Re: # Subject: [Killietalk] "U" tubes

[Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>]

*"Curtis Smith" <cskillies at hotmail_com> wrote:*

> Wright,
>
> By all means use a length of airline tubing to start your siphon as it 
> works well. Get good at it because from my experience with "u" tubes 
> on a reef tank a few years ago they frequently lost their siphon and 
> had to be re-started.
>
> Curt


That would be a huge problem for an unattended continuous water change 
system to lose siphon. [Wet floors!] Besides, my "siphons" will be too 
tiny for that kind of start.

Since I probably will use 1/4" black drip irrigation tubing (with a 
clear airline section for monitoring), starting will be a minimal 
problem. Plug the outlet momentarily and suck with a baster on the 
upright opening to get it going. We are talking a double-J tube here, 
not the single over the tank edge kind. If continuously fed, it should 
be hard to lose siphon unless tank depth actually gets below the lower "U."

Clogging is a bigger problem than losing siphon, IMHO. I probably will 
cut a 2" long piece of 1/2" drip line and tap the 1/4" outgoing line 
into the center. Stuffed with floss, it should keep babies in and not 
clog very easily.

Wright

--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
                     760 872-3995

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents...." --James Madison

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