Siphon Doesn't Seem To Work Like It Used To?

[CezzaXV]

Hey all,

I have a siphon which doesn't seem to work like it used to. Whenever I try to empty anything, it only seems to get it about 60% empty before it gives up. It didn't used to do this. I'm not sure it's broken, as what is there to break? It works on science, unless I've accidentally changed the laws of physics and I'm in big trouble.

I cant think of anything I'm doing wrong with it.

 

[Greg_DS]

How you getting it through?? I used to do the little move up and down thing in the water till it come through, found the lower the water got the less came through, just use the old fashioned suck through manoeuvre now lol

 

[CezzaXV]

I just suck the end to get it going, but it doesnt seem to work once there's about 60% of the water gone.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

I just suck the end to get it going, but it doesnt seem to work once there's about 60% of the water gone.

yep thats normal, trick once started dont stop the syphon if you have to you will find doing it with 50% less water will require you to suck harder and for longer to get the water flow going

 

[orandas]

I just suck the end to get it going, but it doesnt seem to work once there's about 60% of the water gone.

law of physics; the height of the outflow water table must be higher than the inflow/bucket at all times - the gradient \

the water table level must be higher than the receiving bucket etc, so the initial 60% is fine,after the initial 60%, the water table has equaled in height to the receiving bucket's water table level, which maybe why it discontinues/slows or stand still.

 

[micko]

Some brands, naming no names, make useless siphons that do break after a short ammount of time. Fluval seems to be very good and never had an issue with their siphon. I connect a large garden hose to the end of the siphon and let the water flow straight into the garden. Rather than sucking on the pipe, fill the pipe with water- submerge the whole tube in water and keep your finger on the end the water comes out whilst keeping the other end in the water. All of these methods work or have worked well for me in the past.

 

[CezzaXV]

Some brands, naming no names, make useless siphons that do break after a short ammount of time. Fluval seems to be very good and never had an issue with their siphon. I connect a large garden hose to the end of the siphon and let the water flow straight into the garden. Rather than sucking on the pipe, fill the pipe with water- submerge the whole tube in water and keep your finger on the end the water comes out whilst keeping the other end in the water. All of these methods work or have worked well for me in the past.

Interesting! I'll give that a try next time!