Best affordable siphon

[metropolis93fan]

What is the best siphon out there (respectably affordable... on disability so very limited budget) that has good suction? I had a used one that was okay for a while... but it started leaking when I pumped it and it takes forever to fill just one gallon jug. (I can't lift heavy buckets so I use used distilled water gallon jugs to fill one at a time so it's easier to dispose) Everything fits together perfectly... no loose connections. Not sure of the brand. Came with a used tank. My others were for small tanks or also leaked (a green one). Please suggest! Thanks!

 

[Rocky998]

You say you have disabilities?
This hose is expensive but a life saver...
It's the python brand siphon and these will range from $50-$100 (different sizes).
They connect up to your sink or the hose. No buckets needed at all.
I know you said that you wanted it to be inexpensive, and this is expensive, but it truly will save you I think.

Now you could always get any other siphon for around $10 and it will do the job but you will be using buckets, and I don't know what conditions you have, but yah, carrying the buckets probably won't help.

 

[metropolis93fan]

You say you have disabilities?
This hose is expensive but a life saver...
It's the python brand siphon and these will range from $50-$100 (different sizes).
They connect up to your sink or the hose. No buckets needed at all.
I know you said that you wanted it to be inexpensive, and this is expensive, but it truly will save you I think.

Now you could always get any other siphon for around $10 and it will do the job but you will be using buckets, and I don't know what conditions you have, but yah, carrying the buckets probably won't help.

I can't use my tap water. Not safe. High ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, as well as an algae smell. Unless you mean it empties INTO the sink? How does attaching it to the hose/sink empty it? Lifting is VERY hard for me. I have a bladder condition and my pelvic muscles are very tight and sore ... both hurt a lot and lifting anything hurts terribly. Also have chronic migraine but that's not so much an issue for emptying the tanks.

 

[Rocky998]

I can't use my tap water. Not safe. High ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, as well as an algae smell. Unless you mean it empties INTO the sink? How does attaching it to the hose/sink empty it? Lifting is VERY hard for me. I have a bladder condition and my pelvic muscles are very tight and sore ... both hurt a lot and lifting anything hurts terribly. Also have chronic migraine but that's not so much an issue for emptying the tanks.

It empties INTO the sink and can ALSO flow back in.
You mentioned that your tap water is bad with high ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. If you plant with a TON of plants, try looking at the conditioner "API Aqua Essentials". It detoxifies ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. I use it for my tap as well.
It's worked so far

I have a bladder condition and my pelvic muscles are very tight and sore ... both hurt a lot and lifting anything hurts terribly. Also have chronic migraine but that's not so much an issue for emptying the tanks.

I'm really sorry to hear about that
My best friend has similar issues, sadly she had to give up the aquarium hobby due to that...
It must be a struggle day to day for you. Really hope you are able to someday get better.

 

[metropolis93fan]

It empties INTO the sink and can ALSO flow back in.
You mentioned that your tap water is bad with high ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. If you plant with a TON of plants, try looking at the conditioner "API Aqua Essentials". It detoxifies ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. I use it for my tap as well.
It's worked so far


I'm really sorry to hear about that
My best friend has similar issues, sadly she had to give up the aquarium hobby due to that...
It must be a struggle day to day for you. Really hope you are able to someday get better.

I don't really want a ton of plants, honestly. I kinda have a blue and purple theme going with silk plants that goes with my living room. I might get floaters now that my poor baby is gone. He was blind and so I had to have an open tank top to find and feed him frozen foods with tweezers. I want them in my other tank, too, when I can get a glass lid for it. It has a milky plastic piece on top of a totally black lid that doesn't let enough light through for floaters. Tried twice, no dice. But it's just not the look I like. And I was just talking with someone today who said none of the products that are supposed to detoxify all that stuff actually DO. I was hoping to use a bunch and keep the tap water but I'm too afraid to, now. Especially without a lot of plants. I'm considering getting an RO filter if I can fit it under my sink cabinet. THEN the Python would be a perfect addition. Until then... it's a definite possibility. One I'll definitely consider either way!

And thank you about the health... and so sorry for your friend. So far I'm keeping up with a 5 and 10 gallon. Sometimes I don't empty the jugs I put the water in immediately. Especially if using distilled... I have to warm it either in the microwave above my head or in a pan on the stove and then add cold until the right temp. It's a LOT of work. But the joy and comfort I get from watching my guys swim around has made it worth it so far. Between my sweet cocker who is lying alongside me and having them to care for and watch, it really gives me something to live for. I have very few activities outside of doctors' offices. It forces me to get up and move, which is good, and there is just something comforting about watching things swimming in a tank. I wouldn't want a third to manage and sort of wish I hadn't gotten the ten gallon but kept with the 5. It's a lot easier to do tank changes with a five. But it's also fun to to watch him have more to swim around in, too. I tried having ghost shrimp with him but he killed two. I save the others... tried them in my 5 gallon but the one terrorized my blind betta. Now they are in a little 1.5 my mother had INSISTED on having... (long, sad story, sigh). My betta in my 5 gallon died today (another long sad story) and I think when it's all ready again I'm going to make it a shrimp tank. Lower bio load for one... and lots of movement to watch. My poor two remaining ghosts will get a much nicer home and a number of friends.

I really appreciate the advice. It's not the easiest hobby, especially because I'm out of town at LEAST two nights a week... those are separated but sometimes it's two or even more at a time. Wasn't when I started but now I have frequent doctors and therapy in my parents' town 30 miles away. I try and lump them together but not always possible, of course. I'll definitely keep that Python in mind. It'll be after Christmas and January... (Mom's birthday). But a definite possibility that will make life immensely easier!

