Battery Operated Syphons

[Ny82]

Hi I am having a really hard time using my syphon to clean my sand. I find it difficult to pick anything up. I had one to begin with and thought it had stopped working, so then got another but it must just be me not being able to get it started.
I have seen battery operated ones on ebay and am wondering if anyone has one-are they any good? Do you just switch it on and it sucks the water and debris out?
I would like one which I don't have to do the motion to get it started as it uproots everything and causes a sandstorm!
Thanks

 

[snazy]

I would like one which I don't have to do the motion to get it started as it uproots everything and causes a sandstorm!

You don't need to do any motion. Watch this video below. This lady's tank is quite gross but it will show you how to start your siphon properly without any stirring.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa_440OaQxE

 

[Ny82]

I would like one which I don't have to do the motion to get it started as it uproots everything and causes a sandstorm!

You don't need to do any motion. Watch this video below. This lady's tank is quite gross but it will show you how to start your siphon properly without any stirring.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa_440OaQxE

Oh she makes it look so easy! I have to press the pump and move it up and down at the same time to make it start and it doesn't start for ages. I will give it a go like she does in the video I take it, it's the same even though I have a pump attached to mine?
Thanks

 

[afremont]

Oh she makes it look so easy! I have to press the pump and move it up and down at the same time to make it start and it doesn't start for ages. I will give it a go like she does in the video I take it, it's the same even though I have a pump attached to mine?
Thanks

Oh man, if that's how you're supposed to vacuum then I'm doing it way wrong. I didn't know the goal was to stir up the debris as much as possible. ;-) I thought I'd fall out of my chair when she started stirring the tank with the syphon. Sorry, no offense to anyone.

 

[snazy]

I only posted it to show how to start the siphon, not how to siphon

 

[StandbySetting]

Why waste electrical energy when you can use gravity for free?

 

[Ny82]

I just can't get it to work it takes so long to start, by that time the sands flying up everywhere and the plants are uprooting. Maybe i'm too aggressive.
I will need to make a vid of me trying to use it

 

[fluttermoth]

Coil up the tube, submerge the whole thing underwater and tip and turn gently to get the air out. Put your finger or thumb over the end and move that to your bucket. Take your finger off the end, making sure that end is lower than the tank end, and, hey presto, syphoning

 

[Ny82]

Thankyou to everyone who helped with my query, I managed it this morning woohoo! No sandstorm, no uprooted plants, no sore arms or back! It's so easy when you know how

 

[magical trevor]

Well i bought a battery operated syphon and it annoyed the S*** outta me so i butchered it and with the help of some garden hose and a plastic bottle ive got a manual 1 and its well better! The only bits i used off the one I bought was the plastic pipes. Works a treat tho!!

 

[Myuu]

Just suck on the end of the tube. No shaking, no tricks. If you do it right you should never end up with a mouthful of water.

 

[MisssMarie]

Just suck on the end of the tube. No shaking, no tricks. If you do it right you should never end up with a mouthful of water.

+1 it takes a lil practice, but you get it fast. WATCH the water as it goes through the tube and be fast!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Take it from someone who bought many different syphons when she first started fish keeping, including 2 battery ones - don't do it. The sand knackers the motor in them so they don't work properly anyway.

These days I just use a tube with a detachable grate on one end (so I don't suck up any little fish)and a bucket clip on the other. I suck the bucket end to get it started and away it goes.

 

[Ny82]

Thanks, I got it to work. I just kept the hose straight with my finger over the end like in the video and it just started itself then I started the pump and it was done in no time