Electric siphons?

[JingoFresh]

Do electric siphons exist? I've tried searching to buy one, without much luck.

Reason being, my sump is at floor level in a cabinet under my DT. I often can't get the last 5/10 gallons of water out of my big container due to the height being too similar, even if on a chair.

Are there any electric pumps or sipihons for around $20 that can help with this?

[Odysi]

Wet/dry vacuums

[JingoFresh]

Will these actually pump water out? The vacuums I've seen only seem to vacuum, not pump water out.

[billdogg]

python siphon is what you are looking for. It attaches to the faucet and uses the venturi action of the water to create suction. By far the easiest way to do a water change. I firmly believe that it should be in every aquarium keeper's fish room.

[JingoFresh]

I can't use that....I do my water changes from RO/DI water in a large 30g bucket.

No tap water for me.

[Pife]

It doesn't fill the tank with tap water it uses it to create a siphon.

[JingoFresh]

Still not what I'm looking for...

Just wanted a portable pump that can suck water out quickly and reliably...., no need to be near a tap faucet.

Since they don't seem to be easily found, I'm guess they don't really exist.

[billdogg]

use a maxijet or a small mag pump. Or just pick the bucket up and pour it out. Or elevate the bucket a little. Why make it harder than it has to be?

[Odysi]

The python will do what you want. You are trying to keep the siphon going even when the water level is lower. The venturi that attaches to the faucet keeps the siphon going and the tap water doesn't go into the system unless you reverse it and choose to push the water in.

[JingoFresh]

I'm not making it harder than it has to be, I'm trying to make it easier.

Bucket is too heavy to lift easily when the siphon stops, and due to the way my tank is set up would be messy to poor in.

Anyway, found some on Walmart...will just have to see how well they work.

[Waters40]

I just use a normal utility pump like you would have in your sump. Sit it on the bottom and turn it on.

[leveldrummer]

Im confused why you dont just use a small pump with a piece of hose attached? no siphon needed.

[thegrun]

Be a man, suck it up!

[kurt_n]

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

Im confused why you dont just use a small pump with a piece of hose attached? no siphon needed.

Yup. Maxijet 1200 with a piece of vinyl tubing stuck on the outlet. That's how I get my new salt water out of my storage tub and into my 5g bucket for water changes.

[JingoFresh]

I'd love to use my return pump, makes perfect sense.

It's just connected so securely to my return piping, I don't know if I could dismantle and reassemble each time.

Any suggestions on a cheap pump that comes with hose?

[Pife]

Buy a Maxijet and then some vinyl tubing and your good to go.

[JingoFresh]

I'm look at buying a this small pump that is 95gph, and only $12.

I'm guessing if it can do 95gph then 30 gallons should take less than 20 minutes, 15 gallons even less.

How would I securely connect the tubing so it doesn't leak?

[billdogg]

It has 3' of head. That means that it cannot push water higher than 3' before stopping flow. If you are using a 30g barrel as you say, your net flow over the top will be about, um, 0. Spend a couple more dollars and get something that will actually work. (like a MJ1200, $18- $25 online)

As for getting the tubing to stay on - get vinyl tubing that is a tight fit, heat it in boiling water, press it in place and allow it to cool.

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

I bought a 20 dollar power head at petco, a length of vinyl tubing, and that's perfect for pumping water into or out of the tank...

I have seen battery operated siphons but they are generally used to pump gas out of a gas can, but I suppose it could work. Check a local marina...

[oh207]

I used to suck it up. But the problem with that is in a few instances I swallowed.
Now I have a MJ1200 that I use to pump water out of my sump and another that I use to pump water from mixing container back into sump.

[1fishkeeper]

I have two maxi jets. One pumping water out and the other pumping it in. I just have to keep a eye on it while doing it. I pump 5 gallons out into a bucket then unplug it. Then plug the other one in pump in 5 new gallons of water. Dump and repeat as required for a water change. Simple and easy. Just like everyone one else said just get some vinyl hose heat one end push it on then for extra I put a zip tie on also so I know its not going to fall off.

[Indymann99]

I use a Mag pump at the bottom of my mix tank. it pumps down to about 2in from the bottom.

I have a Mag5 in my sump that is used for WC to pump water out to drain. also pumps down to about 2in. I use a shop vac to suck up the remaining 2in and any detrius on the bottom.



my WC system.. might give you some ideas.

[atrox]

Originally Posted by thegrun

Be a man, suck it up!

True

[JingoFresh]

Bought a rio pump and and $30 rio pump...made a world of difference in how quickly it was to do a change.

At the moment, my 30 gallon bucket is about 25 feet from my DT at my sink. I can empty tank into sink and then when my new water is made, switch pump in and pump it back in.

How is the python tool different from a pump with vinyl tubing? How does attaching to a faucet help?

[billdogg]

It's very similar to a waterbed fill/drain attachment. For marine use, it's great for removing water/cleaning the substrate during routine maintenance. If it were a freshwater tank, you could then just reverse it to fill the tank back up.