How To Start A Siphon

[FreshwaterFishie]

My mom starts my siphon with her mouth. Last night I told her if my tank ever had TB...ect. ect. Plus, that is gross! There is fish waste and food.

What to you think? What way do you use?

 

[Anthony!]

I just use my mouth, come on dude, it's no big deal. Just get some listerine and gargle it afterwards, or do the same with hydrogen peroxide (JUST DON'T SWALLOW THE PEROXIDE)

 

[FreshwaterFishie]

I just use my mouth, come on dude, it's no big deal. Just get some listerine and gargle it afterwards, or do the same with hydrogen peroxide (JUST DON'T SWALLOW THE PEROXIDE)

LOL! You sound like my mom. Ick.

 

[Anthony!]

I sound like your mom? weiiiiiiiiiiiird lol. seriously though, if you're tired of mouth siphons, there are ones that hook into the kitchen sink, which use the pressure from running tap water to start & keep the suction, it also puts no tap water into the tank, and it puts the dirty water straight into the sink. the only problem would be the water bill to use it on a bigger tank . I'm not sure what it's called, but I could look it up for you. I think it's called a Python, or something similar.

 

[fishfishfish]

1i fill up the syphon chamber,2hold the chamber up,3hold the end tube down into ur bucket,4once the water gets through the end put your finger over it,5put the chamber in water and 6tip upside down releaseing all air,7put end tube in bucket,8move finger and u got a syphon.


very easy once done 1 time correctly.just make sure the end of the tube is lower than chamber

 

[Bowman]

First fill your syphon pipe with water,
either by coiling it up and submerging in your tank
or with tap(faucet) water.

Then, with thumbs over both ends, arrange one end under water in the tank and the other end in your bucket, let go thumbs !etc !

 

[FreshwaterFishie]

I sound like your mom? weiiiiiiiiiiiird lol. seriously though, if you're tired of mouth siphons, there are ones that hook into the kitchen sink, which use the pressure from running tap water to start & keep the suction, it also puts no tap water into the tank, and it puts the dirty water straight into the sink. the only problem would be the water bill to use it on a bigger tank . I'm not sure what it's called, but I could look it up for you. I think it's called a Python, or something similar.

How would it work if the tank is 3 rooms away? I don't mind, because my mom starts it. LOL

Thanks for the tips on auto-starting too!

 

[BOD]

I dont get it when people say its horrible cos of the food and fish waste etc...it cant be harmful, im sure many people would love to swim with dolphins, and what about the people who work in sea world, the animals eat stinky fish and create there waste in the water and they swim around in it!

so yea im in favor of the mouth method lol!

 

[Neal]

I should think it would be ok if you don't swallow the water and clean the end of the tube.

Neal

 

[guppymonkey]

Why not just get a self starting syphon? They are very common and easy to use. You just push them up and down in the water and they start the syphon for you. Its very nice and easy. I usually use them for my tanks and if they don't work well (like for my tanks close to the floor). I just use my mouth. Its not disgusting. The chance of getting sick from your tank water is extremely low, especially if you do proper tank maintenance. There is a much larger chance of getting sick from your dog than your fish tank. Your dog gets exposed to diseases and harmful bacteria much more often and licks your face. You could probably drink a gallon of your tank water and not get sick (well maybe from the thought of it but not from anything in it).

 

[Arfie]

I autostart where I can, but my betta tank it is too shallow so I hold the end above the tank, suck the water half way up and stick my thumb over the end, then drop it into the bucket, it just starts to flow.

I clean the syphon after every water change anyway, so when I move from one tank to another it is clean every time so no problem.

I've had a mouth full of tank water on more than one occasion, before I mastered the autostart Just remember it's the one time where spitting rather than swallowing is the best thing to do

Arfie

 

[SirMinion]

I've been starting aquarium syphons with my mouth for 25 years and I'm not dead yet.
Nor have I ever become ill in any way with it.

 

[blitztidus]

I used to think it was gross too, but that is how I always start it now. I hate when you accidentally swallow some

 

[SouthernRebel]

I sound like your mom? weiiiiiiiiiiiird lol. seriously though, if you're tired of mouth siphons, there are ones that hook into the kitchen sink, which use the pressure from running tap water to start & keep the suction, it also puts no tap water into the tank, and it puts the dirty water straight into the sink. the only problem would be the water bill to use it on a bigger tank . I'm not sure what it's called, but I could look it up for you. I think it's called a Python, or something similar.

How would it work if the tank is 3 rooms away? I don't mind, because my mom starts it. LOL

Thanks for the tips on auto-starting too!

the Python comes in diff sizes. 25 ft and 50 ft long I think.

 

[stargirly1208]

ewe i can't believe so many people use their mouths!!! groooossss!!! lol i use a self start siphon. now they do "break" easily but can be fixed just as easy. all the pieces come apart and all u have to do is move the flap inside to where it was and start again. i would love to have the one that hooks to the sink, but it's about $44 so i can't afford it right now. plus if u don't pay for water like i don't (yay for apartments) it's fine haha.