Ok so I tried again. This time I glued up to the t pArt lower the t abit and also lowered the intake. I filled up the bucket and also filled the overflow system I got the siphon going and it was working great. Then I pulled off the cap and still had water movment. Then I waited till the water got down to the level of the t and the water slowed. So I then filled the bucket back up and it seemed to still be flowing but at a very slow rate. And I'm not sure why? Lol any ideas? Should that pipe with the cap that come upward off the t be longer? Anyways let me know what you think. Thanks bandit.

Sounds like you got it working :D

When you start the siphon, with the cap on, it flows REALLY fast. But that is what sucks it down and uncovers the inlet. Once you take the cap off, the drain slows to only what is needed to keep the tank/bucket at level. When the tank level rises a bit, more water will be forced through the pipe and down the drain, if tank level lowers, the flow slows. The drain should set itself to flow the same as what your return pump is putting back into your tank. The will ballance and that's what's needed

Glad to hear we have success :D

ok so i drilled a hole in the top of the cap.. and ive had it sitting in a tub of water with my return pump going for about mmm 4 hours and everything seems to be working fine i can even pull the overflow out of the water and put it back in and it still flows water thanks for all the hekp...

You mean you can raise the entire unit, and then put it back?

$20 says you can't take it out of the water for 1 minute and put it back and have it still work.

Umm ya I can so you owe me 20 buck.

It isn't possible, when you remove the unit from the water you will lose siphon and it will never return unless you prime the unit again.

You really have money to burn Paul.

The whole point of this type of (partial) siphon drain is that it holds water high enough at the gravity drain point, so prime is maintained in the event of a power outage.

The weak link is when air bubbles accumulate at the top of the first bend. This problem is compounded when you can't see what's going on inside the pipes. I would add a 1" vinyl hose at the top, as it fits well over 3/4" hose. I would also install a one way air check valve so you can suck out the accumulated air with a venturi, aqualifter pump, or manually.

Tell you what, if it automatically regains a siphon I will send $2000 dollars and have it flown to NASA, they love this stuff .

raising and lowering is easy, taking it out of the water is another issue.

No, I bet he Won't lose siphon he lifts it out. Because he has a J in the inlet there, No air will get into the upper, over the tank pipe so it will remain with water in it. IF the inlet was straight down, with no J on it, then ya all the water will just flow out when you lift it up. :D

Like the Water cooler princeaple.


Paul, you owe him $20 LMAO