syphoning

[littlefoot]

I hate syphoning. Does anyone else? Sometimes when I get it started to clean the junk off the sand eventually the suction gives out and I have to restart and sometimes its a pain. I use the powerhead to get it started but sometimes that doesnt even work. Suggestions?

[nate487]

completly submerge the whole line in your tank to remove all air bubbles then pinch the end and put in your bucket or whatever your using and let go it always works for me

[Kentanner11]

Or you can get one of those siphon ball starter things, sorta like the thing you squeeze for a blood pressure monitor.

[918ReefCpl]

Like KT says, try and find one of those suction started "thingy's" - dont know how many times we've ended up with a mouthful of SW or FW while starting a syphon over the years... being able to syphon clean your entire tanks sandbed w/o a restart is a learned artform

[30reef]

Since my tank is smaller, I use a smaller hose so the siphon doesn't go as fast. I put my finger over the end and suck the air out while still being able to close the hose with my finger. Then it's off to the bucket. I put the bucket on a chair so it's a handy height. I never have the hose where I can't stop the flow with my finger though.

With my BB tank, sometimes I siphon the detritus out from the area where it collects into a filter sock hung from the side of the bucket, then I put the water right back into the tank. (I don't change water very often, it is working for me although I don't recommend it)

[Malenurse]

I think it's important to gulp down some tankwater when siphoning - it ensures our "oneness" with our reefs (in a Zen kind of way)!!!

[EvilE]

Originally posted by Kentanner11
Or you can get one of those siphon ball starter things, sorta like the thing you squeeze for a blood pressure monitor.

That's what I use, got it for like $3 at Harbor Freight

[Che]

I'm right there with malenurse. Swallow a little saltwater and then spray some on the floor, and for good measure make sure you step in the spilled water with your sock covered foot.

It's all good, I always enjoy cleaning much more when I siphon water into a single large rubbermaid bin rather than many 5gal buckets. The fewer times that I have to stop the siphon the better.

Che