Pump for water changes?

[HeyNow]

I am looking for some sort of mechanical pump to use for water changes.

I have a 125g tank, and a slop sink close by. Right now we are running a hose that siphons out via regular old gravity but it takes FOREVER

We bought one of those things that you can run with a drill, and its fine- as long as you keep the drill running. Once you stop the drill, the flow of water stops.

What kind of pump would be good to hook up for faster water changes?

[Oskar]

There is a couple of different things you could use.

A python siphon would be the cheapest,but there are a few different brands of these.Look around for the best price,

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Or a water pump,

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[The Shield]

I've thought about purchasing an electrical pump for my 100g as I agree with the OP that regular syphoning takes a long time even with a python, which I have. I actually thought about taking it a step further and droping down a water line to fill the tank. Only draw back is it will only be cold water as I'm not about to run a new hot water line and install a faucet above the tank. If I go this route I'll have to buy an in-line heater so it can run while I'm slowly filling the tank back up.

To the OP....you can find a small 1/2 hp pump for around $75-100. Last I looked Home Depot sold one online, not sure about in store though.

[gadget228]

I have one of these that is the 300GPH model that I use for water cooling on my computers and it works pretty well and isn't expensive,

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[korith]

I use a small fountain pump (384gph), I got on clearance for $20. When I do water changes, I drain the tanks into a large bin in the middle of the room, then pump the water across the apt into the drain in the laundry room. Works well enough. I refill the tanks using a python like attachment from the sink. Used to drain tanks using the python facet adapter too, but trying to conserve water.

[lowlight]

I second the Harbor freight deal unless you want to spend more money.

[Padams]

if you have a slop (laundry) sink then run you water line and adjust to close temp by mixing h&c water at the faucet. You could use a shop vac for water removal but 1) you need a screen to cover the end so you don't pull out anything, 2) it will be stressful to the fish with the noise and draw.
You could diminish these by blanket around vac and add length to the hose to diminish suction.

[HeyNow]

Thanks for all of the replies- I think we are going to try the Harbor Freight item. Right now what we do is run a hose from the sink to the tank- fill the hose with water, and then let it start a syphon back into the sink.

To fill the tank we screw the hose onto the faucet and mix hot/cold water to get the right temp.

We add dechlorinator right to the tank so the tap water mixes with that as it enters the tank.

One other question- the water out of my tap is VERY full of air and it creates a lot of gas bubbles. A book I read about fish and tank set up said that is very bad for them as the gas bubbles can dissolve through their scales and into their bodies- causing health issues.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to dissipate the gas as the water is coming out of the hose? With a tank that size I really don't have the option of doing it manually with buckets.

[Padams]

It is most likely just air. I don't know of any potable water that would off-gas. long fill tube with the bottom capped might ease your mind. run you hose in it and as it over flows it fill the tank. But I wouldn't worry about it on mine.

[HeyNow]

I ended up getting this:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

It is worth every pennythumbs2:

[lowlight]

Hope it works for ya.