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Thread: How do you start your siphons?

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    Homesteader RogueDiscus's Avatar
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    Default How do you start your siphons?

    I have several tanks that I siphon by hand to clean and do water changes. I have a length of 1"+ plastic tubing I buy for the in-tank work, and it fits into a pool vacuum hose out to the garden area. I don't want to suck on hoses. What do you use to start your siphons? I'd like to avoid a pump if possible.

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    Registered Member seanyuki's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    This may work and no mouth sucking.

    https://www.amazon.com/Laifoo-Aquari...295861&sr=8-13
    Grasshopper
    Francis

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    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    I've always sucked. It't the easiest way to get the siphon started. I've gotten my shares of mouthfuls of tank water and I'm not dead yet.
    Mama Bear

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    Registered Member + MVP danotaylor's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Quote Originally Posted by LizStreithorst View Post
    I've always sucked. It't the easiest way to get the siphon started. I've gotten my shares of mouthfuls of tank water and I'm not dead yet.
    Lol, +1

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    Registered Member seanyuki's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Quote Originally Posted by LizStreithorst View Post
    I've always sucked. It't the easiest way to get the siphon started. I've gotten my shares of mouthfuls of tank water and I'm not dead yet.
    Me too ,still alive ��
    Grasshopper
    Francis

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    Registered Member two utes's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Its easy for me.....i connect the end to the tap and flush it with clean water, as well as filling the length of pipe with water.....while its still connected to the tap with it turned off, i simply put the other end in the tank i want to siphon.....once i disconnect it from the tap and drop it, the flow begins...Ive had some bad experiences sucking on hoses trying to extract gas from my cars...say no more
    We're here for a good time...not a long time

  7. #7
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Your garden is connected to the siphon,
    just place the siphon in the tank water and
    turn on the water faucet then disconnect the
    hose from the faucet in 10 to 15 seconds depending how long the hose is. Does this
    make any sense?

    Cliff

  8. #8
    Registered Member Shan_Evolved's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    I'll post a video of how I do it later this afternoon - No pump, No sucking, just gravity and getting your hand/forearm a little wet. Not that there's anything wrong with sucking fish tank nitrates lol

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    Registered Member 14Discus's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Quote Originally Posted by seanyuki View Post
    This may work and no mouth sucking.

    https://www.amazon.com/Laifoo-Aquari...295861&sr=8-13

    This does work easily. I bought mine at Petsmart though. Prior to when I got my hand squeeze bulb unit, I did the sucking method and also did the ‘submerge the whole hose in water’ method. After you submerge the whole hose, leave one end in the tank water and plug the other end w your thumb while bringing it to the bucket, then release thumb and voila.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    I used a Python Squeeze Syphon Starter. It is very affordable and it works very well especially I am doing WC everyday.

    https://www.amazon.com/Python-Squeez.../dp/B0017JHPA6

  11. #11
    Registered Member Shan_Evolved's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Here's how I do it! Excuse the underwear


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    Homesteader RogueDiscus's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Thanks folks for all the replies. I have been sucking, but just thought it would be good to find an alternative. One issue with some of the suggestions is the size of my tubing. It's harder to use the submerse and quickly remove method with the 1-1/4 tubing I use for the water changes. I do the vacuuming with the same hose at the same time. But anyway, I'll keep working on it.

  13. #13
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Hey Shan E. that was a great suggestion. I need to vacuum the gravel on the bottom of my 100 gallon planted Discus tank in the fish room every other day. On my BB tanks I just suck on my long 1" ID hose which runs through the wall, through the carport, down and down hill to the woods. The hose to the slip/slip PVC fittings make it easy because I don't glue them.

    BUT, I have gotten several mouthfuls of water when I vacuum the 125. I've been taking the smaller diameter Python hose and sticking it into the 1" hose where it fits very well. I can deal with the mouthful, but it's great to know how I can avoid it. Thanks!
    Mama Bear

  14. #14
    Registered Member Shan_Evolved's Avatar
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    Default Re: How do you start your siphons?

    Just have to do the submerge and turn part quicker. I have a strong custom siphon I use as well that is 1" pvc to 3/4" tubing

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