February 23, 200818 yr comment_216188 I was wondering if real experienced fish keepers use there mouth to suck on the siphon to drain their water instead of vacuuming it out by shaking it. Which way do you think is the best way to start the vacuuming process. Thanks! I really would detest a mouth full of fish water! YUCK Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216190 I suck to start the siphon. After a while you get to know when to stop sucking before getting a mouthfull of tank water by the change in pressure i.e. it becomes easier to suck because the waters flowing. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216191 put the large part of the vac in.... hold it on side fill it up keep it under water then lift it out with the hole end up right.... put your thumb on the end that you have been sucking on.... lift the large end out that has the water in it hold that higher than the end with your thumb on it the water should go down towards your thumb..... repeat until the whole thing is full of water.... take thumb off end and if the end with your thumb on it in lower than the vac end it should start to flow when you take your thumb off.... all about gravity.... sorry if this doesn't make any sense.... bit hard to explain with out showing you Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216198 Or you could just submerge the whole thing in the tank, pull the hose out while holding your thumb over the end, put the end of the hose in bucket and remove thumb. Takes about 3 seconds. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216203 Sure, takes 3 seconds to put the whole hose in the tank, plug the end and pull it out then replace all the bits and pieces of driftwood you've knocked over if you have the normal 2 foot long. Mine is 20 feet long. Sucking either one takes 2 seconds. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216231 I have my vacuum attached to a full length of hose. I put it in with the hose attached and fill the vacuum with water. Turn it up out of the water to start the water running down the hose and then put it back in horizontly until the water is running in the vacuum and out via the hose at the same time then fully submerge it. Also takes about three seconds. Sounds hard but isn't. Trial and error works, whatever is the easiest for you and your tank size I guess. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216237 I use the method subzero and adodge use. I used to suck and then heard about fish TB and other nasties you can get from the water, so don't do that anymore. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216239 I really would detest a mouth full of fish water! YUCK Mine is 20 feet long. Sucking either one takes 2 seconds. One is to assume from the original post that they did not have a 20' hose, because they mentioned drinking tap water Ira. If they did have a 20' hose, sucking to start the syphon doesn't lead to drinking tank water. Of course putting a 20' hose into a small aquarium is a stupid idea. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216248 I find it quick and easy to just suck start it - keeping a diligent eye on the hose! One mouthful of putrid bottom of the tank axolotl water was enough to see me siphoning on an every other day schedule :oops: And not that I make a habit of drinking it, but I'm happy to report our guppy tank water tastes so much better :lol: Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216249 My vacuum has a one-way valve, I just shake it up and down in the water and then the water starts to flow. Report
February 23, 200818 yr comment_216251 i use a gravel sucker thing it works good as just push it down bout 3 times and water starts to siphon like $8 at the lfs and it fits to the end of a hose so it can be real long Report
February 25, 200818 yr comment_216475 Yeah I suck. But only because those crappy auto-start syphons last like a month before the seal breaks :roll: :roll: Remember though, good fishkeepers don't swallow. Report
February 25, 200818 yr comment_216479 Remember though, good fishkeepers don't swallow :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Caper Report
February 25, 200818 yr comment_216484 My partner works at a place where they identify the source of people getting sick etc and they have had traces of Salmonella from Fish tank water. Now she's absolutely paranoid and makes sure I wash my hands throughly after touching fish tank water. :lol: I think Salmonella is more common when handling turtles. There have been cases of little kids that hold turtles then stick their fingers in their mouths getting Salmonella poisoning. Getting back to the topic (sorry :oops:), I just fill the vac then tip it upright to get water down to the other end of the hose then put the vac back in the water and let any air out. Same way as Subzero I think? Works well. Report
February 25, 200818 yr comment_216517 I would have to agree with your partner. But salmonella is common on lots of pets,eg. cats dogs mice rats lizards sparrows and all sorts. I fill my tanks with a hose connected to the kitchen tap. I fill the hose with water from the tap then unsnap the connector and siphon the tank onto the garden---easy as. Report
February 28, 200818 yr comment_217210 All I do is put the hose in the tank turn it on let it run 4 a bit then unplug the hose at the tap end and wham instant siphon. Me = no sucky sucky :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll: Report
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