Elvishswimmer

I can't get it to work!

My tank has a bar across the middle which makes it awkward for my siphon that has a fairly tall plastic part.
And when I do get it filled up with water, I have to lift it up fairly high or else there will be a kink in it, causing no water to go out.

So I plug with the end with my finger, fill the plastic part with water. Let go of my finger, and then quickly try to fit my awkward plastic part into the tank, usually get air in it, and the siphon then never starts.

What do I do? Is it pretty much impossible and I am stuck either sucking or pumping it under the water??

Beth1965

take a look at this, it will help.
1-2-3 easy aquarium siphon instructions - video

Lucy

Hi, did you see this vid?
1-2-3 easy aquarium siphon instructions

It takes some practice.
Good luck

Edit: Beth! lol

Beth1965

The best of minds at work LOL

Elvishswimmer

That what I was basing it off of. I must have watched it like 20 times, still can't get it to work!

P.S. Hence the Re: in the title

Lucy

I wondered that. lol. It took forever for me to figure it out. I got soaked plenty of times.

Put your finger over the hose, fill the plastic tube with water.
Lift it out of the water.
Hold the tube higher than the hose.
Little by little lift your finger slightly off the hose to release the air.
When water reaches the end of the hose, plug it with your finger again.
Put the plastic tube in the tank and let it fill back up.
Don't let your finger go until the tube is fully submerged and filled with water again.
Hope that helps.

Elvishswimmer

OMG Lucy it worked! Thank you so much! I never would have found out how to do it by that video.

I have to practice it though, cause water flew everywhere! *wipes off keyboard and work papers* but I got it to work!

So happy!

Lucy

Yay! I'm glad it worked.
I still spray water when lifting my finger off the hose. lol
Now that you figured it out, wanna come do my tanks?

janiskfp

I have the same problem. I've found it helps to pump at an angle to get the water pressure in the intake pipe up. After that, gravity works. I usually hold the vinyl tube straight with my pumping hand. Just have to be careful not to bonk any fish....

I could, this way, vacuum my tank one handed (I run the tube through the handle of my gallon waste jug, and the whole shebang stays put pretty well.)

peacemaker92

Hi Elvish.

Glad you managed to get it to work. Hope everything's fine now. Good luck!

Meenu

I bought a vac at petco that nhas a suction thing that you squueze a few times to start the siphon. it is awesome.

Nate McFin

I couldnt do it for the first several times. Once it clicks you look back and go...wow was I really that mental. LOL
Now if I could just not fill my bucket to the rim. I spill water all the way across the house. HEHE

flyin-lowe

I always just stick the tube in the water and shake it up and down about 5 times forcing water into it. it starts every time without a problem.