I am having such a problem getting the stupid thing to start sucking...i wanted to vaccum the gravel this past week, and i got so frustrated with the thing i just gave up..i can usually get it after a while, but it just takes so long...please advise..
2007-12-03 15:06:21 · 10 answers · asked by cutegirlin_tn 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Here is an easy way to get it started without having to suck on it. And it is the best way to get the excess food and waste out of the gravel. But do not take out any more than 20% of the tank water.
Okay, first put your thumb over the end of the hose. Now put the larger diameter rigid end into the tank and let the water fill it. Next take it up out of the tank and slowly let your thumb off the end and let the air out. Once the air is out of the hose, put the other end back in the tank and fill with water. Now you should have no air in it at all. Make sure that your bucket is lower then the tank, put the hose in it and release your thumb. Now you should have a good siphon going and you can clean the gravel by moving the vac from spot to spot on the gravel.
I hope this helps. Good Luck.
2007-12-03 15:20:49 · answer #1 · answered by John E 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it's the kind that hooks up to a sink, simply turn the water on higher, so it gets more suction. If you have a weak system that doesn't pump out much water power than this will most likely never work.
If you have the kind that you need a bucket for, then simply push the other end into the bucket already filled a third of the way with water. Do this slowly, repeating a few times. It should work then.
You never have to "suck" the water through the hose. Besides just being utterly gross, it can get both you and your fish sick and is not the way it's supposed to be done.
In the end you may have to buy a better quality hose.
2007-12-03 15:47:18 · answer #2 · answered by xXEdgeXx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't suck on them - some day you'll end up with a mouthful of tankwater. Instead, this is what I do. Put the wide end into the tank with the open end facing up and let it fill. Then, lift the wide end straight up (slowly) just until the water begins to flow through the tubing over the edge of the tank. Then, put the wide end back in the water and the water should continue to flow out.
Another couple of methods I've used are to use a turkey baster to start the suction and to fill the hose under the tap first and hold it so it fill completely from end to end - then cap the smaller end with your thumb and put the wide end in the water.
Once you have the suction going, just invert the wide end so the opening is down and start vacuuming!
2007-12-03 15:16:54 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Never ever suck on it....if you have a case of fish TB in the tank-though rare, it's a good way to contract it yourself.
If it's a large tank, like 55+ gallons, get yourself a Python, hooks up to the sink and the water pressure sucks the water out, flip the switch and fills it back up. But only worth it if the tank is a bigger one or if you have a few of them.
Otherwise, just fill up the siphon with water, point the bigger vacuum end up so the water starts draining into the bucket, make sure the smaller end is in the bucket, and just before the water completely drains out of the bigger end, dunk it back in the tank and refill it. That should be enough to start the vacuum.
2007-12-03 17:23:28 · answer #4 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I got a starter bulb similar to the one below. All you have to do is connect it to the end of you grave vacuum hose, put the rigid end in the tank, and squeeze the bulb. The water is pulled up through the tubing over the edge of the tank and into you bucket. It works super for me and it's a lot less gross than using your mouth. I think you can buy some gravel vacuums that already have one in-line at some pet shops. good luck!
http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18663/si1378859/cl1/siphon_starter_bulb?&path=c3684-def-USD-16695%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq736970686f6e%7E%7Enc3684-def-USD-18645%23%231%23%231&query=siphon&offset=
2007-12-04 02:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by cranberryroo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put the whole siphon in the water and get all of the air out. Cover the end that you would put in the bucket with your finger so that the whole end is covered. Put this end in your bucket. Be sure the end in your tank is completely in the water, then let go of the end that is in the bucket. You will have a nice steady flow.
2007-12-03 15:12:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I use a turkey baster. I put the end into the tube and use the bulb to do the sucking. It is much safer and cleaner than using your mouth.
2007-12-03 16:00:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just stick the vaccuum part in the water, and suck on the tube until the water starts flowing. It may sound gross, but that's how I start my siphon, and I have no problems at all. Also, make sure the bucket you're using to drain the water into is lower than the fish tank itself.
2007-12-03 15:13:56 · answer #8 · answered by Chaos! 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
You have to suck on it to get it going. Just don't get any in your mouth. Hold your finger over the end that's in your mouth. It will take some practice.
2007-12-03 15:09:30 · answer #9 · answered by FL Sunshine 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
My advice, dont use those stupid things. First of all they dont clean the tank nearly as well as you could without it. I suggest you throw that stupid waste of money away and just do the work yourself and clean the tank. It also stresses ur fish out if you leave them in there while youre doing it which can cause an immediate death.
2007-12-03 15:10:59 · answer #10 · answered by Katey 4 · 0⤊ 9⤋