Gravel Vac Problem

[SouthernJustice]

I have a large gravel vac for my 55 gallon, which I have used many-a-times. However it has for some reason stopped working. I have checked for air leaks and there are none.. Has anybody heard of something like this happening? I can siphon water out with the hose alone by sucking it, so the hose isnt damaged.. but the "jerk start" doesn't work... I have never had this problem before..what could it be??

[flynngriff]

There's no tellin... But most likely there's a clog where the hose attaches to the vacuum part.

As always, the first thing to do when something stops working is to take it apart and clean it...

Also, a lot of gravel vacs have a flap of plastic where the hose attaches to the vacuum that will stop water from flowing backwards into the tank. If this is stuck closed, that would explain it as well.

I don't know what you mean by "jerk start", so you might want to tell everybody what brand of vacuum you have.

-Flynn

[SouthernJustice]

Jerk-Start: Like move it up and down like most gravel vacs start. (Jerking it)

[flynngriff]

Huh. Never had one like that...

Course, I haven't bought one in years, so there ya go.

[TheOldSalt]

I know the type. They work like those "Wizard" fuel siphons. There is a little chamber on one end with a marble in it which acts as a one-way check valve. When you jerk the hose valve end up and down in the fluid, the marble shifts from the force of it to allow a little fluid to get by before falling back down to block the hose again. Each stroke lets a little more fluid in, and eventually enough is in the hose to let gravity take over on the other end and start the flow.

My guess is that a piece of gravel or something has gotten lodged in the little area where the marble fits, keeping it from making the seal, thereby letting water go back down again the wrong way.

[mlefev]

You're probably right. I have one that's just a plain siphon tube with a hard plastic "scoop". It's a royal pain to get siphoning, and I have to make sure the bucket is at least 3 feet below the bottom of the tank, or it will lose the suction. The thingy that makes it not flow back most likely is stuck.

[Beerleader]

I have one of the jerk starts LOL never called it that but now that'll be my new name for it hehe, and my lord I HATE that sucker, I literally tear my shoulder out of socket trying to get it started.

[fishfreaks]

sounds like you guys need a python

[Guppy123]

How exactly do u get a python started?(sry this isnt my thread)

[fishfreaks]

you just turn on the water at the sink, and it will start sucking out the water.

[judya]

On the kind with just the hard scoop and the tube, I have an easy way to get the siphon going - which is much harder to describe than to do!!

1) I put my left thumb over the skinny end opening and hold left hand higher than the water level. Right hand puts the scoop (fat) end in the tank sideways. 2) Open the skinny end and fill fat end with water. 3) Close skinny end and lift fat end above water. 4) Open skinny end so water runs into the hose and forces air out. 5) Close skinny end and put fat end back in the tank. Etc.
Once fat end is full, close the skinny end, put the fat end down into the gravel, put skinny end over the bucket and release.

Much more efficient siphon start than the jerk, and you don't risk a mouthful of tank water by trying to mouth siphon it. Although I do sometimes open the skinny end too soon and squirt myself.

[Lexus]

Thats how I do it Judya. Usually though if it stops there is gravel lodged in the syphon.

[mlefev]

I swear for me it's a luck thing...either it works or it doesn't. Sometimes, the first try and it's great, and others, it just keeps fighting with me the entire time.