Thirsty Thursday: siphoning w/o gulping!

[SeymourDuncan]

To siphon your water, simply drop the hose in the tank and suck as hard as you....wait a minute? That's not right?

There are so many ways to easily start a siphon, but watching someone do it the wrong way first always helps them learn...right?

Have you ever chugged reef water?
What methods do you use to avoid salting your lips?

 

[robbrouse]

I just use a hose and bucket. A little salt water never killed anyone...

 

[mfinn]

If you have room in the tank ( not full to the front glass with corals), then submerge the whole hose getting all the air out. Put your thumb on one end of the hose and pull it out in a steady fast motion to the container you want the water in and just remove your thumb.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I just use a hose and bucket. A little salt water never killed anyone...

Actually it can, especially water from the ocean. Imagine slurping a slop of cyano, what if a coral was releasing battle juices, ingesting amoeba, or swallowing a parasitic bug that eats through your...ok maybe that one was a little extreme. There is a ton of dangerous stuff in saltwater though. I have drank it myself and been fine. Worst case I had was a sore throat but I've heard much more devastating things.

 

[trickedout900]

If you have room in the tank ( not full to the front glass with corals), then submerge the whole hose getting all the air out. Put your thumb on one end of the hose and pull it out in a steady fast motion to the container you want the water in and just remove your thumb.

This pretty much sums it up for me. Works every time and has no salty taste.

 

[cimmorine]

I shove my turkey baster up the opposite end of the tube, squeeze the ball in, and let it go.
Works every time!
In order to make this work the tube has to be about 3-5" under water.

 

[robbrouse]

Actually it can, especially water from the ocean. Imagine slurping a slop of cyano, what if a coral was releasing battle juices, ingesting amoeba, or swallowing a parasitic bug that eats through your...ok maybe that one was a little extreme. There is a ton of dangerous stuff in saltwater though. I have drank it myself and been fine. Worst case I had was a sore throat but I've heard much more devastating things.

Ok now you have me worried. Guess need to keep this in mind come the weekend.

 

[Russellaqua]

I shove my turkey baster up the opposite end of the tube, squeeze the ball in, and let it go.
Works every time!

Wish I'd thought of this! Sounds like an easy and not messy way of starting the siphon. Lots of people have basters for their tank already.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Here's the easy way!

 

[robbrouse]

Lets see a video Rev.. I now I'd make a mess

 

[Rob&Gab]

here is a great video of what not to do when talking to your girlfriend.... :/ this is me for your information.

I can't..... Rob got thirsty lol - YouTube

 

[_Alex_]

Wel I use a clear hose so I can see the water coming towards me and not get a drink lol


-Alex-

 

[_Alex_]

Wow rob nice. Can say I've never done that. But I empty my skimmer into a old salt container jug so no risk of drinking lol


-Alex-

 

[SeymourDuncan]

That gets me every time rob. Haha!!

 

[Squishie89]

I use an aqueon water changer. I just attach it to a garden hose outside and turn on the water and that creates the siphon. Plus there are no buckets to empty, it all just goes into the grass (have not had any negative affects to the lawn either).

 

[teddy13]

i've used the vac's which are ok.. and my siphon hose is like 40ft long so first tank i have to do the old suck n watch but after that it is easy to get restarted in the next tank.. just put the end in a new tank and slightly lift the hose as you walk to the end where it comes out (in my bathtub) an it will start itself most of the time.. like the baster idea will have to give that a go..

 

[skinz78]

Hahahaha I don't know how many times I've almost puked from the saltwater slurpie....

 

[SeymourDuncan]

The Dr said I should gurgle it before spitting.


NOT!!!

 

[cpsbooks]

Squeeze bulb siphon starter, $7

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Ok...I guess I can tell you my secret.

I stick the hose in the water and command my clownfish to blow as hard as she can.

Actually I just submerge the whole hose, plug the drain end, pull it out and point it at my bucket. I saw a lady dosing coca cola to her kid like this at Pizza Hut and realized I don't have to drink salt anymore! That or sticking the hose infront of a strong powerhead shoots enough water to start it. I'll pay $0 before $1 any day! That's a whole single star polyp I could buy!