If you often find yourself confused about convenient and suitable vacuum, aqueon small fishtank vacuum should be your first option for buying. Different siphon gravel vacuum sizes are available to accommodate all aquariums. It doesn't take long and it's easy to do once you know how to work it. It cleans the bottom of the tank really well, and picks up all the plant and food debris. It doesn't drain all of the water super fast but has the suction needed to clean the gravel and the automatic priming worked phenomenally. It makes water changes quick, but it also does suck up smaller gravel and make it hard to get a good gravel cleaning in if you want to clean all of it.

It can be used on 5 gallon and 20 gallon tanks with no issues. The "bucket clip" is a neat feature that keeps the hose from falling out of the tank really well, and picks up all the plant and food debris.

Why We Like This:

Has great suction once you get it to start sucking
Decent vacuum for the smaller tanks
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For Cleaning A Small rank: Aquaneat Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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Next on the list, we've got yet another vacuum that manages to win our hearts. It's the aquaneat small fishtank vacuum and it's widely considered as vacuum that has the most suitable features. It makes water changes and tank cleanings a breeze and cuts out a bunch of the work. It's easy on the wallet and effective. The suction bulb is below the siphon and it works perfectly. It has a filter on the suction end to prevent gravel from being sucked out of your tank. It is also useful outdoors, after a heavy rain, to remove excess water from a cachepot holding heavy/large potted plants. It is good for short long tanks though. It is easy to use with the siphon pump.

Why We Like This:

Perfect for cleaning a small rank
Good no frills siphon and does what its supposed to do, siphon water
Good investment for long term

Best For One person: Upettools Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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The upettools small fishtank vacuum is suitable and reliable and fits well with your regular usage. The upgraded aquarium gravel vacuum cleaner has 6 in 1 functions with water changer + sand washer + debris cleaning + water filter + water shower + water flow. It works well, and catches a lot of debris. It is used for clean gravel, absorb dirt, change water, wash sand, and suck the stool. The suction is good and the motor is efficient and quite as well.

The suction power is great and this tool can be used as a filter. The pump is very powerful so if you have small fish that follow you around when you are in the tank you might want to remove them put in a bowl with their own water while you do this. It makes a messy job so much easier. It is perfect to clean the bottom for daily water changes.

Why We Like This:

Good tool to clean the aquarium, easy to assemble and well made
Uv sterilizers work adequately in tanks
Great product for cleaning tank or removing water
Worked great cleaning a turtle tank

Best For Betta Fish: Qzq Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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Best part: qzq small fishtank vacuum costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. The Aquarium siphon outlet pipe of the filter basket is also equipped with filter, which not only avoids gravel blocking and all kinds of dirt, but also protect your lovely fish and small gravel from suction out of the tank. It is equipped with two internal thickened airbags which can pump the water quickly. It has a practical clip to attach the hose to a bucket.

The Fine nylon mesh net lining is carefully designed for the fish safety, so it will not harm the fish scales and aiding safe quick release, a great tool for catching your fish when routine tank cleaning. There’s an attachment that allows you to adjust or stop the water flow. Suction is perfect and it is so easy to use. It is suitable for fish plants or cleaning out debris from the tank as well.

Why We Like This:

Easy to use and assemble works well
Perfect for a small and large fish tanks
Makes cleaning the tank much easier, and had no problems or a mess
Easy to clean gravel with this

Best For smaller aquariums: STARROAD-TIM Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate vacuum. The starroad-tim small fishtank vacuum is exactly that - it's a simple vacuum that hits all the right notes. This gravel cleaner is easy to assemble and cleans the gravel exceptionally well. It offers a quick, clean, and easy way to syphon water, clean sand and substrate, and scrap algae and buildup from the glass panels. It is made of high-quality pvc material, and the fish tank cleaner has a built-in filter that can separate the fish excrement, prevent gravel clogging, and keep your fish safe.

The built in button that siphons the water for you makes it 100% easier than other styles. It can easily clean the sand and sweep the trash at the bottom. The little push button is solid and pump water out easily. The built in button that siphons the water makes it 100% easier than other styles. It is easy to assemble and cleans the gravel exceptionally well.

