How to start syphon without sucking

I have a second hand airline tube and not sure how to start sifon without sucking. Don't know about you but I don't want to catch no virus.

 

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...asy-aquarium-siphon-instructions-video.19653/

 

I refuse to buy gravel vacs now that don't have a little squeeze ball hand pump on them. I have ended up with fish poo in my mouth more than once trying to get the siphon going without them

 

I personally hate the squeeze pump to start a siphon because if you suck up a fish accidentally it gets sliced and diced. I never suck to start the siphon. There’s lots of videos on starting one like the one you got above.

 

I have a second hand airline tube and not sure how to start sifon without sucking. Don't know about you but I don't want to catch no virus.

You stated airline tube? Is this a shrimp tank? Why are you using such small tubing to vac?

I use airline tubing to syphon my shrimp tanks so I dont suck up shrimpletts and with airline I have not found better way that sucking.

Larger gravel vac I do as video above

 

Fill the full length of tube with water by dipping it in the tank. Once filled leave one end in the tank. Hold your finger over the end that goes in the bucket. Once the tube is in the bucket release the end. As long as the bucket is lower than the bottom of the tank the water should start flowing.

 

You s
You stated airline tube? Is this a shrimp tank? Why are you using such small tubing to vac?

I use airline tubing to syphon my shrimp tanks so I dont suck up shrimpletts and with airline I have not found better way that sucking.

Larger gravel vac I do as video above

Yeah it was for acclimating my new shrimp =D

Thank you for all your help I was able to start it up no problems.

 

I do this with my python without using the drain attachment for draining. I run the end into the tub (which is below water level of my aquarium) then I just get enough tube with the gravel vac part in the aquarium. I put a couple "loops" worth of hose in after the gravel vac and get it filled with water. Pull the loop out, keep the vac part in aquarium, and you start a natural flow by gravity and pressure that will finish the job for you. No fish poo in mouth

I actually do you this with my above ground pool using pool hoses when I drain it down for the winter to below the skimmer to speed up the process. Works great and so simple.

 

i didnt even know you had to do that ever for fish tanks in the first place. only seen that for people stealing gasoline. got myself a python and the bubble type for small changes

 

When doing touch-ups in between changes I avoid getting a mouthful of frog poop by using a soda or squeeze bottle, Just squeeze the bottle once and it starts flowing. Low-profile and the frogs aren't even
bothered by it.

 

When doing touch-ups in between changes I avoid getting a mouthful of frog poop by using a soda or squeeze bottle, Just squeeze the bottle once and it starts flowing. Low-profile and the frogs aren't even
bothered by it.

View attachment 717720View attachment 717721

I know this is an older post but this is a very good idea so am bumping this thread up for those that haven't seen it. It would probably need to be a really big bottle for a longer siphon tube but the concept is genius. Much less messy than filling the tubing in the tank and then dripping water all over the place. A turkey baster would work for airline tubing but for normal siphon tubing this is perfect.

If doing a big water change just remove the tubing from the bottle once the water is flowing. Needless to say, but of course I am saying it anyway I have gotten my share of tank water in my mouth through the years. Thankfully never from my snail jar though. That one would be about as bad as a frog tank.

 

I find this works as well, no more drinking tank water!!

1-2-3 easy aquarium siphon instructions - video | Cleaning and Maintenance Forum | 19653

 

I refuse to buy gravel vacs now that don't have a little squeeze ball hand pump on them. I have ended up with fish poo in my mouth more than once trying to get the siphon going without them

That happened to me once with a turtle. Never again. The tube I have now is shaped so if you "pump" it in the water a few times, it starts flowing water.

 

wow i posted here a year ago crazy

 

I use both techniques. Water has never ever gone into my mouth when I sucked on the siphon.

 

I find this works as well, no more drinking tank water!!

1-2-3 easy aquarium siphon instructions - video | Cleaning and Maintenance Forum | 19653

I use a similar method, but it's not necessary to hold your finger over the end of the hose (I drain my larger tanks outside, so that wouldn't be possible). I fill the siphon tube, like the video showed, and raise it up, but if you don't have your finger over the end of the hose the water will start running out when you raise the tube high enough. If you will immediately lower it, keeping the open end up, the water will continue to flow.

 

I use a similar method, but it's not necessary to hold your finger over the end of the hose (I drain my larger tanks outside, so that wouldn't be possible). I fill the siphon tube, like the video showed, and raise it up, but if you don't have your finger over the end of the hose the water will start running out when you raise the tube high enough. If you will immediately lower it, keeping the open end up, the water will continue to flow.

Yeah, i don't place my fingers anywhere but the hose til it stabilizes in the bucket.