Gravel Vaccum and Gloves!

[Shaydensmom]

Since deseases can be picked up easily while working with the fish-water- how DO I start my Gravelvacuum if not by mouth?

Also, any ideas where I could get thin gloves, long ones- up to the elbow maybe?

 

[Raechal]

I just shake mine up and down while it is submersed in water and the end of the tube sits in a bucket, that gets the water flowing nicely. In a smaller tank where you can't submerge the bigger part all the way in the water I just use my mouth and hope not to suck up any water. )

This guy that my mom bought our 55 gallon from just filled the syphon up with water from the tank and just like tilted up and down and it worked that way. Still can't figure out how he managed to get it going in like 3 inches of water.

 

[freddyk]

Since deseases can be picked up easily while working with the fish-water-

A far as I'm concerned this is just paranoia. I've been starting syphons the old fashion way, and happily diving into the aquarium without protection for so many years, and I've never met an aquarist in real life who's been concerned about this, and i've met some real hard core fish people. Sometimes rumour or rarity becomes fact or common on the internet.

 

[transposia]

If you're worried about swallowing the water... it's pretty easy to avoid, but I doubt you're going to get ick from your fishies

You could suck the water up the hose and just stop it with your finger before the water gets to your mouth and then start to dump it down into a bucket. Or if you can submerse the entire hose in the tank and get it full of water, then just clamp the end with your finger to get it to your bucket.

I only do it the 2nd way if the water's really dirty, or if I've medicated the tank though. You get used to the taste of the water!

 

[morgan]

Swallowing the water,while unpleasant ,isn't the real problem. What if it gets in your lungs? I bought a new syphon and unlike my first one it does actually start just by being put up and down in the water.

 

[jimbooo]

i'm more worried about what i'm going to transfer to the water from my hands rather than whats gonna get on my hands from the water.

i never use gloves. as to the syphon i have one you plunge up and down. 4 plunges and it's in full flow.

 

[rdd1952]

Be very careful shaking it up and down in the water. I lost a cory doing that. He swam by and I hit him with it, taking his entire top fin off and a chunk out of his back.

Try this:
1) stick the outlet end in the bucket
2) place the intake in the tank and fill it with water
3) raise the filled end up so that the water starts to run through the hose
4) once the water starts to exit the hose, quickly stick the intake back in the water and it should start to siphon.

You may have to do it a time or two to get it to start but it will work. You can also fill the hose completely with water from the faucet, cover both ends to prevent leakage, stick the ends in the bucket and tank and open the ends. It should start immediately.