If you don't have any steps to climb to go outside: Run the hose directly outside... doesn't matter how long it is, as you don't need to suck on the end to start a syphon... let gravity do the work. To start the syphon, put the gravel vacuum in the water, allowing it to fill with water, then lift it up out of the water so that the water flows down the hose, then stick it back quickly in the water again to continue the flow. This is what I do.