starting a siphon again - help!

[kbauer]

I had a power failure today and can't remember how to start the siphon on my hang-on the back overflow going again. I have a 58 gal. tank with a 20 gal. sump underneath. The overflow has a 3/4" u-shaped tube to carry the water from the overflow to the drain. I managed to do it originally just trying to hold water in the tube to get it started. There must be a better way! I've searched on this board but no luck. Any help anyone?

 

[ebaybrad]

push a air pump tube up to about the middle of the bend in the "u tube" inside the pre filter....then suck while it is empty.....

 

[kbauer]

when I first pushed that air tube into the 3/4" tube, I said there's no way this can work -- but it did! I'm not sure I totally understand how it worked but it was perfect! Thanks a million that was so much easier.

 

[Burgman]

If you are using a standard overflow U tube what I did was use the caps from a couple of one gallon distilled water jugs. Use the distilled water for make up water in your tank. Save the plastic caps on the jugs as they are the perfect size to cap your U tube. Turn the u tube with both end point up, submerge & fill the u tube with tank water and cap both ends. Hold both caps &insert the u tube in the normal position in your overflow and release the caps. Works every time. The caps will float. You can hold on one of the endcaps with a rubber band from the cap to the center of the tube(hold it with your finger).