We hope you find your next awesome thing from the list below!  Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to fiddle with, but all opinions in this article are our own.  Oh, and FYI — AnnesAnalytics may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity.  Enjoy finding your next awesome thing!

How We Choose the Best for You

It can be hard to know which aquarium vacuum for sand is best for your seafaring friends, especially when there are so many on the market.

We've done the hard work for you and found the 5 best aquarium vacuums for sand on Amazon.

Our team read through the reviews to find products that will help your fishy friends enjoy their aquarium environment!

Best Overall: Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium

Why We Love This

Keep your aquarium clean and healthy with our Gravel & Sand Vacuum!

Our powerful water pump can quickly suck out debris and fish waste from your aquarium, keeping it clean and healthy. Plus, the water pump is easy to disassemble and clean without leaving any mess behind.

Keep your aquarium looking great with our Gravel & Sand Vacuum!

Order one today!

Product Information

This amazing device not only cleans your gravel and sand, but also changes your water automatically. It's perfect for both freshwater and seawater tanks, and can be used on any depth of fish tank. With its complete set of features, including a 360° brush head, duckbill suction head, vacuum gravel washer with filter sponge, and newly upgraded filter, this is the only tool you'll need to keep your aquarium clean and healthy.

Perfect for Both Freshwater & Seawater Tanks

Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium

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Best Bang for the Buck: Laifoo Aquarium Siphon Vacuum Cleaner

Why We Love This

Fish tank owners, this is a must-have!

A regular fish tank cleaning is essential to keeping your fish healthy and your tank looking great. But who has time for that? With the Laifoo Aquarium Siphon Vacuum Cleaner, it’s easy to quickly and easily remove all the dirt and debris from your aquarium.

This vacuum cleaner is perfect for anyone who wants to keep their fish tank clean without any of the hassle. It’s easy to use and makes cleaning up quick and simple.

So why wait? Order yours today!

Product Information

The siphon ball makes it easy to control the flow of water, and the 5-foot hose is made from clear plastic that is durable and anti-kinking. The gravel tube is sinkable and has a detachable filter screen inside to prevent disturbing your fish or decor while it's working. With just a few simple squeezes of the siphon ball, you can quickly and easily remove unwanted water from your fish tank.

Hassle-Free & Easy to Use

Laifoo Aquarium Siphon Vacuum Cleaner

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enomol Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium

Why We Love This

Tired of changing your fish tank water the old-fashioned way?

enomol Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium is a new and innovative way to quickly change your fish tank water. This easy-to-use product doesn't require any electricity or wires, so you can easily change your fish tank's water without disturbing your fish.

enomol Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium is also bucket-free and quiet, making it a more efficient and convenient option for you and your fish.

Get this product today!

Product Information

This semi-automatic water changer is ideal for medium to large fish tanks, and makes changing the water a breeze. Simply attach the vacuum to your faucet and let the pressure of the tap water do all the work! No buckets, no spill, no noise – it’s that easy! Plus, the built-in filter in the 16.5” long cleaning tube helps remove debris from the gravel as you vacuum, making it a great tool for keeping your aquarium clean and tidy. The enomol Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium comes with a 3/4” GHT garden hose adapter and a 15/16” threaded faucets adapter, so it’s compatible with most faucets. Give your fish a fresh start today with the enomol Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium!

Let the Pressure of Tap Water Do All the Work

enomol Gravel & Sand Vacuum for Aquarium

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Boxtech aquarium Vacuum Cleaner for Sand

Why We Love This

Tired of cleaning your fish tank by hand?

Boxtech Aquarium Fish Tank Cleaner can do all the dirty work for you. It's easy to use and really gets the job done. With this tool, you'll be able to change the water and clean the sand with ease - no more struggling through hours of scrubbing!

Keeping your fish tank clean is essential for their well-being, so why not make it easier on yourself with this powerful vacuum cleaner? Not only will it make your life easier, but it will also keep your fish healthy and looking great.

Purchase now and see the results for yourself!

Product Information

Simply attach the appropriate nozzle (sold separately) and let this compact and easy-to-use cleaner do all the work for you. TheBoxtech Aquarium Vacuum Cleaner for Sand comes with a widene anti-reverse pipe to prevent back flow and make drainage more effective. It is also made of quality flexible PVC plastic for long-lasting use. Don't worry about your fish tank being too big or small – this cleaner is compatible with all sized tanks! Keep your aquarium looking its best with the Boxtech Aquarium Vacuum Cleaner for Sand.

Will Do All of the Dirty Work for You

Boxtech aquarium Vacuum Cleaner for Sand

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VIVOSUN Aquarium Gravel & Sand Vacuum

Why We Love This

Do you hate cleaning your aquarium?

