foot pump for water?

**genocidex** · 09-06-2011, 07:53 PM

ok dont shoot down this idea right away but has any one ever pumped up an air mattress with one of those foot pumps? i was thinking if its air tight then it aught to be water tight right? and if its water tight then that could be used to pump water from a bucket on the ground to a tank.

im thinking this cause im having issues with my elbow lately and im having issues lifting the buckets the way i should be able to, im gona see a doctor about it and i might need to have something done idk, also for my mom too :P.

any input?

**dbosman** · 09-06-2011, 08:02 PM

It might work. If so, please let us know.
The one potential problem is cleaning it up after use. Water inside plastic things tends to grow algae.

I've seen one person use a pulley system mounted on their basement ceiling, to lift buckets.

A decent size - not the small ones - power head can pump up to most tanks.

A python type water changer can be built from a water bed fill/drain adapter and a standard garden hose. Hoses are on sale in a lot of the country this time of year.

**dizzydezzy** · 09-06-2011, 08:21 PM

You could try it, but I wouldn't count on it working. Air compresses easily, and the pump might be designed with allowances for that, and might be too flimsy for water, which does not compress nearly as much. You might find that a couple of pumps will burst the pump... Probably a good idea to try it outside first!

**genocidex** · 09-06-2011, 08:44 PM

thanks ill give it a shot when the pump comes in :P

**Wild Turkey** · 09-06-2011, 10:05 PM

Sounds like a good idea. Im also curious to see if it works, I dont have any tanks on ground level anymore because its a pain to change them without a pump, but i see the type of pumps you are talking about at yard sales all the time for next to nothing.

**genocidex** · 09-07-2011, 12:49 AM

the tanks arent on the gound but something like this will illuminate the need for lifting buckets. idk what i did to my elbow but ive put so much icy hot on it im getting chem burns >.> so i got a friend to help with my water change this week and maybe next

**Wild Turkey** · 09-07-2011, 12:57 AM

I know with taller tanks I tend to scrape the inside of my armpit on the edge of the trim and give myself some nice road rash when im doing stuff to the bottom. Thats why I retired my 45g.

This hobby is more hazardous than people think!

**Brhino** · 09-07-2011, 01:29 AM

Any reason why you haven't tried a python?

**genocidex** · 09-07-2011, 02:34 AM

you mean from sink to tank thing? not too do able, 1 i think its a waist of water, 2 the distance from sink tank is about 40 feet (i think.)

i might go that route eventually, also when im doing my mbuna tank i want to be able to treat my water going in b4 it hits the tank.

**dbosman** · 09-08-2011, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by genocidex

you mean from sink to tank thing? not too do able, 1 i think its a waist of water, 2 the distance from sink tank is about 40 feet (i think.)i might go that route eventually, also when im doing my mbuna tank i want to be able to treat my water going in b4 it hits the tank.

Yes, they are a waste of water, but hurting yourself is a waste too.

Forty feet isn't an issue, other than the couple of gallons wasted filling the hose. Python water changers used to come in 75 foot models.

When you fill using a hose of any kind, use a dose of De-chlorinanator for the whole tank before filling. Prime is safe for this type of use.