Syphoning help

[caseyface]

I have a little syphon hose. It's not automatic like a python. Actually, I bought a python but it is compatible with my sink

What is the easiest way to hand start a syphon? Right now I'm just vigerously shaking the hose in the water until a very weak vaccum starts. It's really hard and time consuming. Is there another way to do this?

 

[Blueiz]

You can start a reg syphon just as you start a python syphon. As far as teh python not hooking to your sink, you can buy adaptars for that.

Check this thread out.. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176664&highlight=python

 

[leeser28]

I use the same kind of hose -- just dunk it under the water so that the end cylinder is full and then lift it until the water starts to flow out of it and then quickly dunk it under the water again so that the end cylinder fills again. I usually only have to do this 3 or 4 times -- the trick is to keep the end cylinder filled with water once it starts to drain into the hose part, that will create the vacuum.

I too have a python that I LOVED until my husband put a new faucet in and it didn't have anything to screw the python onto.:swear::banhim:

It's a good thing I love him so much

 

[The Zigman]

the easiest way is to submerge the whole hose, filling it with water, and cap off one end with your thumb, then pull that end out and put it in the bucket, then release your thumb...

 

[kelly82]

yes i agree with the zigman, this is how i start my syphon when im just removing water and not using my gravel vac, submerse the whole pipe, make sure there are no air bubbles, stick my thumb in one end and make sure the other end stays in the water, once you release your thumb from the low end into the bucket the water will syphon out easily.

 

[rithunder916]

Or, you can just suck on the end until the water starts to flow threw the tube, not the cleanest way, but, it would work. also they sell hand pump kits, that you can use to start, check out the boating world. I myself usually use a modified canister filter to clean gravel and what not.

 

[Flaringshutter]

haha, i've never seen the need for those kits. i just wrap my hand around the end of the hose, and suck until I see the siphon start, then drop the end lower than the tank water level and let gravity do the rest.

 

[rocker92]

^^^ that is what i do!!!

EDIT: u use extra airline tubing when i need to take out just a small bit of water!!!

 

[JenniferLynn]

I used to have the same trouble not all that long ago. I fill with water, cap the end with my thumb when the water gets there and dunk the syphoning end back in the tank letting the rest of the air out. Once you get it once or twice you'll be a pro at it. Once I 'got it' I remember thinking why did it take me so long to figure out...I did the jiggling thing the directions told me to for quite a while.

 

[akimarain]

Use an auto siphon designed for home brewing beer, It starts a siphon without hooking up to anything and works great. I have 2, one for fish and one for beer.