 

[Rocky998]

I don't really want a ton of plants, honestly. I kinda have a blue and purple theme going with silk plants that goes with my living room. I might get floaters now that my poor baby is gone. He was blind and so I had to have an open tank top to find and feed him frozen foods with tweezers. I want them in my other tank, too, when I can get a glass lid for it. It has a milky plastic piece on top of a totally black lid that doesn't let enough light through for floaters. Tried twice, no dice. But it's just not the look I like. And I was just talking with someone today who said none of the products that are supposed to detoxify all that stuff actually DO. I was hoping to use a bunch and keep the tap water but I'm too afraid to, now. Especially without a lot of plants. I'm considering getting an RO filter if I can fit it under my sink cabinet. THEN the Python would be a perfect addition. Until then... it's a definite possibility. One I'll definitely consider either way!

Not to be a downer or be too picky on things but colors can affect fish. Especially bright stuff. It can stress fish. Maybe not extremely bad but it still can have an impact. It is good that it's silk so it's soft for them. But live plants have SO many benefits. It improves water chemistry, it looks natural, and the fish love it 100x more.
If you were using plastic plants I would be strongly recommending to change it out because plastic plants can damage fish.

Some products are bad to be honest and just don't do the job right, but API Aqua Essentials has worked for me. I have ammonia in my water. It brings it to 0 on tests all the time...

And yah totally. If you can get a R/O filter for your water that would be the best solution. Expensive but it definitely does the job!

And thank you about the health... and so sorry for your friend.

Thanks... I just pray for her and people like her to hopefully someday find a cure or get better... It takes a lot of strength to push through it all. I know it's hard...

So far I'm keeping up with a 5 and 10 gallon. Sometimes I don't empty the jugs I put the water in immediately. Especially if using distilled... I have to warm it either in the microwave above my head or in a pan on the stove and then add cold until the right temp. It's a LOT of work. But the joy and comfort I get from watching my guys swim around has made it worth it so far. Between my sweet cocker who is lying alongside me and having them to care for and watch, it really gives me something to live for. I have very few activities outside of doctors' offices. It forces me to get up and move, which is good, and there is just something comforting about watching things swimming in a tank. I wouldn't want a third to manage and sort of wish I hadn't gotten the ten gallon but kept with the 5. It's a lot easier to do tank changes with a five. But it's also fun to to watch him have more to swim around in, too. I tried having ghost shrimp with him but he killed two. I save the others... tried them in my 5 gallon but the one terrorized my blind betta. Now they are in a little 1.5 my mother had INSISTED on having... (long, sad story, sigh). My betta in my 5 gallon died today (another long sad story) and I think when it's all ready again I'm going to make it a shrimp tank. Lower bio load for one... and lots of movement to watch. My poor two remaining ghosts will get a much nicer home and a number of friends.

Sorry for the loss of your betta... Always saddening.

And yah, that does sound like a lot of work for water changes. I don't know really what to say...
Sorry.

You are definitely right though, it's a lot of work but the reward of watching your healthy fish swimming around happily is SOOOO worth it. Gives you a sense of pride and joy.

I really appreciate the advice. It's not the easiest hobby, especially because I'm out of town at LEAST two nights a week... those are separated but sometimes it's two or even more at a time. Wasn't when I started but now I have frequent doctors and therapy in my parents' town 30 miles away. I try and lump them together but not always possible, of course. I'll definitely keep that Python in mind. It'll be after Christmas and January... (Mom's birthday). But a definite possibility that will make life immensely easier!

Yes, that's understandable...
And no problem . I'm glad if I was able to help in some way. I know I'm not the MOST knowledgeable but I try to help where I can.

Hopefully you can find something to make aquarium keeping easier foe you and less daunting. It should be a de-stresser. Not a stresser. Lol

 

[metropolis93fan]

If you were using plastic plants I would be strongly recommending to change it out because plastic plants can damage fish.

Definitely not plastic!

Some products are bad to be honest and just don't do the job right, but API Aqua Essentials has worked for me. I have ammonia in my water. It brings it to 0 on tests all the time...

Is it good for nitrites and nitrates, too? Those are also an issue...

Hopefully you can find something to make aquarium keeping easier foe you and less daunting. It should be a de-stresser. Not a stresser. Lol

I totally agree! I'm going to make it as good as possible!

 

[Rocky998]

Is it good for nitrites and nitrates, too? Those are also an issue...

It works on nitrites... I haven't studied the affects it has on nitrates though

 

[metropolis93fan]

It works on nitrites... I haven't studied the affects it has on nitrates though

Nitrates are my biggest issue with the tap water, sadly. 20 ppm. I need to know for sure the water will be safe. *sighs* I'm going to call my dad and see if he thinks this one RO system would work in my apartment. I can pay for it in 6 installments of around $12 or so. THAT I can handle... and I might be able to do that with the python too if Amazon has it. It would be AMAZING to not have to lug jugs anymore!

 

[Rocky998]

Nitrates are my biggest issue with the tap water, sadly. 20 ppm. I need to know for sure the water will be safe. *sighs* I'm going to call my dad and see if he thinks this one RO system would work in my apartment. I can pay for it in 6 installments of around $12 or so. THAT I can handle... and I might be able to do that with the python too if Amazon has it. It would be AMAZING to not have to lug jugs anymore!

Ooo... Yah that's pretty high out of tap... Mine is 10ppm.
An R/O filter SHOULD help with that...
Hopefully it all works out for you