Started a Syphone

[kev]

inch worm was very helpful in my previous topic and asked if I knew how to start a syphone without sucking.

My answer was no. But it sounded like it could be a good bit of advise for everyone (unless i'm the only one who doesn't know) and it would be a bit buried in my other topic.

So if Inchworm wouldn't mind or if any one else know -

How do you start a syphone without sucking

 

[Lateral Line]

Put one end of the tube into the water, feed the rest of the tube in such that the water rises in the tube pushing the air out - i.e. no bubbles. When the tube is full of water, put your finger over both ends, take one end out and into the bucket or whetever, take your fingers off - siphon.

All that is really necessary is that the tube is full of water, you can do it from a tap or a bucket - not just the tank. If you are doing it from the tap - mind you don't let too much chlorinated water into the tank.

 

[Losi]

You can also start the by moving them up and down in the water quickly (although this really annoys the fish and is'nt a good idea.

 

[kev]

Thanks for suggesting it then losi lol

 

[Losi]

not a problem, it IS another way of starting one lol

 

[Fly258]

You could use one of these..... http/www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk/aqua...quipment_3.html
They work very well.

 

[kev]

You could use one of these..... http/www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk/aqua...quipment_3.html
They work very well.

Algarde Gravel Cleaner De-luxe

This is very similar to what I currently have and I was advised that a normal hose would work better.

Also the hose falls off from the pump part every now and then

 

[Where the river goes]

I put the tube in the water and the other end of the hose into a bucket. Then I use a turkey baster to suck water through the hose and get my syphon going. It's really easy this way

 

[guppymonkey]

Gravel vacuums are a lot more useful than just using airline tubing as I have heard a lot of people use. Most of them are self-starting, you just have to move them up and down in the water to start the siphon.

 

[lizard]

I put the tube in the water and the other end of the hose into a bucket. Then I use a turkey baster to suck water through the hose and get my syphon going. It's really easy this way

Oooh, I like this idea! No more fishy water in the mouth! (Yes, I know it's possible to start the siphon without sucking on the tube, but I'm just not good at it and am too impatient )

Pamela
aka Lizard

 

[david27]

What load of wimps, what wrong with a good mouthful of tank water, your fish have to live in it,

it hasn't done me any harm


David

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> what wrong with a good mouthful of tank water

One could argue that since it is the quality of your care that is forcing them to "drink" the stuff all day every day - you should take a slurp every now and again to share their suffering!!!

 

[AquaNut]

I've never been able to relate to this issue. I do water changes basically every day, and I do them all the good old fashioned way - with a gravel vac and bucket. I suck on one end of the tube to start my siphon every single time, as it's the quickest and easiest way to do so. I have yet to get any water in my mouth. Good grief. How hard is it to watch the water travelling up the tube and tip the tube downwards to the bucket once you see the water is higher than the top of your tank? Just suck more gently. You people need to practice your sucking techniques.

 

[teknikz]

the easiest way to syphon is doing as lateral line said

lots faster n much easier

 

[Lithril]

Gotta say I'm with the aquanutter on this one, one end in the tank, quick suck and then as soon as the water clears the lip of the tank put your end in the bucket, gotta be the quickest way, although I don't advise doing it this way if you're tired or hungover....usually get a mouthful - ok unless the vacs too near the bottom