Make sure water is filling the tube and output is well below the tank, otherwise you might have weak suction. With the siphon head in one hand, grab siphon hose with the other hand, folding the siphon hose over itself, pinched closed so no water or air can pass through. Then, holding the siphon head with the opening facing upwards at a 45 degree angle, fully submerge it in the tank so it fills with water. Lift the siphon head from the tank so the water fills up the hose to the point where you are pinching it closed with your other hand. Next, return the open-end-up siphon head into the tank (at the same angle as before) and re-submerge with the open end facing up and refill it again to the top. Then, slowly tip the siphon head over, while fully submerged, so the open end faces down. Finally, unpinch the hose and watch the water move down the hose. There shouldn’t be any air in the hose from the point you pinched it to the siphon head. Because there is no air in the siphon, as gravity pulls the water into the bucket it will continue to pull water. If the water level is too low or the tank is too small to maneuver the tube using this technique, you may need to use another method to start the siphon. This can be a stubborn process as you get used to it, but after some practice, you'll get the muscle memory down. You'll be a pro in no time! 😎
i need to do this tomorrow. first time using a siphon with a pump at the end. found 1 dead shrimp but don't want to change complete tank as one of my shrimp is pregnant i think. it has a huge belly
Thank you for this . I just purchased one from Walmart because I have a fish lol and I hasn’t lift the tank to good so this will be great. But I bought it home and looked at it and looked some more and said to myself What do I do now? Glad for you tube and you content creators ❤
The ones with the valve can be started by putting it in the tank, and then shaking it up and down. Water goes into the hose but can’t come out. Keep shaking until the water in the hose fills enough to flow over the edge of the tank. Bam-siphon started. 😊
I have the one with the hand pump (bulb) by aqueon. It has ZERO suction strength, gravel doesnt swirl around and debris starts to settle and fall back down! I threw the cardboard out so i cant even return it.
There are a couple of reasons that could be causing poor suction. When you siphon, is the end of the siphon lower than the tank? Sometimes if your tank and your bucket/tub (wherever the dirty water goes) are around the same level you don't get effective suction. Also make sure there isn't a clog in the hose you aren't seeing and that the siphon isn't leaking anywhere.
@@TyeDyedIguana Currently a few guppies and white fin tetras. Just discovered I should not have kept these tetras with my guppies due to fin nipping. Working to get another tank set-up now. Live an learn!
different types of syphons have different methods to help them work best, depending on what type, it may be easiest to get it a head start with suction, with either a pump or mouth. Another method is by letting gravity pressurize it. Fill the siphon tube with water from your aquarium, then position the exit end of the tube below than the main water source, while keeping the entrance end submerged in the aquarium. so if youre emptying the water in a 5 gal bucket for example, keep the bucket and that end of the hose on the floor under your tank- this bit of gravity difference should help get the water moving and stay moving
The larger part shouldn't be angled downward into the water after lifting it up. You should dip it in at a 45 degree upward angle, then lift it out at the same angle after it fills up with water. Then put it back in STILL AT THE SAME ANGLE. Otherwise the siphon might stop early or not start at all
Different people certainly have found different tips and tricks that benefit them! Thank you so much for sharing! What kind of fish do you like to keep? 🐟
There's pros and cons to both, it's a matter of personal preference for you and your plecos! Sand is easier to clean, as poop tends to fall in the cracks as gravel. Bristlenose also have a tendency to play and dig under sand; this is fun enrichment for them. The only downside to this is that you'll need to make sure your decorations and plants are completely secure, to avoid the plecos from destroying it daily, or potentially harming themselves.
@@TyeDyedIguana okay i also asked bcs i started to notice the gravel that was once black is turning white from the plecos sucking off the coating lol i have a tank full of just plecos
Once a week is usually what's recommended, though it can vary depending on how stocked your tank is, whether or not you have live plants, or if your tank is properly cycled at that point.
I’m doing this tonight. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching! Good luck!!
No matter what I do it won’t act as a vacuum. The water will come out but it won’t suck up any debris.
Make sure water is filling the tube and output is well below the tank, otherwise you might have weak suction. With the siphon head in one hand, grab siphon hose with the other hand, folding the siphon hose over itself, pinched closed so no water or air can pass through. Then, holding the siphon head with the opening facing upwards at a 45 degree angle, fully submerge it in the tank so it fills with water. Lift the siphon head from the tank so the water fills up the hose to the point where you are pinching it closed with your other hand. Next, return the open-end-up siphon head into the tank (at the same angle as before) and re-submerge with the open end facing up and refill it again to the top. Then, slowly tip the siphon head over, while fully submerged, so the open end faces down. Finally, unpinch the hose and watch the water move down the hose. There shouldn’t be any air in the hose from the point you pinched it to the siphon head. Because there is no air in the siphon, as gravity pulls the water into the bucket it will continue to pull water. If the water level is too low or the tank is too small to maneuver the tube using this technique, you may need to use another method to start the siphon. This can be a stubborn process as you get used to it, but after some practice, you'll get the muscle memory down. You'll be a pro in no time! 😎
Me to
i need to do this tomorrow. first time using a siphon with a pump at the end. found 1 dead shrimp but don't want to change complete tank as one of my shrimp is pregnant i think. it has a huge belly
Oh dear! We wish you and mama shrimp the best of luck!
