Gravel Vac and new hood?

[Dukeskeeper36]

I keep having people recommend a gravel vac for my 30 gal freshwater tank. I was hoping somebody could explain how they work and recommend which one to get, if i should even get one. I have real plants and for some reasons they shed a lot of leaves. My ciclids like to sit "in" them but it makes a big mess. And of course there is a lot of poop and leftover food stuff.

Also as i bought this tank used, it came with lots of stuff. It came with a single light hood and a bulb. While it 'works', it flickers very badly. I don't want to give my poor fish a seizure so i only have the light on sometimes. Its very disapointing. My dad is a carpenter/handyman and he says the light bulb is just fine, but there is a lot of corrosion on the prongs where the bulb sits. I'm short on money, so I'm looking to find a cheap one, or fix what i have.

Please let me know of any advice!! : ]

[J-P]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl9B20Z7b9c

that is the most simple way to describe it... just a siphon with a large mouth. Costs $5-10

as for the hood... try some CLR and make sure it is dry before trying it again