Siphon for Small Tank?

MyShrimpDied

MyShrimpDied

Freddie Freeloader
Jun 2, 2004
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The siphon that I use to vacum the gravel in my 20gal doesn't work for my 10gal. I dont have enough room to get the suction gowing. I need to find a smaller one, or one that is automatic instead of manual. Do they make siphons for smaller tanks that are automatic?

If someone could point me in the right direction to where I get buy an automatic siphon for smaller tanks without spending too much cash that would be great.

~ MyShrimpDied
 
how do you get your current siphon started? you can restrict the end of the hose or use smaller tubing. for my small tanks i have have some tubing connected to a small funnel shaped thing. you have to fill up the hose with water or suck on the end to get the siphon started.
 
The instructions read, 'move up and down rapidly to start siphoning.' But the way you do it sounds more efficient. Ill try em, thanks.

~ MyShrimpDied
 
the reason the instructions say that is that there is a valve in the top of the large part that makes the water flow one way. I thought it restricted flow and removed the valve from mine.
 
Stick the big end in the tank, the hose in your mouth. Suck hard. Remove from mouth and put in bucket or sink before you drink fish tank water.

Or, if the vacuum part is too large you can get small siphons at Pet Smart for like $2.50. Mine is 1" in diameter and works great.
 
Here is the simple solution to your problem. Put the gravel vac tube in the water horizontally and fill the tube with water. Then with the hose running downward to your bucket and your hand holding the end of the hose with your finger next to the end of the hose, pull the gravel tube out of the water and let the water start to drain down the hose. When the water reaches the end of the hose plug the end of the hose with your finger. Place the gravel tube back in the water to refill the tube with water. When the tube is refilled with water, remove your finger from the end of the hose and you now have started the syphon. The key is having the hose run downward into the bucket, not to the floor then upward to the bucket.
Who in their right mind would would put the hose in their mouth and suck on it to start the syphon? Nasty!
 
slipknottin has the right idea... I use a cheap plastic turkey baster for the same effect. :rolleyes:

Cheers,
-fpsiv
 
Who in their right mind would would put the hose in their mouth and suck on it to start the syphon? Nasty!
Click to expand...
ME TOO!!!

plus, if you wouldn't drink your tank water, why let your fish swim in it?:P

I read in a filtration article "If you wouldn't drink a glass of your tank water for $10, your filtration isn't good enough" hehe. Plus, I think my tank water tastes better than the water fresh out of the faucet.
 
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