Thabk you for this!! I'm a beginner and doing my tank tonight. I have a sandy bottom, so extra thank you for that bit of extra information!!
Sandy bottom 😂😂😂😂
Oh dear...I think I just understood the joke behind Sandy Cheeks on spongebob 😳😵
Haha i love the orange fishes reaction to the vacuum like 👀wtf😂
Lol! Too be fair, if some big alien started vacuuming my house, I'd be a little weirded out too! 😂😂
Thank you for this . I just purchased one from Walmart because I have a fish lol and I hasn’t lift the tank to good so this will be great. But I bought it home and looked at it and looked some more and said to myself What do I do now? Glad for you tube and you content creators ❤
We're so glad you found our video helpful! Thank you for watching!
The ones with the valve can be started by putting it in the tank, and then shaking it up and down. Water goes into the hose but can’t come out. Keep shaking until the water in the hose fills enough to flow over the edge of the tank. Bam-siphon started. 😊
Great advice- thank you! Do you have any fish of your own?
I have the one with the hand pump (bulb) by aqueon. It has ZERO suction strength, gravel doesnt swirl around and debris starts to settle and fall back down! I threw the cardboard out so i cant even return it.
There are a couple of reasons that could be causing poor suction. When you siphon, is the end of the siphon lower than the tank? Sometimes if your tank and your bucket/tub (wherever the dirty water goes) are around the same level you don't get effective suction. Also make sure there isn't a clog in the hose you aren't seeing and that the siphon isn't leaking anywhere.
Mine sucks too.
Same smh
Great video
Thank you! We're so glad you found it helpful. What kind of fish do you like to keep?
@@TyeDyedIguana Currently a few guppies and white fin tetras. Just discovered I should not have kept these tetras with my guppies due to fin nipping. Working to get another tank set-up now. Live an learn!
Mine doesn’t have a one way valve how do I get it to work?!
different types of syphons have different methods to help them work best, depending on what type, it may be easiest to get it a head start with suction, with either a pump or mouth. Another method is by letting gravity pressurize it. Fill the siphon tube with water from your aquarium, then position the exit end of the tube below than the main water source, while keeping the entrance end submerged in the aquarium. so if youre emptying the water in a 5 gal bucket for example, keep the bucket and that end of the hose on the floor under your tank- this bit of gravity difference should help get the water moving and stay moving
The larger part shouldn't be angled downward into the water after lifting it up. You should dip it in at a 45 degree upward angle, then lift it out at the same angle after it fills up with water. Then put it back in STILL AT THE SAME ANGLE. Otherwise the siphon might stop early or not start at all
Different people certainly have found different tips and tricks that benefit them! Thank you so much for sharing! What kind of fish do you like to keep? 🐟
@@TyeDyedIguana I have a betta and peppered cories!
I have a tank of albino bristlenose should i keep using gravel or switch to sand?
There's pros and cons to both, it's a matter of personal preference for you and your plecos! Sand is easier to clean, as poop tends to fall in the cracks as gravel. Bristlenose also have a tendency to play and dig under sand; this is fun enrichment for them. The only downside to this is that you'll need to make sure your decorations and plants are completely secure, to avoid the plecos from destroying it daily, or potentially harming themselves.
@@TyeDyedIguana okay i also asked bcs i started to notice the gravel that was once black is turning white from the plecos sucking off the coating lol i have a tank full of just plecos
I will try sand to see if they enjoy that more than the gravel. if they or i dont like it i simply switch back.
@@mobill93 A tank full of plecos sounds awesome! Keep us updated on if sand works best for you guys!
Every week?
Once a week is usually what's recommended, though it can vary depending on how stocked your tank is, whether or not you have live plants, or if your tank is properly cycled at that point.
Jice
Thanks for checking out our video! Did you find it helpful?
Is this the 5?
This appears to be the 16"!
Wilson Frank Garcia Thomas Young David
Hope you found our video helpful! 😁
Miller Donald Garcia Christopher Miller Gary
😮
Wunsch Lock
We hope you found this video useful!
Jones Eric Lopez Margaret Lee Donald
Are you fellow fish keepers? We hope this tutorial was helpful!