There Has To Be A Better Way To Get This Siphon Thing To Work, Right?

[blur411]

As I mentioned in another post I received all of my aquarium stuff second had...with no instructions. I got a siphon thing, which I'm attaching pictures of. I googled youtube videos to figure it out. The faucet adaptor does not fit my sink...and that REALLY long tube was too intimidating...mostly because I got more water on the carpet than anything else. So, I used the smaller tube and was able to do with my boyfriends help the other night....but I need to do it again and I don't have his help. I tried filling the tub with just water, and keeping the suction tube full of water (it worked, to drain) but it kept coming undone off the end that you put in the fish tank..soaking me, the floor and just becoming plain frustrating. Is there a better way, one that wont be as frustrating and will keep me and my floor dry?
Also, as I said this was a used tank, please look at the pictures for a better idea but the T bar in the center of the tank is broken, is there a way to fox this? I want to the hood and everything to fit on there a little better. Any ideas?

 

[OldMan47]

Have a look inside the blue part with the small tube removed. If there is a loose flap of plastic there, most will have one, you can start the siphon by simply submerging and moving the large tube back and forth quickly to pump water into the smaller tube. That loose looking flap of plastic only allows water to flow in one direction so a few surges of pressure and the small tube is full enough to start the siphon action. Unfortunately a python has no check valve because you flow water through the tube in both directions.

 

[Ruskull]

Get a siphon with a hand pump, they cost about $15-20 the most, & they start the water into the tube pretty good. Most of them leak at the pump a little so just keep the pump over the tank or the bucket if you can.

 

[blur411]

Thanks for the advice. I looked into blue part, no flaps. I guess I'll just continue using it the way I am until I get that other type. Any advice on fixing that T piece?

 

[TheJ0kerrr]

I tried filling the tub with just water, and keeping the suction tube full of water (it worked, to drain) but it kept coming undone off the end that you put in the fish tank..soaking me, the floor and just becoming plain frustrating.ox this? I want to the hood and everything to fit on there a little better. Any ideas?

Are you saying the little hose is coming off the larger tube? If that's the case, I can see how this can get annoying...haha. You need to find a way to make it hold on there or you'll never see the end of it!

As for starting the syphon, I just put my thumb at the end of the hose and fill the whole thing with water (wait for all the air to come out). Then I stick the larger end back into the tank and take my thumb off.

Nice foot btw

 

[blur411]

I tried filling the tub with just water, and keeping the suction tube full of water (it worked, to drain) but it kept coming undone off the end that you put in the fish tank..soaking me, the floor and just becoming plain frustrating.ox this? I want to the hood and everything to fit on there a little better. Any ideas?

Are you saying the little hose is coming off the larger tube? If that's the case, I can see how this can get annoying...haha. You need to find a way to make it hold on there or you'll never see the end of it!

As for starting the syphon, I just put my thumb at the end of the hose and fill the whole thing with water (wait for all the air to come out). Then I stick the larger end back into the tank and take my thumb off.

Nice foot btw

Yeah, that is what I mean...I let it fill and the air come out, but as soon as I start using it it slips off (the siphon from the tube) and my arms are so tired from trying over and over. I've tried plugging it into both ends.

 

[FishFanatic04]

OK. I have flooded my house a few times. Try drying the ends of the tube and siphon part before sticking it back on. When my tubing is wet it just keeps slipping off. If it still happens...does the tubing look stretched at the end? Maybe cut the stretched out part off and stick it back on the siphon {dry}

I flooded my living room the other day so bad my two year old was stomping in it and cracking up. My carpet will never look the same. Had to get a wet/vac.


goodluck. Hope you figure out the T-bar.

 

[Marnee]

Thanks for the advice. I looked into blue part, no flaps. I guess I'll just continue using it the way I am until I get that other type. Any advice on fixing that T piece?

blur411 watch this video on how to fix that T problem. It is very important that you do get it taken care of.
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=-glW-u3dO5s&feature=channel&list=UL

 

[OldMan47]

If the siphon tube is falling off, cut off a half inch or so of that siphon tube and it will fit much tighter onto the blue plastic part. It will not fall off any more but it may take some pushing to get it on.

 

[blur411]

Thanks for all the advice. I will give the cutting of the tube a try tonight. Also, I am going to try and do the T-bar repair..which I'm nervous about because I'm not so good at measuring exactly.