Does anyone use a pump to drain water during a water change?

[johnnycoolxx]

I have 3 tanks right now and I've been using a python to drain all 3. The suction power of the python isn't as strong as I'd like and it takes me a long time to clean all my tanks.

I was thinking about buying a pump and 50 ft. of vinyl tubing to drain my tank quickly and water my garden at the same time. Does anyone else do this and is it easy to do every week?

 

[Mavrick813]

I've used a pump before in a pinch. But normally I use a Python.

Mike

 

[Oddball]

On the big tanks, I use a home-made gravel washer. It's a 5" pvc pipe joined to a 1 1/2" fitting and pool hose. Moves tons more water.

 

[Mavrick813]

On the big tanks, I use a home-made gravel washer. It's a 5" pvc pipe joined to a 1 1/2" fitting and pool hose. Moves tons more water.

Pics please? Maybe a video of it working?

 

[johnnycoolxx]

Pics please? Maybe a video of it working?

Hey oddball, I want to make a home made gravel vac too. I have a 210g, 100g, and 150g so I need a strong vac like that. Do you have a link showing where I can make one like yours?

 

[CClump]

my dad uses the pump from his wet saw to change water into a large garbage can...How he deals with it from there im not entirely sure.
Defeinately would be a fast way to drain.

 

[Oddball]

I may have to reshoot some pics. Can't seem to find the folder on this PC for the larger diameter washer. It may be on another PCs drive. So far, all I've found is the 3 footer I made to clean our tall tanks without getting my pits soaked.

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

I use a python to clean the waste on the bottom of all my tanks(barebottom)and then move on to the next tank while the rest of the water gets removed by a 1200gph pump connected to a 35ft hose leading into my sink.

 

[aquaculture]

A quite one pump connected to a garden hose,the hose is fish only, to do my water changes. To put water back in I connect the hose to a sink.

 

[thewaterboy]

I may have to reshoot some pics. Can't seem to find the folder on this PC for the larger diameter washer. It may be on another PCs drive. So far, all I've found is the 3 footer I made to clean our tall tanks without getting my pits soaked.

do you know of any stores that sell these already made? there's a good chance i would flood my apartment if i try to make this myself.