How to Lead Water with a Siphon

X

This article was co-written by Craig Morton. Craig Morton is the CEO of Aquarium Doctor Inc. is headquartered in Huntington Beach California and provides services in Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. With over 30 years of aquarium experience, Craig specializes in creating custom aquarium designs, along with aquarium maintenance and installation. Aquarium Doctor works with manufacturers and products such as Clear for Life, Sea Clear, Bubble Magus, Tropic Marine Centre, Salifert, ReeFlo, Little Giant, Coralife and Kent Marine.

This article has been viewed 19,266 times.

Siphoning is a great way to move large amounts of water from one place to another thanks to gravity. You can drain your pool, clean your aquarium, or store rainwater using this method. If it is clean water, you can use the suction mouth to priming the water through the siphon tube. If using a single siphon tube, you can submerge it in water and then flush. However, if large volumes of water are to be transferred, a two-pipe siphon system is still the best option.

Table of Contents

Mouth water siphon

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1b/Siphon-Water-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-1- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1b/Siphon-Water-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-1-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Place the empty bucket to collect the water in the correct position. You will rely on gravity to siphon water from somewhere into the bucket. The siphon method can only guide water from high to low, so you must place the bucket on a flat and lower level than the bucket. ^{[1] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/63/Siphon-Water-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-2- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/63/Siphon-Water-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Place the siphon tube. You will place one end of the siphon in the bucket. The siphon must be placed on the bottom of the bucket so that it does not slip out. You will then place the other end of the tube in a full bucket of water.

You can tie a heavy object to the top of the hose to keep it in place underwater.
You can use almost any hose to siphon water. However, it is better to use a transparent tube to monitor the water flow inside.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/54/Siphon-Water-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-3- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/54/Siphon-Water-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Hold the tip of the tube and suck gently. You will lift the end of the tube in the empty bucket of water below. Remember to only lift the top of the tube slightly above the top of the bucket to prevent water from entering your mouth. Then, close the tube and suck as if using a straw. You will suck the water over the rim of the bucket, and when the water reaches the bend of the pipe, it will begin to flow down. At this point you will release the end of the tube at the mouth and drop it into the bucket. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If the tube you’re using isn’t long enough to hold itself in the bucket, you’ll need to use a larger tube.
Watch the position of the water in the tube carefully so it doesn’t get into your mouth. This is also why you shouldn’t siphon other liquids like gasoline by mouth.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/52/Siphon-Water-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-4- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/52/Siphon-Water-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Let the water run into the empty bucket. You will remove the half-filled siphon from your mouth and quickly place it in the lower bucket. Water will begin to flow into the bucket through the siphon and will continue to flow until the higher bucket is empty or you lift the hose out of either bucket.

Siphon by submerging the tube

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0f/Siphon-Water-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-5- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0f/Siphon-Water-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Submerge the tube into the bucket of water. You will roll up the siphon tube and place it in a bucket full of water. Gently press down on the tube until it is completely submerged in water. You will see some air bubbles rising to the surface of the water, that is due to the air escaping from the tube. Press down on the tube slowly to let the air bubbles out. When you see all the air bubbles, the tube is full of water and ready to carry water. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

To make sure the air bubble is completely out of the tube, you should shake the tube gently before lifting it out.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d9/Siphon-Water-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-6- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d9/Siphon-Water-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-6-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Place your finger over the mouth of the tube. Now that the tube is full of water, you will need to stop the end of the tube to prepare to drain the water into another bucket. You will fold the water pipe to create a baffle, then place a finger or thumb on the top of the pipe to stop the water from flowing out of the pipe. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

You need to keep the hose under water during this process, otherwise air bubbles will get into the tube.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/13/Siphon-Water-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-7- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/13/Siphon-Water-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Move the sealed end of the tube into the empty bucket of water. You will slowly and carefully lift the end of the sealed tube out of the bucket of water. Hold your finger over the mouth of the tube and make sure the other end of the tube, the unobstructed end, is in the water. Then place the blocked end of the hose in the empty bucket of water in the lower place. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ad/Siphon-Water-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-8- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ad/Siphon-Water-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Unblock the mouth of the tube. You will lift your finger from the mouth of the tube that is being sealed, holding the tip of the tube slightly downward so that it does not splash around when the water starts to flow out. Watch the water move from the bucket above to the bucket below. If the flow seems blocked, shake the tube slightly to make the water flow stronger. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Siphon with two garden hoses

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/cc/Siphon-Water-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-9- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/cc/Siphon-Water-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Place the first water pipe in the correct position. You will place one end of the hose on the bottom of a higher container to draw water out. If you are using something on the pipe to hold it in place, make sure the object is not obstructing the flow of water in the pipe. Then, place the other end of the hose in the container with the water coming out of it.

This is a great way that can help you siphon water over long distances or need to conduct large amounts of water.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/87/Siphon-Water-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-10- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/87/Siphon-Water-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Install the water shut-off valve. You will install the shut-off valve on the top of the water pipe located at the bottom of the higher water tank and remember to open the valve. You can buy plumbing shut-off valves at hardware stores.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/61/Siphon-Water-Step-11-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-11- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/61/Siphon-Water-Step-11-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-11-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Install the second water pipe. You will take the unused water pipe and connect it to the un-locked end of the first water pipe. Then, attach the other end of this second hose to a nearby faucet. Double check to make sure all connections are tight.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/24/Siphon-Water-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-12- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/24/Siphon-Water-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-12-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Drain water into the siphon tube. You will turn on the faucet to let water flow through both pipes. Watch to see when the first tube is full. Then close the faucet shutoff valve. You can now remove the second hose from the faucet and the top of the first one. Now you are left with only one tube full of water connected to both containers.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/39/Siphon-Water-Step-13-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon-Water-Step-13- Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/39/Siphon-Water-Step-13-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Siphon- Water-Step-13-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Open valve. As soon as you open the valve, the water exits the hose and flows into the destination container. You can hold the end of the hose slightly straight to adjust the water flow if desired.

Things you need

Water container
Plastic Pipe
2 garden hoses
Water pipe lock valve
Shove
Fixtures for water pipes

Advice

Install a stop valve at the top of the bend of the water pipe and a check valve at the top of the drain pipe, you will have complete control of the siphon pipe and when turned off, this pipe will always be in a primed state.
The size of the water pipe will determine the water siphon time. Larger pipes will siphon water faster than smaller ones. In addition, small water pipes can easily become clogged with debris and debris.
If you are siphoning water for the experiment, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the bucket of water above. This way you can see the water flowing through the tube and into the bucket below more clearly. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Warning

Make sure the water pipes you use are not leaking. If the pipe leaks, the siphoning process will be slowed down or possibly failed.
You should siphon the water with a separate pipe, do not share the pipe with other liquids such as gasoline or chemicals. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Steps