How does the stem of a Hookah work?

Question

Diagrams would be awesome as well.
I am making my own hookah out of things around the house to keep myself busy. Just wanted to make sure I'm going about it the right way

Answer 1

A hookah is like a differently shaped Bong.
You have a bowl on top.
A long hollow stem going down to the chamber where the water is.
A reservoir to hold the water.
A tube the about the same size as the stem from the bowl that goes to your mouth.
If you are smoking tobacco, a big bowl.
If pot, a small bowl.
I have seen Hookahs in Arabia that accommodated 6 people and were 4' tall.