Siphon

[Jesuitstudent05]

I just got a new siphon and I always hear about people saying you aren't supposed to stick your hands in the water and blah blah blah. But is there a way to start the siphon without sucking on the end? I am not afraid to stick my hands in the water but putting my mouth on the tube is alittle too far for me. I tried the instructions on the package about the finger on the end and submerging but it didn't work. Anyone have any ideas?


Thanks

 

[Great Lakes]

If you have a powerhead, you can stick one end of the hose up to it.

GL

 

[konrad05]

There are these one-way rubber bulbs you can get. Look like the bulbs that you pump to check blood pressure, you stick it on the end of the hose and it starts the water. HTH

 

[PETsMARTchick]

I just cup my hands around the end of the tube and suck from there.

 

[noelberg]

the bulb is a good idea konrad! where did u find these?!?!

Jesuits, did u try filling up the siphon then plunging it into the water?

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Iv got one word for you, gravity. as long as the end the water is comming out of is lower than the end in the water there should be no need to stick your mouth on the hose. I my vacuum tube even for just water changes because the end that goes in the water is much bigger, so its easier to get the gravity working for me. just submerge it then take it out and hold it up till half the water is gone, then stick it in again and your good to go.(just make sure you submerge it again before you hear the girgling noise or your back to square one.)

 

[karrihug]

get a python, they are fantastic. just hook it up turn on the water and stick it in. then close the valve, add declorinator and fill it back up again. i love mine

 

[konrad05]

the bulb is a good idea konrad! where did u find these?!?!

Jesuits, did u try filling up the siphon then plunging it into the water?

Well, I'm not sure if you're familiar with the store, but Big Als or PJ's pet centers both have the bulbs. An alternative to the bulb is placing your vacuum tube-end of the siphon into the water, along with some of the hose. Then you plug the end of the hose with your finger, position it above the bucket and let go. As long as there's some water in the descending part of the hose, it will get the siphon going. This was before I got the bulb and before I got the python system (which is great!). HTH.

 

[Tropjunky]

don't be such a wimp! I do it twice a month and it's never hurt me.

U can get siphon starts from ur LFS if u want to spend some money

 

[luxum]

Fish harbor diseases that humans can catch. It is very unwise to start a siphon by mouth. The bulb will work, but the best bet is to fork over the cash for a python. Those are soooo convienient, no lugging buckets.

 

[Nidge]

How does the Python work? I'm curious..

 

[StrontiumDog]

The gravel cleaner i have came with a rubber bulb in side there's a simple but effective one way valve in side. I cant remember the manufactures name but if i see 1 i will post the name of them.

The easy way to do it is with gravity ie submerge all of you gravel cleaner and tubing put yor finger on the end of the tubing (making sure it is all full of water ). Take the tubing out and put the tubing in the bucket and take your finger off hey presto water comes out

 

[karrihug]

you attach the python to your faucet and with the drain valve opened it creates a vaccum when you turn the water on, thus sucking the water out of the tank. when done, add declorinator to your tank, close drain valve on bottom and it fills the tank back up. makes life soooooo much easier.

 

[Nidge]

Ah ha i see, And i take it you use the hose to refill the tank, ye?
Can you get them over in this part of the world?

 

[luxum]

I have no idea if you can get them in Ireland, but i'd imagine you could at least get a generic version, or perhaps order from an online supplier. Otherwise you can make you own, the pump for the faucet is a standard thing they sell for filling/draining waterbeds, then the tubing and connectors you could probably get at the LFS or hardware store, or you could get a water hose like they sell for RVs, drinking quality, and then attach the gravel cleaner thingie to the end.

This is their website , you can sort of see the device their lovely (cough) model is demonstrating.