don't laugh... (gravel vac)

[Slappy*McFish]

Sissies..lol
I've been suck-starting my siphons for 20 yrs now and only got water in my mouth maybe 3-4 times total....and that was back in the day. It's still the fastest way to start a siphon.

 

[joephys]

If you loop the tubing, you can see see when the water gets to the bottom of the tubing. Stop sucking, and keep the end of the hose above the water level until you put it over the bucket. You shouldn't get water in your mouth that way.

 

[new2tanks]

dump the water from the "vac" end and with your finger still plugging up the tube end...fill the "vac" in your tank .

i didnt get this part.
doesnt this allow the tapwater to get into your tank?

 

[cyberbeer65]

i didnt get this part.
doesnt this allow the tapwater to get into your tank?

That is a negledgeable amount of tap water,all will be fine.

 

[rosita]

Yet more advice: I have my bucket ready, stand/sit next to tank, scoop big plastic part in tank to fill with water, upend and let water run slowly into tube (finger over tube hole) then, when tube is full scoop more water into big plastic part, making sure it's full and putting hose end in bucket, turn business end of plastic part down, and away we go......

 

[mishi8]

Sissies..lol
I've been suck-starting my siphons for 20 yrs now and only got water in my mouth maybe 3-4 times total....and that was back in the day. It's still the fastest way to start a siphon.

But not the safest. I wasn't aware, until recently, that aquariums can harbor salmonella. A recent article from Practical Fishkeeping And an advisory from 2000 on the problem: Outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B Linked Aquariums in the Province of Quebec, 2000

 

[DaisyTattoo]

Maybe you should buy a smaller gravel vac. The ones for tanks that size are only about 6 inches long at the vaccuum part(not including the hose). To do my ten gallon, I just stick it in the water then "pump" it up and down till the water starts going into the bucket, then I start vaccuuming the gravel.

 

[mooman]

I'm from the "Just suck it!" school of fishkeeping as well. If I was afraid of getting salmonella then i wouldn't get to put baby turtles in my mouth anymore, and that is a passtime I refuse to give up.

 

[mishi8]

If I was afraid of getting salmonella then i wouldn't get to put baby turtles in my mouth anymore, and that is a passtime I refuse to give up.

Ewww! :sick:

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Lmao!!