Water changes

[lentilbake]

I hate sucking through a tube as i can't get my mouth off in time and end up drinking!
I have bought a siphon/gravelcleaner with a valve to svoid sucking but nothing happens other than water splashing out the top -maybe i filled it a bit high!
Any alternative?

You could try something like this, I've never used one so I don't know if they're any good.

How long is your tube? You might find a longer one would make it easier, you have longer to stop sucking so you don't get a mouthful It does get easier with practice as well.

If you get a mouthful of water it would be a good idea to give your mouth a good clean out. I recommend neat vodka

thanks, the tube is longn first time i'm okay then have to stop and empty bucket and do it again and second time i get a mouthful!

Why doesnt anyone use a jug?!

I fill my pipe with water from the tap

fill it by putting it into a u shape, put your thumb on the end and then carry it to the tank.

Remeber to have the bucket at the tank before you start though

easy!

I am a total idiot and do my water changes with a jug - not much fun when you want to do a 20% change on a 300 litre tank! Good excercise for the biceps, however....

Do you have a transparent tube? In which case you can see the water getting up to about 6 inches away and stop!
I got one of those sucky bulbs that was supposed to avoid the problem but it was crap, took forever to get a siphon going.
Practice helps!

I just use one of those gravel cleaners as a siphon - I think it was under a tenner and I've never had a problem with it. You just need to make sure you've immersed it far enough in the water to get the level right in the tube for the pump to suck the water through.