As I read thru the posts I am always AMAZED at how often I read that people suck on a hose to get the siphon going on their tank!! I REALLY like my fish but if I had to get fish water in my mouth to clean their tanks they MIGHT not be as clean as I keep them now!

Go to ANY department store .....(Wally World..whatever) or Pet Store and get a siphon hose that has one end that is larger (the barrel). Place your bucket in front of your tank. Plug the small end with your thumb, dip the barrel end under the water & hold the barrel up. Remove your thumb, the water will start to flow, plug the small end again. Now place the barrel end under the water & point towards the bottom.....release the small end THE WATER WILL FLOW. N O SUCKING water! I once submitted a Research Paper here that explains it better!

Even BETTER advice get a Python (or similar)!!

Either way NO FISHEY WATER IN YOUR MOUTH!! Eeewwwwwuuuu!

thats they way i always have done it I even do it with my python when i drain it into the bath tub.

Get the siphons which attaches to your facet, open the release valve and turn on the water at the same time. the vacuum formed by the rushing water will draw everything out in a fast pace. It's a siphon with a bit more force involved, I can even pick up some small gravels like this.

Ewww.....I never do that, I just pump the gravel vac under the water until it starts running. Now that I know that even the smallest guppy fry can out-swim the pull of it, I'm not nervous about using it anymore.

I do have the python that hooks to my sink. i just choose to bring it too the tub. In my experience, the flow is stronger when it drains in the bath tub. I also put it in the tub because the bathroom sink can keep up with the extra flow of water.

I always use a siphon. There are loads on bacteria in fish water that can make you sick . I have even read somewhere that if you empty your fish water into a sink or bath, you should disenfect your sink or bath straight away as it can cause serious illness.

Due to a water shortage in my area, I always tip my fish water into the garden

For Spooky's tank, I have the siphon that comes with a hand pump attached, and 1-2 squeezes gets the water flowing.

People suck on their hoses to get the water going? Nasty!

Yep, I KNOW about the Python siphon....I have one & WOULDN'T want to do without it. I was explaining siphoning because of reading SOOOOO many people talking about starting the siphoning by SUCKING on the hose! There's NEVER a need to do that!! I always use my Python like a regular siphon hose to remove the water & clean the gravel.......that water is GREAT for the garden! I run my Python reight out to the garden! THEN I hook it up to add the water back in!

But one way OR the other NEVER put the hose in your mouth & suck to start the water. It is nasty & not necessary!