[knuggs]

Im planning on getting a pump to put in one of my bathtubs to empty water from my multiple tanks. I have a python but dont like running the water to remove the water. I siphon it currently and getting tired of emptying and carrying 5 gal water buckets. Anyone else use a pump to remove their water? Im looking for something strong to save time with water removal. Any suggestions or experiences you want to share would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Bandit1200]

For me gravity provides plenty of water movement. I wouldn't think you'd need a pump to drain the tanks down.

 

[knuggs]

Yeah, gravity doesnt work fast enough for me and some of my tanks sit low to the ground. I also have 20+ tanks which is why I need a more effective method.

 

[BruceF]

Last fall I ran pvc pipe to all my tanks so I could at least drain them without having to lug things around. Now with a simple turn of a valve they all drain, one siphon and one valve per tank. If you need to pump the water you can just put the pump anywhere you like in the line. You just need to figure out the head pressure.

 

[knuggs]

Well my original idea is to use a submersible pump and 30' hose. I have tanks in my fish room, office, fish bathroom, and indoor garden. Wouldnt really want to run that much PVC.

 

[BruceF]

I have 10 tanks in the basement. Just plumbing those together has saved me a huge amount to time and effort. Assuming you just did the Fish Room you would be way ahead.

 

[knuggs]

Yeah would be good if it was for one room. But my tanks are pretty split up and Im wanting to get a 125 or something ridiculous like a 300 in my office. My time and energy is very limited and if Im going to put forth effort I need it to be as versatile, effeicent, and functionable as possible. Im sure theres a utility pump or mag drive out there that would work. I was just wondering if anyone else has a similar setup or suggestions on pumps. Thanks for the idea, though.

 

[Sgchick]

I've seen lots of good reviews on the Wayne's transfer pump. I have ordered one, but haven't gotten it yet. You might check that one out.

 

[knuggs]

Hmm looked at it but I dont think you can put the whole thing in water. The unit will have to stay in my bathtub and will prolly get really wet. Looks like my best bet would prolly be a 2400gph magdrive....

 

[lamiskool]

I have the same problem as you as some of my tanks are directly on the floor, luckly I had a hydor pico pump laying around and its outlet jams in perfectly into the hose I use for water changes so I it has made water change day much easier/faster

 

[knuggs]

I use an aqua clear power head for the ones I have in my indoor garden because I have room to just stick it in there but unfortunately I can't use that method with all my tanks. Plus, it's not as fast as I would like it too be. I want it to pull the water out fast!

 

[Charlest]

Cobalt inline pump cut the python close to a plug, reattach the python to the inline pump Wham bam you got a power python.

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[Diana]

I drain the tanks that are higher up into a plastic storage bin, use this water to clean the filter, then pump it out to the garden. I use a fountain pump that can move about 200-300 gph. I attach a garden hose and trail that through the house. If I want to pump water directly out of the tank I wrap the intake so the fish cannot get trapped.

Lower tanks (usually smaller) I will use a small fountain pump to empty (again, into the tote). Since these tanks are smaller, a pump of around 100 gph is as fast as I would want to go.

 

[laconic]

I have 2 Mag pumps and love them as you can put them in water or outside tanks. I have 1 pump in a storage tank to pump new water into the aquarium and the other is attached to my python hose to remove water.
If you want to vacuum the gravel as you remove water, a 700 is good.

If you goal is straight water changes, you might want something a little higher than a 700. Anything below a 700 is too slow in my opinion.

 

[knuggs]

Cobalt inline pump cut the python close to a plug, reattach the python to the inline pump Wham bam you got a power python.
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Wham bam a power python! Thats what Im wanting. I think Im gonna turn it up a notch and go with the 2400 mag drive and give it a test drive.

I drain the tanks that are higher up into a plastic storage bin, use this water to clean the filter, then pump it out to the garden. I use a fountain pump that can move about 200-300 gph. I attach a garden hose and trail that through the house. If I want to pump water directly out of the tank I wrap the intake so the fish cannot get trapped.

Lower tanks (usually smaller) I will use a small fountain pump to empty (again, into the tote). Since these tanks are smaller, a pump of around 100 gph is as fast as I would want to go.

I like this idea, especially with the recycling of water in a sense. I used to water some of my plants with my aquarium water but learned that my plants were getting robbed of nutrients. Living in Indianapolis we have very mineral rich water and the tanks would absorb it and leave nothing for the plants and they started going downhill so I quit doing that and they eventually bounced back.

If you goal is straight water changes, you might want something a little higher than a 700. Anything below a 700 is too slow in my opinion.

Enough said :thumbsup: Mag drive 2400 on the way maybe too much but will see. Worse comes to worse Im working on a pond in the backyard this summer and I will just use it there. Im gonna use it for straight water changes and put a filter intake on the end. I cant remember the last time I actually vacuumed the bottom of a tank. Usually only time I do is if Im completely reseting it. Iver gone years without ever having too. What size of tanks are you emptying with yours?

 

[Diana]

My largest tank is 125 gallons with a sump of about 15 gallons.
This one is high enough up that gravity will drain it, once I get it going.
I will usually set up a drain (garden hose, pump, out the door) then turn off the pump and let it siphon.
I will set up a gravel vac that dumps the water into a tote for cleaning the filter media. I will move the pump to the tote as needed, and return it to the tank after I have emptied the tote.
Depends on how dirty the filter media are, but it usually takes a couple of totes of water to clean them.

Other tanks (done in a similar manner) are 88 gallons (no sump), 60 gallons with sump and 72 gallons with sump.

Other tanks are smaller, from 45 gallons on down to 10 gallons, 1000 gallons in the aquariums.

Ponds (250 gal & 150 gal) are not cleaned that often, and are below grade, so siphoning does not work. Gotta pump those, and I use a larger (faster) pump. About 1000 gph.

 

[laconic]

Enough said :thumbsup: Mag drive 2400 on the way maybe too much but will see. What size of tanks are you emptying with yours?[/QUOTE]

Good stuff. You loose a bit of GPH the longer the hose is and every foot you go vertial so 2400 might be perfect depending on your situation.

I have a 120G with a 55G storage tank both on the same floor so the smaller 700 works for me. I get about 2G a minute with the mag 700 attached to a 25' hose.

 

[Charlest]

Power Python!

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