How do you start your siphon?

I guess I am odd. I use the old fashioned "mouth method".
 
I don't use a siphon bulb to start my Python. What I do is make sure the outlet is lower than the inlet. I usually have the outlet laid out on the lawn or let it drain out in the shower. I then put the gravel vac end in the tank, filling it up with water, then scoop the water up so that it stays in the gravel vac. This then let's the water run down the hose and I then put back the gravel vac back in the tank before water runs out and I lose the siphon.
 
I just submerge my gravel vac and hose so that the entire hose fills with water. Then I put my thumb over the end of the hose, remove hose from the tank, position it in my bucket and remove my thumb...takes about 10 seconds.
That's the same thing I do, why put your mouth on it YUCK!!:eek:
 
When I got my gravel vacuum, I did what sammie7 has posted in the link posted above. I've been doing that ever since. :)
 
Yeah. I have a siphon meant for gravel vac (wait... all siphons are like that, right?) and it doesn't happen that often, but i do suck a bit of water into my mouth. Quick rush to the bathroom, 30secs of Listerine and I'm back in business :D
 
Before my python, it was a case of kiss the tube and a quick slurp of whisky :)

In hindsight, listerine would be more sensible, as I always ended up drinking the whisky as well (with the logic alcohol killing the bacteria and wotnot)!
 
i stick the tube on my internal filter for my main water changes but just syphoning out small amounts i either use my mouth or fully submerge.
it depends how i feel as i am not bother either way.
 
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