How to Siphon Water Using a Hose

One of the most effective methods to clean fish tanks is siphoning water using a hose. Determine the volume of water you're removing by siphoning it into a 5-gallon bucket. Knowing the total water removed helps you make the correct chemical additions when replacing tank water. Siphoning water is less time-consuming than scooping water out of fish tanks. Learning how to siphon water using a hose makes fish tank cleaning faster and easier than other tank cleaning methods.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Hose
  • Small fish net
  • Small clamp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 5-gallon bucket near the fish tank.

    • 2

      Place the hose inside the center of the fish net. Pull the net tightly around the end of the hose to prevent siphoning fish from the tank.

    • 3

      Insert the hose with the netting end at least 4 inches below the surface water level.

    • 4

      Place the other end of the hose in your mouth. Suck on the hose until it is half-full with aquarium water.

    • 5

      Remove the hose from your mouth and place the tip in the 5-gallon bucket. Siphon water from the fish tank until the bucket is full.

    • 6

      Fold the end of the hose over and secure it with a clamp to stop siphoning. Empty the bucket.

    • 7

      Replace the bucket next to the fish tank. Hold the clamped hose over the bucket. Release the clamp to continue siphoning. Repeat siphoning, emptying the bucket and clamping the hose until you've removed the desired amount of water.

    • 8

      Take the end of the hose out of the fish tank water toward the end of the last bucket to break the siphon. Hold the hose vertically so all the water drains into the bucket.