Syphon help, please

[Johnnyboy]

Rather than start a new thread can anyone advise how on earth you operate the interpet (or similar) gravel cleaner? I've tried to get the syphon to work and just can't keep the flow.

Any help would be apprecieted! (got it to work once but lost the suction after about 5 seconds)

 

[Schmill]

Rather than start a new thread can anyone advise how on earth you operate the interpet (or similar) gravel cleaner? I've tried to get the syphon to work and just can't keep the flow.

Any help would be apprecieted! (got it to work once but lost the suction after about 5 seconds)

Why not start your own thread, hijacking is not particularly polite!

Other than the fact you have to have the outlet lower than the water level in the tank it should just do it's thing. You might need to suck the end of the pipe to start it, but then it should keep going.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Johnnyboy

It's no problem to start a new thread if you have a good question to ask. I just went ahead and started one for you. Hope you get the help you need.

 

[MewMew42]

hey

okay what you need to do is take your gravel cleaner to the sink, run the water through it [with the bigger end at the flow point]

then once the water is flowing through it freely put you finger over the end [the smaller bit]

take your gravel cleaner to the tank [still making sure your finger is over the end] position the bucket where you need it to be, then lower the end into the bucket [still with the finger!] then put then larger end into the tank

remove your finger, gravity should pull the water through the syphon and you shouldnt lose the flow, just dont pull it out =] if you want to stop the flow without taking the syphon out put your finger back over the end and release it to start it again

hope that helped!

ps please dont suck the end, its gross!

 

[Haych]

hi jonny, without being funny, how exactly are you working the syphon? as it SHOULD be self starting, ie give it a couple of jerks up and down (!) and once a good suction is going it should continue to go until you you pull it from the water breaking the suction.

 

[Schmill]

Ok, as MewMew42 does like sucking, here is another method

Put the large end of the vac into your tank, making sure the whole section goes underwater.
Coil the piping into the tank, again making sure that the water is filling the pipe as you go.
When you finally get the small end of the pipe under the water, put your finger over the end.
Now take the small end of the pipe, (complete with finger or thumb still on teh end), and place it LOWER than the level of the water, (and ideally over a bucket or something to catch the water in!).
Remove finger / thumb from the end, and it should start

 

[Johnnyboy]

Thanks all!

My issue was that when I'm trying to get the flow going (using several quick downward thrusts oooer!) I was concerned that the movement would/could stress the fish, especially as I've just started the aquarium and the fish are not yet established!

I did the sucking thing but don't particularly like it as I found myself taking most of the water out via my mouth and yes, it's gross! Filling the syphon under the tap is a great idea! My registration has been worthwhie for that info alone.

Re: the highjacking of this thread - I apologise and will start a new thread in future. My reasoning for it was that I did a search for the closest match as in other forums the etiquitte (sp?) seems to be not to start a new thread if you can find one close to it....I guess this discussion is too far removed.

 

[rami]

suck it.

 

[mattlee]

i have a syphon starter/ rubber bulb thing.... put it on the snall end a couple of squeezes and job done. no stress, no sucking, no carrying water about simples!!!!!!!!!

 

[ZebraDanioFan]

ya sucking can cause problems for u due to putting the dirty fish water in your mouth

 

[thefubar]

I've got a short list of places that i am happy to put my mouth and a tube of fishy-poo-water doesn't feature.

Use rhythm to get the syphon going, failing that buy a battery powered one or the pump start that mattlee was describing.

Just a thought, make sure you don't have any holes or blown seals on the pipes. If you can hear air rushing when your pumping the syphon it won't create the air-lock to work.