How to use siphon pipes to transfer water

Using a siphon pipe to move water is an excellent method for transferring large amounts of water from one place to another using gravity. You can drain a swimming pool, clean a fish tank, or collect rainwater with this technique. If you're using clean water, you can create a siphon by sucking the water through the pipe. For a single siphon pipe, you can submerge it into the water and release it to begin the flow. However, if you need to transfer a large volume of water, a two-pipe siphon system is the best option.

Place an empty bucket in the right position. You will rely on gravity to siphon water from one place into the bucket. Since the siphoning process only works by moving water from a higher to a lower point, you must position the bucket on a flat surface lower than the container holding the water.

Place the siphon pipe in position. You will insert one end of the siphon pipe into the bucket that is meant to collect the water. The pipe should reach the bottom of the bucket to ensure it stays in place. Next, position the other end of the pipe into the full water bucket.

• You can attach a weight to the end of the pipe to keep it submerged in the water.
• Although most pipes can be used for siphoning, it’s better to use a transparent pipe so you can observe the flow of water inside.

Suck on the end of the pipe gently. Lift the end of the pipe from the empty bucket just above the surface to prevent water from flowing into your mouth. Then, close your mouth around the pipe and suck, as you would with a straw. The water will overflow from the water bucket’s edge, and once it reaches the bend of the pipe, it will begin to flow downward. At this point, remove the end of the pipe from your mouth and place it into the bucket.

• If the pipe is not long enough to stay in place within the water bucket, you will need a larger pipe.
• Carefully watch the water level in the pipe to prevent it from flowing into your mouth. This is why you shouldn’t siphon liquids like gasoline with your mouth.

Let the water flow into the empty bucket. After filling the siphon pipe halfway with water, quickly remove the end from your mouth and place it into the lower bucket. The water will begin to flow into the bucket through the siphon pipe and will continue until the water level in the higher bucket drops or you remove the pipe from either of the buckets.

Submerge the pipe into the water bucket. Coil the siphon pipe and place it into a bucket full of water. Gently push the pipe down until it is fully submerged. You will notice some air bubbles rising to the surface, as air escapes from the pipe. Press the pipe down slowly to let these air bubbles escape. Once no more bubbles are visible, the pipe is fully filled with water and ready to siphon.

• To ensure all air bubbles have escaped, it’s a good idea to shake the pipe gently before removing it from the water.

Place your finger to seal the end of the pipe. With the pipe now full of water, you will need to block the end of the pipe in preparation to transfer the water to another bucket. Bend the pipe to create a barrier and then place your finger or thumb over the opening to prevent the water from spilling out.

• Make sure to keep the pipe submerged in water throughout the process, otherwise air bubbles may enter the pipe.

Move the sealed end of the pipe to the empty bucket. Slowly and carefully lift the sealed end of the pipe out of the water bucket. Keep your finger firmly blocking the opening of the pipe, and ensure the other end remains submerged. Then, place the sealed end of the pipe into the lower, empty bucket.

Remove the seal from the pipe. Take your finger off the sealed end of the pipe, gently holding the other end pointing downward so it doesn't splash water around when the flow starts. Watch as the water moves from the top bucket to the bottom one. If the flow seems to slow down, gently shake the pipe to allow water to flow more easily.

Place the first garden hose in position. Insert one end of the garden hose into the bottom of a higher water container to begin drawing water from it. If you use something to weigh the hose down, ensure it doesn’t block the flow of water inside. Then, place the other end of the hose into the container that will receive the water.

• This is a great method for siphoning water over long distances or for transferring large amounts of water.

Install the water valve. Attach the valve to the end of the water pipe located at the bottom of the higher water tank, and make sure the valve is open. You can purchase water pipe valves at hardware stores.

Install the second water pipe. Take the unused water pipe and connect it to the open end of the first pipe. Then, attach the other end of the second pipe to a nearby water faucet. Double-check all connections to ensure they are tight and secure.

Fill the siphon pipe with water. Open the faucet to allow water to flow through both pipes. Monitor the first pipe to see when it fills up. Once it is full, close the valve on the faucet. At this point, you can disconnect the second pipe from both the faucet and the first pipe. Now, you are left with a single filled pipe connecting both tanks.

Open the valve. As soon as you open the valve, water will start flowing out of the pipe and into the target tank. You can adjust the flow by slightly tilting the pipe if desired.

• Water container tools
• Plastic pipe
• 2 garden water pipes
• Water pipe valve
• Bucket
• Items for securing the water pipe

• Consider installing a shut-off valve at the top of the curved section of the water pipe and a check valve at the end of the water drain pipe, allowing you to fully control the siphon and ensuring that the pipe stays primed when turned off.
• The size of the pipe will affect how quickly the siphoning process occurs. A larger pipe will siphon water faster than a smaller one. Additionally, smaller pipes may clog more easily due to debris and sediment.
• If you're siphoning water for an experiment, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the bucket of water above. This way, you’ll be able to see the water flow through the pipe and into the bucket below more clearly.

• Ensure that the water pipe you're using is leak-free. If the pipe leaks, the siphoning process will slow down or may even fail.
• It is recommended to siphon water using a dedicated pipe, not one shared with other liquids like gasoline or chemicals.