Siphoning Ideas......

[NexDog]

I'm sure we all siphon at some point. In my case it's siphoning sand or siphoning out detritus from the sump. But when I siphon I like to not waste any water so until now I've been using an old Eheim cannister filter rated at about 110gph. It works but it's hard work. Takes a great deal of sucking to get the siphon going as the motor is so weak. Other than that it does work great. But sometimes it takes about 20 mins just to get the thing working....so I need other ideas (and cheap ). I found this Hagen Flual cannister which is rated at 340gph and is $100 approx:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=HG10215

Not sure if that would work but I don't see why it wouldn't? I need a strong motor due to the tank height (30"). So if you are doing a similar thing - what are you using?

 

[NexDog]

Anyone?

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

You can always use a modified power head to start the syphon....

 

[NexDog]

Tried an MJ 1200 - didn't work.

 

[trippyl]

I've been doing similar with a vortex diatom filter, but I agree, its a total pain to get the siphon started, and the thing clogs, then I gotta clean it, and you can't just leave it till the next change because the water in the canister will become putrid. maybe more troiuble than it's worth.

 

[kevin gu3]

I've got a Magnum canister filter. You fill the canister (pour water in), put on the lid, and turn it on. It ejects the rest of the air. No siphoning required.

 

[NexDog]

I'll try that idea. Also going to dump a few of the foam blocks to see if the water flows easier.

 

[csb]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious here ...

I always just dunk my siphon tube in the tank to fill the tube with water, then plug one end with my thumb and put it in the bucket... when my thumb is released from the end of the tube, I have a full siphon without ever having to suck (or pump) the hose.

 

[stingers81]

what I do is put one end of the hose right next to my strong powerhead and it starts the siphon right away
I also put a filtersock on the other side and put it in the sump so I dont waste any water....becareful to empty your skimmer cup first because for some reason the skimmer goes crazy when I put the filter sock in the sump

 

[dogstar74]

I put one end of the hose in the tank, and suck on the other end. NP perfect siphon every time. Whats a few germs anyway. It isn't gonna kill ya!

 

[kysmith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6983865#post6983865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dogstar74
I put one end of the hose in the tank, and suck on the other end. NP perfect siphon every time. Whats a few germs anyway. It isn't gonna kill ya!

Yeah but you are sucking on the water that all your critters have been using as a bathroom.

Why are you using the canister filter? I don't get it, I just use a powerhead and it works for starting a siphon on 3/4" tubing.

 

[chucksta1]

Self starting siphons are availible at most large pet stores. An internal valve primes and starts the siphon when you pump it up and down in the water.