hygger Aquarium Gravel Cleaner

Q: What should I do if the water becomes cloudy during cleaning?
A: Cloudy water can result from a combination of factors: substrate types, product limitations, and operating technique.
1. Substrate Types (Bottom Materials)
Fine sand or Black Diamond sand is extremely prone to being stirred up and drawn into the pump, causing cloudiness during cleaning.
Recommendation: for fine sand tanks, it is suggested to perform very light surface cleaning only or use HG298 handheld water changer.

2. Product Design Factor
The HG955 electric cleaner creates suction that can disturb lightweight substrate particles. The filter cup helps trap debris, but if overloaded, fine particles escape back into the water.

3. Proper Operating Technique
The key is a “lift up-and-put down” motion, not continuous digging:
Lift the wash gravel attachment quickly when removing sand and gravel impurities
Gently insert the wash gravel attachment into the substrate layer
Use short, quick lifting motions —lift — wait for the debris to be drawn into the filter sponge while the substrate settles — then place it back down. It prevents excessive sand and gravel from blocking the water inlet and keeps the cleaning effective.

Q: How to disassemble the HG955 sand vacuum when washing?
A: Simply pull them straight apart. Please soak it in warm water for about 30 minutes, and then you should be able to disassemble it. 

Q: The cleaner makes a loud grinding noise, and there is no suction when working
A: To assist you, we have some troubleshooting steps that might help resolve the issue.

1. Submerge the Pump: First, fully submerge your gravel cleaner in water, then switch on the power. Avoid letting the pump break the surface at any point—if it runs dry, it will either stop working or lose suction.
2.It is very important that, before restarting it, especially when the pump is out of water, you need to drain the air and water from the black drain pipe and the pump. Otherwise, the siphon effect cannot be formed, and the pump will not start. If the pump still does not work, please gently twist the handle to loosen it slightly, then tap to release any air inside before using it.
3. Sometimes, the water pump not working is caused by a clogged impeller. After unplugging the unit, please disassemble the pump to check if the impeller and shaft are clogged or damaged. Clean them with water, reinstall them correctly, and manually rotate the impeller to see if it can spin freely.

Q: What are the differences between the 15W and 20W?
A: The differences between the 15W and 20W are:
1. 15W has a 4.92ft high head, and 20W has a 9.85 ft high head.
2. 15W has a 9.2ft line length, while 20W has a 16.4ft line length.
3. 15W has an AC 220V 50HZ, while 20W has a DC12V voltage.
The 15W gravel cleaner is suitable for middle tanks, and the 20W is ideal for middle to large tanks.

Q: Does the pump need to be immersed in water?
A: Yes, the gravel pump needs to be immersed in the water completely; otherwise, it will not be able to absorb water.

Q: How well does it work for a 125-gallon tank?
A: The 20W gravel cleaner works very well in a 125-gallon tank, including extended reach for tank corner cleaning, dirt suction in the deep tank substrate, and a comprehensive gravel/sand clean. You can even change water quickly for daily tank maintenance.

Q: Does it work if you have black diamond sand for a substrate, or will the sand clog it?
A: Yes, it works for the black diamond sand substrate, and the sand will not clog it, for its 45° corner suction inlet is a professional sand washing head that washes sand easily and clearly.

Q: Can this grave cleaner be used with the dirt substrate?
A: Yes, the cleaner can be used with the dirt substrate. Its debris vacuum can suck debris or uneaten fish food from the dirt substrate. If you have a deep substrate, the extension tube can help you run a deep substrate cleaning.
Note: If the substrate has begun to decay, it is recommended that you replace it with new substrate in time.