Why We Like This:

Extremely easy but flimsy silicone tubing
Works especially well if you have lightly grained gravel
Easy to handle and clean the sand, good suction and no clogging
Makes cleaning the gravel and gems so much easier than hand suction tube

Best For Aquarium Water changes: Hygger Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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Not everyone likes to purchase vacuum for their regular usage, but the hygger small fishtank vacuum would be an anomoly. It is a great water vacuum for an above ground 15 foot pool. It also comes with a clip to keep the hose in the bucket. The clip to secure to a bucket is a nice feature. It works well getting debris out of the bottom material. The tubing could be a little more flexible.

There is an extension for the tube that goes into the tank, so you wont need to get your hands in the water. It will clog pretty quick plus make regular maintenance a breeze. The hose stop clip definitely comes in handy. It is a very nice system for a bigger tank.

Why We Like This:

Suction amazing and huge time saver
Great for crushed coral/aragonite sand tanks
Cleans debris off the bottom with ease
Easy to use and even easier to assemble

Best For pond: AQQA Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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Aqqa line of vacuum come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The 110V/20W powerful water pump motor can provide the maximum flow of 320gph. It includes 2 sections of extension tubes, 1 filter bag, 1 outlet hose, 1 sand washing head, 1 brush head, 1 sand vacuum, 1 water intake strainer, 1 duckbill suction inlet, 1 shower head, 1 power adapter. This pump easily pumps the water 20 feet away into the sink. It also includes a booklet on how to put together with a nice storage box once it dries.

The brush head helps to clean rocks (1 tank with gravel) and the water intake cleaner can also be used to scrape algae of glass as well. It is made of plastic. This works perfect for cleaning the bottom of the tank out. It comes with a longer outlet hose.

Why We Like This:

Super helpful at pulling out the water
Can be done in under 2.5 hours even adding water back to tanks
Well packed and organized, lots of adapters for different substrate and it works great
Makes cleaning a fish tank much easier

Best For Cleaning Fish waste: YCTECH Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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If you want nothing but the best suitable vacuum, then yctech small fishtank vacuum is the one you should definitely consider. This is another great way to keep the nitrites in check. It features a unique handle design, convenient to use, and user-friendly design that makes people feel relaxed and comfortable when using it. The vacuum gets the materials on the surface and floating in the water column. It cleans gravel well and additionally will fit the 10 gallon tank.

The filter is cleanable. It does filter larger debris like poop. It will recycle the water just picking up the nasty stuff. It is good for maintaining a clean tank.

Why We Like This:

Good at filtering out snail hatchlings
Makes cleaning and water changing much easier
Good investment for long term

Best For Betta Tank: Sungrow Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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The sungrow small fishtank vacuum's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The short nozzle feature of sungrow aquarium sand and substrate cleaner is perfect when you want to replenish or drain water out of your tank. It comes with a short nozzle with nozzle net, flexible standard tubing, operation/pump bulb, and discharge hose. It is great for removing water in your aquarium. While all these parts can be adjusted and modified as per your needs, the operation bulb or the hand starter is the unique component that sets it apart from other similar items in the market.

The suction power is great and quick. It comes with a short nozzle siphon kit by sungrow, you can do it frequently and it will not take much of your time. It is great for a small fish tank.

Why We Like This:

Very easy to use and store away
Excellent sucking power, easy to assemble and use
Delivers what they promise

Best For large Fish Tanks: Pulaco Small FISHTANK Vacuum

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If you want nothing but a vacuum that is satisfactory, this pulaco small fishtank vacuum is certainly a best investment. Pulaco provides you with quality aquarium equipment and services. It really cleans out the gunk in the tank and it flushes the dirty water through the tubing and a big plastic picture works really well. It is suitable for large fish tanks less than 3ft (92cm) depth. It's also very simple to clean before putting away and comes with some great attachments.

The assembly is easy by attaching a few parts. It's also suitable for large fish tanks with less than 3ft (92cm) depth. This absolutely wins over dirty fish tank water accidentally in your mouth. The package includes a dedicated tank brushes, to help you clean the tank glass more efficiently.

Why We Like This:

Love the ease of setup and cleaning the tubes when finished
Super easy, fast process on a 3 gal tank
Makes cleaning up after one little beta fish super quick and easy