syphoning tank in basement?

Do you have a washing machine in the basement?

yipes.... you could be right. I'm not sure about the syphoning upwards that far (a floor above).... I've never tried it and I don't really have a good feeling about it unfortunately. I can't say it has or hasn't been done but I'm not betting on it. I was just thinking if there was a washer down there, there must be a sink... sorry I couldn't help.

OK i haven't tried that with a python so i might be wrong BUT

I doubt it would work so it would probably better to get a small pump to do waterchanges.

Well, if you have a python already you could always put a 5g bucket in the basement and try it out first. If ya don't have one I guess you could probably buy one from a Wal-Mart and just return it if it won't work for ya.

i would think it might work. .might.. because the python works from the pressure of the faucet isnt it? so maybe just have the faucet fully opened will do the trick?

I'm thinking you'd be asking to much of the pythonv to go up a flight of stairs, not to mention you'd have to buy 50 ft or more of hose.

Does your basement have windows that you could open and stick the hose out to drain?

My water pressure isn't strong enough to use the gravel section of the python so I use it when doing just water changes and refilling.

Since it doesn't pull enough to doing cleanings I get it started with the faucet flow and can turn the water off and it'll still flow. If the sink is being used for something else at the time, and with 3 kids and a wife it usually is, I just take the fitting off the hose and suck on it till the water gets close and it self siphons to the tub. I smoke and if I can do it anyone can.

Posting malfunction

With my 75 gallon using a python to drain into the kitchen sink I have to have it going full blast to get a slow drain from it. And they are on the same level area.

But from my 29 gallon using the same python to a bathroom sink I only need water pressure to get it started. Then I shut off the sink and it drains itself. So it seems that just a little difference in height really makes a big difference.

For the 75 gallon I fill the python hose with water and throw the end out the window into the back yard. Drains MUCH faster with no wasting of fresh water.

...crap, I'm trying to think of an easy solution but I can't. I seriously doubt that it will work to drain the water uphill like that. You can try it, but I really can't see how it would work.

Maybe drain the water from the tank into a rubbermaid tub, then a sump in the tub to pull the water up into the yard?