lyndatu

Hello

We bought a siphon and we don't know how to use it because the instructions are Chinese/Japanese/Korean, but we somehow managed to make it work several times. But it can be very irritating to make it work! Do you know how it works? It's not electronic, you press something to pump the air. Here are some pics; sorry for the low quality.......just using a camera phone.

Thanks in advance!

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capekate

I havent seen that type around. But by looking at your photos, it looks like its a manual pump at the blue part of the siphon. I would think that you put the wider part into the tank.. start squeezing that blue part and it should draw up the water to the hose and then into your bucket. If you remove the hose from the water, you will loose the suction and stop the flow into the bucket.

~ kate

lyndatu

Yes, you're right; Put the wider part in the water, then put the other end with the blue part to the bucket, then squeeze the blue part to pump the air. It will continue to suck the water unless you draw the hose from the water. You're clever!

But we keep doing that and still it doesn't work. It only works seldomly or when we're lucky. We went to the store and tried another siphon but it still doesn't work much. I guess there's some kind of technique to be done.....but still thanks.

Anymore ?

capekate

I would suggest going to a chain store pet shop like Petsmart and pick up another siphon. Depending on the size of your tank they are very inexpensive in the stores. Top Fin makes a popular siphon. The one you have just is not working for you and you really need to vacuum the substrate so that is why I would suggest just getting another one.

~ kate

jsalemi

I'm going to suggest the old-fashioned way -- put the wide end in the tank, and start sucking on the narrow end. Seriously -- that's how I do my 10g tank (I have a python for the 56g). If you keep an eye on the tube, you'll be able to take the end out of your mouth and put it into the bucket before the tank water gets there. May take some practice, but it's really easy once you get the hang of it.

ahcash

I have used similiar siphon before. The larger part is support to go to the tank and the blue pump part is to the bucket etc. Just pump the blue pump and the water should flow.. If not, then they must be something I've missed.

Can you take a picture of the manual or even scan it for me to have a look. I can read chinese.

Samurai_fish

Sucking on the end of the hose works best for me. I hate trying to screw around making them start the way the directions say to by moving them up and down.

Peterpiper

Might be ok with fresh water.. getting a mouth full of marine water will soon change your mind! lol

capekate

I think its time for someone to make a Youtube video to show folks how to work these siphons. You do not have to move it up and down like they show. That only creates waves in your tank.. uggh.( I tried that when I first got mine.) Its not easy describing how to do it, and I have to show my daughter while she is visiting.. soooo...
Im thinking about creating a youtube video and will post it in the video section...


~ kate

roxanne

a little suck on the hose works for me too just watch the water in the hose as soon as it comes just over the edge of the tank where the hose starts to drop lower than the tank itself will do the trick.. i just rinse the siphon with extremely hot water after each use and wash the end that i put in my mouth... i don't refill with the siphon i just use a water jug that way i don't risk getting soap residue in the tank i tried the bobbing it up and down after filling the tube, i finally got it to work yesterday on a betta tank but it took for ever with 4 tanks just faster to give it a little help.

capekate

For all those that do not like the idea of having to suck the end of the tube to get the water flowing.. there is a correct and more healthy way lol. I will be posting the video later

~ kate

Tavel

submerge the whole tube, get the air out, plug the end until you get it into a bucket, and magically a siphon starts...is that what you're talking about? lol


Maybe that device isn't siphoning because the bucket isn't under the aquarium? I've seen people try to siphon UP....and that doesn't work.

capekate

Hi Tavel
I have tried before to describe the very thing. But sometimes its a lot easier to show someone that try to explain it in writing. I have created a video that I just posted to show this technique.

~ kate

finmama

Thats what I do, Its pretty easy. I just have one of the plain tube and hose ones. Works great

bpsmicro

Is your video posted somewhere? I can't seem to find it in the "Videos" forum here.

Brad.

capekate

Hi Brad,
I had hoped one of the moderators would have stickied it to the top of the appropriate page for this reason. It does get lost as the list of threads drop it down the list. It is under the Fresh Water Tank Equipment --> Cleaning and maintenance section.
It is called, 1-2-3 easy siphon instructions-video.
Hope this helps you to find it, and Im hoping that a mod will sticky it there for us.

~ kate

bpsmicro

I found it, thanks. Watched it twice even. :-)

capekate

Kewl.... hope it helps!

~ kate