I tried front to back first but it was packed solid and just kept filling the well with water. back to front worked better for me. which ever way works good luck.

I've spent hours cleaning these out!!! They are usually half full of resin and or bilge paint where they come out into the bilge. It doesn't take much to clog them up. If they had just used a little bigger pipe it wouldn't be such a problem. I've tried all different types of wire, high pressure water etc. I had the best luck with some left over copper ground wire from my house panel. Can't remember the gauge but it's heavy duty, probably 1/8"- 3/16" thick.