How To Start A Siphon

[Dorkhedeos]

you forgot

yes, the water tastes good

as a choice

well, i used to start it with my mouth, now i got a little bulb thing in the tubing so all i need to do is pump it. the only sickness ive gotten from drinking fish water is herpes, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, heptitis C, and HIV. no big deal












haha, im just kidding

 

[lisie]

I use my mouth. No big deal.

 

[Synirr]

I normally use a python, but on the rare occasion I use a real syphon, I start it with my mouth.

 

[anvil63]

Always start by mouth and have only gotten a mouthful of water 4-5 times in almost 15 years (Long hoses are good). Also unless you have HIV or are on chemotherapy or other immunosuppresion it is almost impossible to get an infection systemically from your tank.

Carl

 

[dwarfgourami]

Haven't really got an opinion on whether it's gross to start with your mouth- but if you've got one of the common gravel vacs, with a plastic head attached to your pipe, it's simply not worth the trouble, they start if you move them gently up and down in the water.

 

[jarcher1390]

the bacteria would make your white blood cells better

 

[SPLiSH]

I use my mouth, I rarely get any water in it.

 

[karlp]

I use a Hagen syphon starter bulb that slots into the pipe. Works fine whenever I need a syphon, I use it with water changes and priming the external filters.

Forget the bacteria, it's the fishes parasites and worms that I don't fancy ingesting.

 

[@ombomb]

For a short hose:

Dip the entire tube in the water, make sure there is no air inside, cover one end with your thumb and put it into the container you are siphoning it into and remove your thumb.

 

[big mick]

I always start it with my mouth, its much quicker.

 

[Jules H-T]

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.

Ditto.

I have to start 8 siphons off just to do a water change, can't be bothered buggering about doing it any other way.

 

[Dubby]

Take the syphon to a tap and fill it until there is no air inside. Cover one end with your thumb and put it into the bucket/container you are siphoning into and remove your thumb.

 

[juliehainsworth]

I've always used my mouth those other ones where you giggle it about are just too annoying and probably stress out the fish way too much! The only other way I'd do it is using one of the pumps at the end of the tube which sucks it through for you but thats no fun!

 

[Kombat]

I use my mouth and rinse the syphon when I'm done. I've been keeping for 2 1/2 months and only had a mouthful once, and that was my second attempt. I just watch the hose and as soon as I see the water come up over the tank wall and down I stop sucking and get the hose in the bucket. As soon as the water starts downward you got a syphon going.

Karl

 

[karen84]

i use my mouth its grand