starting the siphon

I just use my mouth... people call it gross, but the water is no more dangerous for you than it is for your fish. And besides, if you do it right, you shouldn't get water in your mouth anyways.

Put the gravel vac in deep enough so it's filled with water. Hang the hose over the edge and down so its below the tank. Suck on the end of the hose SLOWLY until the water goes over the edge of the tank and starts flowing through the hose. Quickly place the hose in a bucket or whatever you use. Works every time.
 
Originally posted by often dignified
I just use my mouth... people call it gross, but the water is no more dangerous for you than it is for your fish. And besides, if you do it right, you shouldn't get water in your mouth anyways.

Put the gravel vac in deep enough so it's filled with water. Hang the hose over the edge and down so its below the tank. Suck on the end of the hose SLOWLY until the water goes over the edge of the tank and starts flowing through the hose. Quickly place the hose in a bucket or whatever you use. Works every time.
Click to expand...

Dunno, but I still don't like the mouth-method (I don't have the guts to try it out)... :D

Try without your mouth - once it works for you, it will be very easy to repeat...
 
i use the good old mouth as well. give a good hard suck and aim it at the bucket. never get tank water in my mouth at all.
 
I also use my mouth. Tried doing it other ways and it seemed stupid to spend a few minutes getting the thing going. Just suck on the end of the tube until the water is over the top of the tank and put the end in a bucket. If you do it right you should have about 5 seconds to get it there before the water comes out in the bucket or your mouth!
 
I stick the end of the hose in my mouth with my thumb included so when I get it started I can stop the flow untill I get the end down to the bucket.

one thing I will say is the larger diameter your syphon hose is the harder it will be to start the water flowing by mouth and not get some in your mouth
 
Originally posted by Slappy*McFish
An ordinary gravel vac can be started by simply putting the vacuum piece in the water and moving it up and down...this will create a pressure inside the gravel vac causing water to rise up into the tube thus starting the siphon. Just keep shaking it up and down(near the surface) until the water starts to flow. You'll need to experiment with what speed and how far up and down to shake the device....but if done properly, the siphon will start in just a few seconds. This is the quickest way to do it if you'd rather not suck on the end of the hose.
Click to expand...

this works fine in the 20 gallon, but there isn't enough room with the gravel siphon I have to start it in the 10 gallon. That pump looks promising, I'll pick one up sometime this week.

Thanks.

Haha, I've been using my mouth to get the 10g started as well. I was fearful to say this just in case there was something taboo or generally wrong about doing so... it is your fish's waste after all.
 
Originally posted by Lauren


this works fine in the 20 gallon, but there isn't enough room with the gravel siphon I have to start it in the 10 gallon. That pump looks promising, I'll pick one up sometime this week.

Thanks.

Haha, I've been using my mouth to get the 10g started as well. I was fearful to say this just in case there was something taboo or generally wrong about doing so... it is your fish's waste after all.
Click to expand...

I'm able to do mouthless syphoning (:D ) even in 5.5g tank without much issues - it can be started in less than 5 seconds... I am thinking of getting a shorter and thiner tubed one only because it allows me to access better in the areas that would be impossible with the fat one...
 
Originally posted by Gulp


Oh what's a little fish poo in the mouth.... It's no worse than swimming in a pond or lake. :D :p
Click to expand...

never thought about it that way... doesn't seem so bad now, does it?
 
Actually, I'd much rather have my tank water in my mouth than the water from some pond or lake....at least I know what's in my tank's water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom