Starting a Siphon in a Overflow Box

[fishfreak1242]

I just built this overflow box out of two specimen containers and a U-tube for my 20 gal sump and it is all set up and ready to go but there is one problem remaining. How do you start a siphon in the U-tube? Any advice would be very helpful.

 

[sk8shorty01]

get water in each end of the siphon box. After you get both ends of the tube under water, take a small airline tube and shove it up into the "pocket of air that is inside of the tube and suck all of the air out. That should start it for you!

 

[sk8shorty01]

Here is a better explaination! haha

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by sk8shorty01
http:///forum/post/2525563
Here is a better explaination! haha
I tried what you showed but it didnt work. The tube just filled up with water and didnt siphon.

 

[fishfreak1242]

bump

 

[tizzo]

If your u tube is set up right, that has to work. The water has to drain out of only one side and it would be the lower, thus pulling in the water from the other side. BUt you have to get every bit of air.

 

[nordy]

As long as the drain tube in the outside portion of the overflow box is lower than the intake part, AND you have removed all the air, it will start siphoning. Check the height differential between the 2 boxes. Also, be sure the tube is in the very top/middle of the U tube so you can suck every bit of air out. Do you like the taste of SW?

 

[fishfreak1242]

Should both ends of the tube be submerged underwater?

 

[nordy]

Yep,the siphon will only work if there is a complete water connection from one side of the overflow to the other side of the overflow, and of course, if water has somewhere to go once it gets to the downhill side.