Starting a siphon with Zoas

[FamilyTank]

So too many yrs ago in the early 90's, I had a FW 30gl. I used to have a 1/2 vinyl drain tube with a super simple 1 way duckbill flapper to start a siphon. All you had to do was shake the tubing up and down a few times, siphon starts and your off. Are these still around? All I have now are frogspawn and trumpets.I'm looking to expand.

[MrNurse]

There's several varieties of auto siphons out there.

One example:

https://www.chewy.com/aqueon-siphon-vacuum-priming-bulb/dp/128933?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=f&utm_content=Aqueon&utm_term=&gclid=CJGsof_fsdICFcS3wAodJhIPjQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Gorgok]

Another way to start a siphon really easy is to point the sucky end (technical term) at a powerhead. This lets you bypass one way flaps (restrictive and not always reliable) like on the shake start and bulb start siphons.

[pfan151]

Or just suck on the end of the hose like people have done since the hobby started without dying.

[marper331]

Or just suck on the end of the hose like people have done since the hobby started without dying.

Works for me every time!

[JMorris271]

Simply place one end of a hose on the floor with the other in your tank and walk away. The siphon will start pronto.Works every time.

[enveetie]

Works for me every time!

also a good opportunity to discover what condition your reef is in by the taste

[sde1500]

Hmm, I just stick the whole hose in the tank, let it fill up, then take the end out and stick it in a bucket to drain. Not that difficult.

[NewToReefHobbby]

Hmm, I just stick the whole hose in the tank, let it fill up, then take the end out and stick it in a bucket to drain. Not that difficult.

I do the same and works like a treat. I used to suck the hose pipe to kick up the process until I read this article - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4121094/My-deadly-pet-fish-cleaning-aquarium-left-retired-bus-driver-killer-infection.html

[juniorrocketdad]

For drip acclimation I just suck on the hose but I do realize this might not be safe with zoas, I've been doing it for years and haven't died yet so should I bother changing my methods?

[FoxFace Fish]

Could always use your mouth that's a way of starting it

[MondoBongo]

python squeeze ball. never get a mouth full of nasty water again.

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Squeeze-Starter-Aquarium-Adapter/dp/B0017JHPA6

zoas or no zoas, who wants a mouthful of tank water? that stuff is nasty, my fish poo in it. i also recently saw an article about a guy who ended up with a nice Mycobacterium Marinum infection in his lung from inhaling the bacteria while starting siphons. no thanks!


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4121094/My-deadly-pet-fish-cleaning-aquarium-left-retired-bus-driver-killer-infection.html

[mcgyvr]

Or just suck on the end of the hose like people have done since the hobby started without dying.

Also a great way to get infected with various viruses/bacteria..

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27872397

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4121094/My-deadly-pet-fish-cleaning-aquarium-left-retired-bus-driver-killer-infection.html

edit.. mondobongo beat me to it..

[mcgyvr]

Hmm, I just stick the whole hose in the tank, let it fill up, then take the end out and stick it in a bucket to drain. Not that difficult.

^^ This is simple/easy/proven..

[CafeReef]

I use the python sqeeze ball that Mondo linked to. Works great, couple quick squeezes and I'm set.

[FoxFace Fish]

in all seriousness Aqueon makes a nice self staring siphon that i really like

[gogo7]

here's two cents worth....
i use air line (pico guy) with a piece of rigid air line.... leave water in syphon hose... close shut with rigid air line.... always water in your syphon. when you start you syphon, there is already water in it. no inhaling anything

[RogueGrown]

Hmm, I just stick the whole hose in the tank, let it fill up, then take the end out and stick it in a bucket to drain. Not that difficult.
This is what I do.... works perfect

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[EMeyer]

Discussions of new and improved devices for starting a siphon always remind me of those infomercials where a housewife tries to fry an egg and somehow manages to break her whole kitchen in the process. Then the sales guy says "tired of this happening to you? Buy my widget, only 19.99 (plus 39.99 shipping and handling)."

You dont suck the water into your mouth, LOL. You suck on the tube and move it before the water gets to your mouth.

Whatd you guys do in the old days to siphon gas, buy some elaborate gadget? :)

[Swensos]

Also a great way to get infected with various viruses/bacteria..

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27872397

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4121094/My-deadly-pet-fish-cleaning-aquarium-left-retired-bus-driver-killer-infection.html

edit.. mondobongo beat me to it..

If you're getting water in your mouth (or breathing it in as the case above), get a larger diameter tube. Fish tank granuloma only occurs if you come in contact with the water to a part of your body not protected by skin. And the dailymail is no better than a tabloid. You can get granuloma from a swimming pool.

[juniorrocketdad]

I usually do get saltwater in my mouth tbh, I'll try some of your methods thanks for the asvice

[FamilyTank]

Ok, so I use a 1/2" clear vinyl tube as my siphon tube, I to just suck on to start it. I haven't got water in my mouth in a very very long time. I was just wondering if the flapper valve siphon tube was still out there.