P-Daddy

So, I decided that I was too lazy to continue using the tried and true siphon/bucket method of changing water now that I am doing 50% changes once a week on my fertilizer routine.

Thus, I purchased a python and set it up to use today, while normally its a good thing if a product doesn't suck, but in the world of gravel vacuums its an issue.

I managed to once successfully start a trickle of a siphon with it, and then reset it because it wasn't even able to lift the gravel. After that I couldn't even get anything resembling suction or a siphon.

I took everything apart and looked for some type of clog or malfunction in the valve, hose, and pump. Nothing, the product is well packaged and does not appear to be broken in any way.

The directions were clear and truly its relatively fool proof, theres not much that can be broken or go wrong.

So, my question is....why can't I suck? My theory at the moment is that my water pressure (which is fairly weak) just is not enough to start a siphon. Please, no one go through the trouble of going through the math or anything for me, but in theory can't I start a siphon even with little pressure?

I can't imagine the pressure of my mouth being greater than the pressure of my faucet, and I have no issues using my mouth to start a siphon on a normal gravel vac.

PS: Feel free to point out some type of minuscule mistake I am making and berate me for being a complete putz.

RoxiesMom

I have one tank that I have to manually start the suction on because it sits lower than my sink. Are you having to use too much hose length for the low suction? Maybe you could still use it by manually starting the suction and emptying then attach to the pump for filling. Not much help just some thoughts...

P-Daddy

I am afraid its a water pressure issue, I am using a 50 foot hose to reach my kitchen sink.

I know its safe, but draining all that muck in the kitchen kind of makes me nervous

THEFORDMAN00

try turning both the hot and cold on- and leave them on it may use a lot of water but u will have great suction///

and i wouldnt say u were lazy for using a python---u were smart


work smarter not harder!!!

__________________
Nick
125 gallon-72 inches long!
2 fluval 405's
2 aqua clear 500's (now known as the 110)
almost 1700 gph!!!!!!
There is no such thing as 2 much filtration!!!!!!!!!!!!

garyr

My python sucks just fine.

Tommy Gun

Nice pun! Lmao

I feel the same way and have extended my python hose in order to reach 3/4 of the way across my house and down into my basement so I can drain aquarium water into my basin sink...and also because the water that comes out of that faucet is not sent through my water softener.

My thinking is that you may also want to try soliciting the help of gravity, just like you would when using an unassisted siphon. For example, I have noticed that I can start my python with help from my basement sink and then turn the faucet off while maintaining a rapid water flow...but if I do the same in my kitchen sink, I have to keep the faucet on, or spend a lot more time waiting before reaching the amount of water I want to be removed from the tank.

I might also check to make sure that all of the seals are tight and that there are no holes, gaps, or leaks in the hose since air is a siphons worst enemy, so to speak. It might even be worth purchasing another python to see if the one you have right now is defective or something - of course, hopefully you can do that with some assurance that you can return one or both if my theory here doesn't hold any water. My reasoning for suggesting this is simply because you should be able to start and maintain a siphon with a relatively low amount of water pressure seeing as how anyone can start a siphon with some very weak pressure in the form of one of those hand pumps or even via his/her mouth (although I strongly suggest not starting a siphon in this way for quite a few reasons above and beyond the idea that it is just plain old gross).

gm333

Its definitly a waterpressure problem. I remodeled the kitchen last year and the new faucet my wife chose uses lower water pressure. It doesnt have enough pressure to pull the water up the hose. So instead I use gravity to syphon out the water from the tanks into the flower bed outside then attatch the hose to the sink to fill the tanks back up. Its a little more work, but still beats changing over 75 gallons a week with a bucket.