CatladyDane

Using a turkey baster to remove leftover food scraps & fish droppings between regular weekly cleanings in a 10g tank sounded so sensible - even more so than my idea of using a long drinking straw with a finger over the top end. Ok, so I am completely incompetent in the kitchen. What is the secret to operating this seemingly simple device? I squeeze the bulb, insert into tank, & release the bulb long enough to pick up the debris. Then I lift and it all falls out back into the tank - every time! By now my fish probably think my (clean) hands and forearms are just funny looking tank mates. Thank you.

Allie

I have the same problem. Just take it out of the water upside down so the dirty water won't fall out.

Lucy

That's hard to do it a 5g hex.

If I manage not to shoot air out sending the waste around the tank, I put my finger over the end and lift it out.

Allie

True, lol.

COBettaCouple

We have a couple 5g hex tanks that I clean with a turkey baster. The trick is to pull the turkey baster back up while still sucking water in. You could also hold a cup or container to empty the turkey baster into so that you don't have to move it so far.