Handheld pool vacuum for seaweed

[elasipod]

I am a marine biologist and for some studies we dive to sample the seaweed and critters living on the seafloor in shallow water (<100 ft). To suck up all the stuff from a small area (say 50x50 cm) marked out by a quadrat, we have in the past used an airlift made of PVC or acrylic pipe with air supplied by a scuba tank, scraping the bottom with a putty knife or similar to release the stuff which is sucked up into the airlift and into a mesh bag. When done the diver swaps out the mesh bag (which is clamped or ziptied to the top of the airlift) and moves to the next plot. This works well but is a pain because you go through a lot of air and swapping tanks underwater is not ideal (surface-supplied air from the boat is not a good option either for various reasons).

I am thinking of adapting a handheld battery-powered pool vacuum for this. It would need to have strong suction and a decent sized bag (we can hand-pick larger stuff first to put into a separate bag).

I have looked at the water tech vacuums, they have many models and it's hard to compare them. Does anyone have any recommendations of a vacuum that might work for this? I think the salient characteristics are: 1) good suction capable of sucking up a bunch of leaves 2) an easily removable and good-sized bag and 3) decent battery life. We would probably remove/not use whatever head it came with and just suck through the tube.

Thanks for considering this oddball request!

 

[kul]

I don’t think the handhelds provide adequate suction for your needs, but let’s see what others say.

 

[Mdragger88]

Ryobi has one - it uses an 18v battery I believe just like their other devices. It is encased in plastic. May do the trick if the water pressure isn’t too great. Edit- looks like it has been discontinued

18V ONE+™ underwater stick vacuum Kit - RYOBI Tools

18V ONE+™ underwater stick vacuum Kit

ryobitools.com

 

[elasipod]

Bummer, thanks!

 

[ajw22]

I doubt any pool battery vacuum will survive more than one dive past 10 to 20 feet. And they are made for fresh water, not ocean water.

There have been various models sold and none have had reliability to last in a pool let alone the ocean.

Keep us informed of what you find.

 

[6XSBChamps]

i have an Enhulk rechargeable vacuum that does a great job with leaves but I can't speak on it surviving that depth or salt water.