Don't suck on that hose!

Humblefish · Mar 22, 2017

Saw this on another forum...

As part of his fish-keeping routine, Mr Cunnison would place one end of a hose in the tank then suck on the other end to start siphoning out the dirty water into a bucket.

Although he never swallowed the water, he inhaled bacteria which then infected his lung.

He became sicker and sicker - but at first had no idea that his aquarium was to blame.

Instead, he feared he had cancer when he started losing weight and developed a persistent cough which left him struggling to breathe.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...left-retired-bus-driver-killer-infection.html

ClowinRound · Mar 22, 2017

well, there goes that. good to know. thanks

becks · Mar 22, 2017

Inhale the bacteria? Surely it might be bacteria that stayed on the hose pipe from a previous syphon

don_chuwish · Mar 22, 2017

I'm doomed!

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 22, 2017

@Humblefish, you missed the last thread on this topic....it SUCKED! *rimshot*

Lionfish Lair · Mar 22, 2017

The odds of that happening are pretty statistically small.

brandon429 · Mar 22, 2017

I cant stop siphoning its too convenient

the times I gargle w peroxide after a siphon gone wrong are too numerous to count. each time im thinking "please no mycobacter, pls no vibrio, dang it why do I have a fat face which causes me to accidentally bite the inside of my cheek while eating burger that inlet w likely be infected now, c'mon stratified squamous epithelia lets band together and make a barrier in spite of"

been lucky 25 yrs.

AcroNem · Mar 22, 2017

Sorry, but i'll continue to risk it. With mycobacteria positive systems I won't but with others I consider several cases to be a small enough risk to not try the other methods. If I die just point to this thread

Sistawolf · Mar 22, 2017

Humblefish said:
Saw this on another forum...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...left-retired-bus-driver-killer-infection.html

Wow.. how scary

5altkreep · Mar 22, 2017

Put the tube in the water and tip it upright so the air comes out. Raise the tube out of the water for a second to push water down the hose and stick it back in...very simple and no water in the mouth.

miyags · Mar 22, 2017

I'm a Goner.!!!!

Lionfish Lair · Mar 22, 2017

Ah, but occasionally it happens that you get a swig....

DarkSky · Mar 22, 2017

Before I got one of those self siphoning water vacs, I would just prime the tube I was using with tap water, pinching the end shut to keep the water in the tube. Place one end in the tank and the other in the bucket, the water in the tube starts the siphon.

I'm not going to suck on a fish turd tube, thank you very much.

rantipole · Mar 22, 2017

I bet syphoning freshwater turtle tanks this way is way worse. I used to do that all the time when I worked in pet stores. I was glad we always had peroxide on hand.

Cheers,
rant

Christopher123 · Mar 22, 2017

5altkreep said:
Put the tube in the water and tip it upright so the air comes out. Raise the tube out of the water for a second to push water down the hose and stick it back in...very simple and no water in the mouth.

It blows me away how many people suck on the hose to start the siphon, for the 7 years I've been in the hobby I've never done the suck method and always did what 5altkreep is staying. It's very easy and quick.

Untamedrose · Mar 22, 2017

IF this is actually a serious risk....wouldnt just having a fish tank be a risk? Sucking on the hose isnt the only way to breath in stuff from the tank.