Python Gravel Vac

[screaminleeman]

sink is about the same elevation as the bottom of my tank. Its impossible to drain water out of my sump of my 210 gallon, which is on the floor.

Would it be possible to get a water pump to help the water along and drain faster?

It would be interesting how you would incorporate the water pump into the gravel vacum! I assume that if you rigged some sort of impellor system into a gravel vacum that it would work fine.

I would first evaluate your home setup. If your place is anything like mine, you should be able to run the hose outside to the lawn at a lower elevation. This will be your easiest and cheapest solution. You avoid the heavy lifting and water your lawn at the same time!

The water pump from your home should be plenty strong enough to force water for fill from your sink python to your fish tank(s) regardless of elevation.

 

[Carefree_Dude]

i can fill the tanks plenty fast. the problem is draining. What I would do, is cut my drain hose close to the end. I'd use hose barbs attached to the pump to connect the hosing through it. I'd make another cut, and add one of those "Squeeze" things, that will force water from the tank up to the pump so it doesn't run dry. then it would be as simple as plugging in the pump. I'd be concerned about waste clogging the pump though, as there wouldn't be anything to protect the intake.


In the summer, i can drain it outside and it's faster. in the winter though, not only would I let the cold air in... but the hose would freeze. I've tried this before, and sure enough it froze.

 

[Chicklette]

I love my python. The bucket method breaks your back and takes forever.

 

[david yurik]

carefree my 45 is in the kitchen about 15 feet from my sink. the heights are normal stand and sink type height. i drained 20 gallons in about 12 ish minutes? i wasn't that focused on the clock as i was so excited to finally do a wc with ease. i did all the gravel and sat back for a few like 3dees waiting for the level to hit my mark. i always wondered why pics show the python just sittin there. the work was already done thats why.

i don't think filling 20 gallons back into took more than 5 minutes. i had enough time to add chemicals and observe the effects of the stress on some small tetras before it was time to stop. definately less than 25 minutes for the entire evolution probably closer to 20.

 

[screaminleeman]

i can fill the tanks plenty fast. the problem is draining. What I would do, is cut my drain hose close to the end. I'd use hose barbs attached to the pump to connect the hosing through it. I'd make another cut, and add one of those "Squeeze" things, that will force water from the tank up to the pump so it doesn't run dry. then it would be as simple as plugging in the pump. I'd be concerned about waste clogging the pump though, as there wouldn't be anything to protect the intake.


In the summer, i can drain it outside and it's faster. in the winter though, not only would I let the cold air in... but the hose would freeze. I've tried this before, and sure enough it froze.

Yea, winter isn't the funnest with this style of w/c. It is indeed chilly in my basement when I do wc's. Even though the hose is only 1/2" wide, the 1/2" crack in the sliding glass door is more than enough to let the cold air in. It must be way colder where you are in Kansas then here in Maryland. I have only had the hose "freeze" once on me though. I learned my lesson and never allow the water to sit stationary in the hose during water changes anymore. I assume that this is how the water froze in the hose to begin with. It would require negative degree F. temperature to freeze the water while flowing through the hose.

I despise the cold and have to give a major thankyou shoutout to the head honcho who keeps the Maryland winters on the positive side of zero.

It would make an excellent "sticky" post in the DIY section were you to document your build of the power gravel vacum system that you described above. Good luck!

 

[Carefree_Dude]

another problem would be to find a pump with the proper size input/output for your hose.


another fun option would be to hook up the hose to a disiel powered pressure spayer....

 

[ramcharger1979]

another problem would be to find a pump with the proper size input/output for your hose.


another fun option would be to hook up the hose to a disiel powered pressure spayer....

The right size pond pump or fountain pump should work

 

[Freezekougra]

sink is about the same elevation as the bottom of my tank. Its impossible to drain water out of my sump of my 210 gallon, which is on the floor.

Would it be possible to get a water pump to help the water along and drain faster?

Just buy a powerhead and attach it to the end of the hose inside the tank. 294gph maxijet only costs $21 at kensfish.com

 

[Milpool]

Have had one for a long time, & when you have a huge tank, they are worth every penny. Just wish that the part that connects to the faucet was available in brass, they tend to break easily.

Mine is made of brass.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I'm gonna throw it out there and claim the Aqueon brand water changer is far superior in quality to the python. However, order the python brand brass sink connector, then you have the best of both worlds.