Ki-Saber Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subzer0 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subzer0 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 my whole point exactly thankyou Ira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billaney Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 I'm a sucker when it comes to starting my siphon ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me love fishy Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatpurplebunny Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayci Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 My vacuum has a one-way valve, I just shake it up and down in the water and then the water starts to flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slevin12 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 I too am a sucker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 The same method as adodge, sucking...ah, sucks Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 Remember though, good fishkeepers don't swallow :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 NOW he tells us :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
je_suis_ketan Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RixIce Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeous Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 Recently converted sucker... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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