Well, with the VIVOSUN Aquarium Gravel Cleaner Siphon Fish Tank Vacuum Cleaner, you can easily clean your aquarium without having to get your hands wet! This device is made of safe and non-toxic plastic and comes with a durable operation bulb.

Not only is this cleaner easy to use, but it’s also efficient in removing dirt, debris, and even algae from your aquarium. In fact, it has a long nozzle that allows for better reach into tight spaces.

So why wait? Get yourself a VIVOSUN Aquarium Gravel Cleaner Siphon Fish Tank Vacuum Cleaner today!

Product Information

This premium quality cleaner is made of safe, non-toxic plastic that is both solid and BPA-free, so you can rest assured it won’t do any harm to your precious pets. The hose is also made from a different material than vinyl tubing, which prevents it from kinking or rolling up, ensuring smooth water flow every time.

The VIVOSUN Aquarium Gravel Cleaner is equipped with a large, durable operation bulb that makes it easy to get the water flowing without having to pump endlessly. Just 5-10 pumps is all it takes to get started. And if you need to control the amount or speed of water flow, there’s a handy clamp that does the trick, preventing any messy accidents along the way.

This cleaner also features a dual nozzle design, with one shorter nozzle for draining water from the tank, and one longer nozzle for washing and cleaning gravel, sand, and substrate. Plus, there’s a small suction cup included that keeps the hose in place while you work. So why wait? Get your aquarium looking sparkling clean with the VIVOSUN Aquarium Gravel Cleaner Siphon Fish Tank Vacuum Cleaner today!

Get Your Aquarium Sparkling Clean

VIVOSUN Aquarium Gravel & Sand Vacuum

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FAQs About Aquarium Vacuums for Sand


How often should I vacuum my aquarium sand?


As with all the best maintenance routines, regular vacuuming, either once a week or once every other week, is best for your aquarium. Be sure to remove all your decor prior to vacuuming.

Should you rinse aquarium sand?

Usually, the sand substrate can become dusty and dirty during shipping and storage, so it's important to rinse it before use. The easiest way to clean sand (not fine sand) is to put it in a strainer and rinse it under running water. You may need to do this many times to remove all the debris until water runs clear.

Is it better to have sand or rocks in a fish tank?

Gravel is the better choice for most freshwater aquariums. One of the major benefits of gravel is that it allows water to flow through it, preventing the buildup of amoebas and bacteria in the substrate. If allowed to build up for too long, these can sicken your fish and lead to an accumulation of aquarium mold.

Can I use sand from Home Depot in my fish tank?

I use this in all of my fish tanks. It works great and is much cheaper than any stuff you can get at the pet store. Its good for cichlids and other freshwater fish.

How do you clean fish poop from sand?


Certainly, vacuuming the sand will help in removing the fish poop. You can also strain the sand manually using a strainer to remove the poop found in the sand substrate. It is also essential that you have a powerful filter because it helps remove the toxic compounds in the aquarium water, including the fish poop.

Is aquarium sand easier to clean than gravel?

Since the debris accumulates on top of the substrate, sandy bottoms often look dirtier than aquariums with gravel. Sand is also very dusty and difficult to rinse clean, and the particles are so small and light that they may be easily sucked up by your filtration system or vacuum hose.

Why is my tank so cloudy after adding sand?

When aquarium gravel and sand is brand new it will contain some dust. All new fish tank gravel and sand should be washed vigorously in a bucket, with tap water, until the water runs clear. If gravel isn't prewashed before being added to the tank, when you fill it with water, the water will go cloudy.

Does aquarium sand affect PH?

Most gravel and sand is inert (excluding coral sand and peat etc), meaning that it won't affect the PH of your aquarium water.

Are bare bottom tanks better?

By not having any sand, bare bottom fish tanks allow you to have significantly more flow. You can have power heads at or near the bottom of the aquarium. You can also keep a higher flow without stirring up sand. This increase in water flow can help the health and growth of your SPS corals.

Is it hard to maintain sand in aquarium?

Contrary to common belief, sand is actually very easy to clean and maintain. Although sand is cleaned a little differently, the overall process is no more difficult or time-consuming than cleaning gravel.

Which Best Aquarium Vacuum for Sand is Right for You?

You've got a lot on your plate, and we so get that! But don't worry - we're here to help with this list of our favorite aquarium vacuum for sand available right now. These best aquarium vacuum for sand offer something for everyone and every pet. We have researched and you reap the benefits! These 5 feeders give you a choice from among the very best aquarium vacuum for sand available on the market. We know with this list you'll find the perfect aquarium vacuum for sand!


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