Battery Siphon?

[ellena]

I have a cheap plastic siphon with a bulb one end which you squeeze to get it started. It's OK in my tall hex tank but now I've just planted a more squat tank, it's going to blow the sand all over the place as I get it started. Is there such a thing as a powered siphon you stick in and switch on and it's sucking straight away? And are they any good?

 

[keenonfish]

I have a cheap plastic siphon with a bulb one end which you squeeze to get it started. It's OK in my tall hex tank but now I've just planted a more squat tank, it's going to blow the sand all over the place as I get it started. Is there such a thing as a powered siphon you stick in and switch on and it's sucking straight away? And are they any good?

I simply fill my syphon tube with water at the tap, bent in a u shape with finger over one end take it to the tank, open end into water blocked end to bucket - remove finger and water start flowing immediately. Simple!

 

[ellena]

Thanks My siphon has a valve in the bulb so I don't think I could do it with that, but I could get some plain tubing. I'm wondering if I could use tubing attached to a powerhead?

 

[guppymonkey]

Many pet stores sell a water syphon kit made just for aquariums. They are usually called gravel vacuums or something similar to that. I have found these to be the best way to do water changes. I have found the battery or squeeze pump operated syphons to be a waste for the most part. They are much more difficult to use. The gravel vacuum kits are usually inexpensive and work very easily.

 

[bae1994]

hi they sell small battery powered gravel vacs at argos for 8 or 12 pounds i think

 

[gaz gun man]

yes you can.

I've used one for about 2 years now with no problems.