Python Pro-Clean Gravel Washer & Siphon Kit with Squeeze Siphon Starter for Fish Aquarium, Large

I have two 20 gallon aquariums, each filled with 10 gallons, for two turtles. I ordered the Python Pro-Clean Gravel Washer & Siphon Kit with Squeeze Siphon Starter as, after years of use, my similar foreign made unit, had become damaged. I paid extra for this Python unit as it was an American made product, and I was willing to pay extra for that feature. Wow, what a mistake! I pumped that vacuum bulb FURIOUSLY, but couldn't get the the water to climb more than a quarter of the way up the pickup tube, above the water level in the tank! I laid the tube on it's side, under the water level, and was finally able to achieve suction. Once the water level got down below the height of the pickup tube laid on it's side, the siphon was lost, and was no longer achievable. Fortunately, I have a Ninja Messmaster vacuum, and was able to remove the rest of the water and turtle "sludge" that way. On the second tank, I used the Python unit without the Squeeze bulb, using the Ninja to start the siphon, instead. That method worked better, but I feel that it's a bit ridiculous to have paid about three times the cost for a product that worked so poorly. My cheap, foreign made unit worked MUCH better.... until it became damaged, of course! Despite the poor performance of the product, the build quality appears to be top notch. I am considering using a tubing cutter to shorten the pickup tube down to a length similar to that of my cheaper, foreign made unit. Maybe that will help. I am saddened that it performed so poorly. I was looking forward to, and was expecting, the American made product to work so much better. We live and learn, I suppose. ---BigDaddyN64---

Too slow and almost no suction created in a 10 gal