Using an FX5 to quickly drain a tank?

[johnnycoolxx]

I remember reading a post a long time ago about draining tanks using an FX5. You unplug it, attach a very long vinyl hose to the output connector, throw the tube end in the backyard and plug in. Then the FX5 would act as a pump to drain all the water.

I was thinking about trying this. Does anyone else do this during water changes? I've got a few big tanks and I want to find a way to change the water faster than I can with a python.

 

[ScatMan]

i can't help with fx5 but if you bought a thicker hose (i have a 1") to siphon it will go a LOT faster, filling still takes a while.

 

[Natalie]

I think JK47 used that method to transfer all water from an old tank to a new one. I guess you could use the same concept to drain the tank water completely!

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Yes follow JK47

 

[Dr_Shakalu]

Just us a hose. That way you won't have anything happen to your fx5 and there really isn't any advantage.

 

[asm129]

Just us a hose. That way you won't have anything happen to your fx5 and there really isn't any advantage.

By "just use a hose" you mean just siphon normally? That's gonna be a lot slower than using the FX5 to drain all the water out.

 

[svtim]

I use the drain on my fx5. And yes you can drain the tank the way you mentioned just make sure youre intake is set very low

 

[Juice79]

I use this method every week on my tank, works great and much less chance of mess with the siphon hose method. I have a spare output connector already connected to a 25ft 1" hose so its just a quick switch for me. Just make sure you remember to close the intake valve when switching the output nozzle....otherwise you will have an instant flood...

 

[Jc1119]

Just us a hose. That way you won't have anything happen to your fx5 and there really isn't any advantage.

The main advantage is speed. I know my sink definitely won't flow 600 gph but an fx5 would.

 

[KaiserSousay]

The main advantage is speed. I know my sink definitely won't flow 600 gph but an fx5 would.

A 1 in. hose at full siphon stuck through a door/window, will flow at or darn close to that number.
A 1 in. hose hooked to a Python is a waste of time, if that is what you were thinking.