Drill Pump

[BrandonJ]

So I have been using buckets to transport the dirty water from my aquariums every water change(I don't like wasting so much water with the python) and then using the python to fill the tanks. Last night I discovered the drill pump at a hardware store and decided to see if I could attach a long hose to it and drain it in the toilet...Surprisingly enough it worked and even gave me enough power to vacuum gravel better then ever. It only cost me 10 bucks and now I never need to lift another bucket. Just wanted to throw the idea out there and see if anyone else uses this method.

 

[twistedfinn967]

You do realize that once you get the water flowing from the tank that you can turn the faucet "off" and the tank will continue to drain, right?

I would think you would spend more $ on electricity (using the drill pump) than you would water anyhow.

 

[oscarcrazy]

All that water flowing into a toilet will cause it to flush repeatedly wasting a ton of water. Just get a long hose and run it outside. I also bought an adapter for a garden hose and attatch that to my sink and fill my tank that way.

 

[therevolution]

All that water flowing into a toilet will cause it to flush repeatedly wasting a ton of water. Just get a long hose and run it outside. I also bought an adapter for a garden hose and attatch that to my sink and fill my tank that way.

+1

This is what I do to... Just use a hose to siphon the water outside..This will help keep your water bill down too because the water company charges you for water that goes down the drain as well. The adapter to hook the hose up to your sink costs less than a dollar at Home Depot. Way cheaper than a python.

 

[KYeasting]

Just making the water flow out of the toilet bowl doesn't make it flush. You have to lift the flapper in the toilet tank to flush. Technically, it only costs you one flush.

 

[dfritschle]

While it's true that the water company charges you for sewer, they don't know how much water is going down it. They base it on the amount of water you use. Draining it outside would be better, but won't save you any money.

 

[therevolution]

While it's true that the water company charges you for sewer, they don't know how much water is going down it. They base it on the amount of water you use. Draining it outside would be better, but won't save you any money.

Oh ok, that makes sense.

Now what if you have well water and public sewer?

 

[BrandonJ]

You do realize that once you get the water flowing from the tank that you can turn the faucet "off" and the tank will continue to drain, right?

I would think you would spend more $ on electricity (using the drill pump) than you would water anyhow.

Turning the faucet off doesn't give enough power to vacuum unfortunately. Also the python even with the water on doesn't give anywhere near the power. I have found the drill pump is the fastest and easiest way.

In response to the toilet draining....draining into the toilet does not cause it to flush. It just slowly empties.

 

[cypher1024]

So I have been using buckets to transport the dirty water from my aquariums every water change(I don't like wasting so much water with the python) and then using the python to fill the tanks. Last night I discovered the drill pump at a hardware store and decided to see if I could attach a long hose to it and drain it in the toilet...Surprisingly enough it worked and even gave me enough power to vacuum gravel better then ever. It only cost me 10 bucks and now I never need to lift another bucket. Just wanted to throw the idea out there and see if anyone else uses this method.

I do something similar.
I gravel vac into a 60L (16 gal) plastic bin. I have a smallish powerhead connected to a hose that pumps from there to the sink in my bathroom.

When I'm done vacuuming, I put the bin in the bathroom and use a small bit of hose to fill it with primed water. Then I use the powerhead to pump the new water into the tank.

I would be wary about running a hose into the toilet. Aside from the infection risk to yourself and your fish, toilets see some pretty harsh chemicals that wouldn't be good in your tank.

 

[henrysusername]

whats a drill pump