How gravel vacs work. Very confused.

Sawyer

Sawyer

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Apr 24, 2009
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I have a long clear tube (Siphon?) that I'm guessing is a gravel vac. Thats all there is to a gravel vac, right? So how do I siphon water and suck up poop with it? I've heard you just suck on one end (WHICH end? Thats what I can't figure out. One end is the end of the tube and the other is like a plastic thingy on the end... not sure how to describe it) and that will start the water coming out. I tried sucking on both ends but I guess I'm doing it wrong or not sucking long enough?
 
you use gravity. the tank is obviously high and you put a bucket down low. than with the one end in the water, you have the other end down low and suck on the dry end until one of two things happens. you either get a mouthful of water (which you inevitably do anyway) or will feel or see the water moving along the tube. Than just let gravity work it's magic and the water will get sucked in. The gravel won't because it's too heavy. It's not a mechanical vacuum so you are only using gravity which is also weighing down the gravel back into the tank.

you know, they make bulbs you can pump that do the same thing, right?
 
fineexampl said:
you know, they make bulbs you can pump that do the same thing, right?
Click to expand...
supposedly, but i searched high and low for one and came up empty. i checked fish stores, hardware stores, auto stores... couldn't find a siphon starter anywhere.

sawyer, you can buy a siphon for ten bucks at petsmart that has a squeeze bulb built right in with which to start the siphon, as opposed to trying to suck it.
 
I have drank so much tank water in my lifetime....

LOL

Kristina
 
I have one with the starter bulb from petsmart and it works great. For just the starter bulb you can try a boat shop they use them on small gas cans to prime the motor. Not sure if it would be made with bad materials that you would not be able to clean out before use though.

Here is a battery operated one I just got and it worked great the first time no sucking, bucket or mess. But I can't vouch for the life of it cause I just got it today and its a bit expensive.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3728+3895&pcatid=3895
 
Last edited:
I like my gravel vac. It is self starting.
No sucking on it for meeeee :D
You just stick the large tube end into the water, and the small tube into the bucket on the floor. Let the larger tube fill with water, and then bounce it up and down. It will start the movement of the water itself.
 
I like my gravel vac. It is self starting.
No sucking on it for meeeee :D
You just stick the large tube end into the water, and the small tube into the bucket on the floor. Let the larger tube fill with water, and then bounce it up and down. It will start the movement of the water itself.
 
My_Goldie said:
I like my gravel vac. It is self starting.
No sucking on it for meeeee :D
You just stick the large tube end into the water, and the small tube into the bucket on the floor. Let the larger tube fill with water, and then bounce it up and down. It will start the movement of the water itself.
Click to expand...

I bought one of those... and mine doesn't work for crap. I end up sucking on it anyway.

Kristina
 
kyryah said:
I bought one of those... and mine doesn't work for crap. I end up sucking on it anyway.

Kristina
Click to expand...

I bought it expecting it to be a complete POS, because it was the only one they had and much to my pleasant surprise, it has not given me any problems yet. :)
 
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