I use 3/4" garden hose and a quick disconnect to hook it up to my laundary room faucet, and attached a wide siphon tube at the other end to vacuum the gravel. To start the siphon, I submerge the siphon tube in the tank, fill up the hose from the faucet, disconnect it, and hold my thumb at the quick disconnect attachment relocate the hose to a low discharge point. In winter time, I discharge the tank water to the toilet. In warm months, I discharge the water to a 50 gal rain barrel placed outside. HomDepot sells all kind of pretty rain barrels which are ideal for storing tank water for garden watering. Siphon can be started easily this way without the need for a Python. The quick disconnect male attachment has a 1/2 end easily close with a thumb to hold the siphon. I use the same hose attachment to fill my tank by adjusting the hot and cold taps to feel warm in my hand after double dosing dechlor to the tank before filling. I use double dosing of dechlor for insurance because you never know the water company may add more chlorine than normal due to water pipe repair work