Small Pump for water changes

OffRoad322 · 08/07/2018, 11:31 PM

What pumps do you use for water changes? I'm still using buckets and it would be nice to use a very small Pump instead of dumping buckets.

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Tastee · 08/08/2018, 01:53 AM

I use an Aqua One maxi. They come in a range of sizes and I currently use the smallest as I already had one I used to use my freshwater tank as a circulator. If I was buying one now I would get one a little larger, just to speed up the fill process.

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lapin · 08/08/2018, 08:00 AM

It would help to know how much water you want to move and how fast. I do 60 gallon water changes and it takes about 15 min. Danner 18 to put water in the sump. Sicce 5 to remove it.

billdogg · 08/08/2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

It would help to know how much water you want to move and how fast. I do 60 gallon water changes and it takes about 15 min. Danner 18 to put water in the sump. Sicce 5 to remove it.

^^^This^^^

I use a mag18 as well, but my 55g barrel is in the basement, the DT in the living room. When this pump dies, I'll replace it with something that moves more, faster, but I tend to get impatient waiting for it to do it's job.

lpsouth1978 · 08/08/2018, 09:46 AM

I just bought a CHEAP pump off amazon, I'm talking like $15. IMO there is no reason to go expensive on the water change pump. It doesn't have to be super reliable or efficient because it is not getting used much. I think I actually went too big on mine and will likely order a smaller one in the near future.

AlSimmons · 08/08/2018, 09:52 AM

If your not moving a whole lot of water very far you can't go wrong with an Aquaclear 402 or maybe an 802 powerhead. Everybody carries these, they're not very expensive and they last forever.
You can also use it to blast your rocks on occasion too.

OffRoad322 · 08/08/2018, 12:44 PM

Just need something simple to pump out of 5 gal buckets...my only concern is running it dry so I am hoping find a small pump that draws from the flat bottom.

scooter31707 · 08/08/2018, 12:47 PM

Look into the Maxi-jet 600 or 900

aznflyfisherman · 08/09/2018, 10:24 AM

What type of hose do u guys use to attach to the pump? I saw a 50ft 100ft 1/4 inch garden hose at dollar store, can these be use for water change, u guys tjink tjis is safe?

lpsouth1978 · 08/09/2018, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznflyfisherman

What type of hose do u guys use to attach to the pump? I saw a 50ft 100ft 1/4 inch garden hose at dollar store, can these be use for water change, u guys tjink tjis is safe?

I just get some acrylic hose from the hardware store.

allendehl · 08/09/2018, 11:28 AM

I got a couple of these and they work like a charm. I got them for $21 and have been doing 2 WC/month for about 10 months now.

I noticed they went up in price, I paid $21 each.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

jamie1981 · 08/09/2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpsouth1978

I just get some acrylic hose from the hardware store.

I think you mean vinyl tubing. There is no such thing as acrylic hose.

Any vinyl tubing that will match the hosebarb connection on your pump will work fine.

jamie1981 · 08/09/2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznflyfisherman

What type of hose do u guys use to attach to the pump? I saw a 50ft 100ft 1/4 inch garden hose at dollar store, can these be use for water change, u guys tjink tjis is safe?

1/4" is way to small and would be hard to fit to a aquarium pump. 1/4" is what you see on RO/DI units

artieg · 08/09/2018, 12:18 PM

Mag 9.5
I don't like waiting around

lpsouth1978 · 08/09/2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie1981

I think you mean vinyl tubing. There is no such thing as acrylic hose.

Any vinyl tubing that will match the hosebarb connection on your pump will work fine.

ding ding ding....

You sir, are correct. Thank you for righting my wrong.

RussC · 08/11/2018, 09:14 AM

The more you do these water changes you will realize the faster you want to get them done. I'd recommend buying a pump large enough to be your return pump back up for your tank should your primary fail. Not only will you have a backup, but you'll have a kick butt water change pump. Just to drive home my point...I wanted to speed up my water changes so much I installed an entire utility sink in the closet of the nearest bathroom just so I could run the Python Siphon!

mark344 · 08/11/2018, 10:20 AM

I use a Dc pump and serves as a back up in case my return pump is down, and 50ft of garden hose.

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BruceWayne · 08/15/2018, 03:17 PM

went to harbor freight bought one for 6 dollars spent the extra dollar for a 2-year warranty

08/07/2018, 11:31 PM	#1
OffRoad322 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 105	Small Pump for water changes What pumps do you use for water changes? I'm still using buckets and it would be nice to use a very small Pump instead of dumping buckets. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

08/08/2018, 08:00 AM	#3
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	It would help to know how much water you want to move and how fast. I do 60 gallon water changes and it takes about 15 min. Danner 18 to put water in the sump. Sicce 5 to remove it. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

08/08/2018, 09:46 AM	#5
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I just bought a CHEAP pump off amazon, I'm talking like $15. IMO there is no reason to go expensive on the water change pump. It doesn't have to be super reliable or efficient because it is not getting used much. I think I actually went too big on mine and will likely order a smaller one in the near future. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

08/09/2018, 11:28 AM	#11
allendehl Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 692	I got a couple of these and they work like a charm. I got them for $21 and have been doing 2 WC/month for about 10 months now. I noticed they went up in price, I paid $21 each. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ [Newbie here so please take my opinions carefully] Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 350 (72G) \| Jebao DCT 4000 (1056 GPH Max) \| Reef Octopus 152-S \| 2 X Jebao PP8 (2100 GPH Max)

08/09/2018, 12:18 PM	#14
artieg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 66	Mag 9.5 I don't like waiting around __________________ 200 gallon peninsula, mixed reef 180 gallon sump, large skimmer, U/V sterilizer Three 72-inch Reefbrite XHO LED strips

08/08/2018, 01:53 AM	#2
Tastee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 277	I use an Aqua One maxi. They come in a range of sizes and I currently use the smallest as I already had one I used to use my freshwater tank as a circulator. If I was buying one now I would get one a little larger, just to speed up the fill process. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

08/08/2018, 09:52 AM	#6
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	If your not moving a whole lot of water very far you can't go wrong with an Aquaclear 402 or maybe an 802 powerhead. Everybody carries these, they're not very expensive and they last forever. You can also use it to blast your rocks on occasion too.

08/08/2018, 12:44 PM	#7
OffRoad322 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 105	Just need something simple to pump out of 5 gal buckets...my only concern is running it dry so I am hoping find a small pump that draws from the flat bottom.

08/08/2018, 12:47 PM	#8
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Look into the Maxi-jet 600 or 900

08/09/2018, 10:24 AM	#9
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	What type of hose do u guys use to attach to the pump? I saw a 50ft 100ft 1/4 inch garden hose at dollar store, can these be use for water change, u guys tjink tjis is safe?

08/11/2018, 09:14 AM	#16
RussC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast) Posts: 1,405	The more you do these water changes you will realize the faster you want to get them done. I'd recommend buying a pump large enough to be your return pump back up for your tank should your primary fail. Not only will you have a backup, but you'll have a kick butt water change pump. Just to drive home my point...I wanted to speed up my water changes so much I installed an entire utility sink in the closet of the nearest bathroom just so I could run the Python Siphon! __________________ When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17

08/11/2018, 10:20 AM	#17
mark344 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 58	I use a Dc pump and serves as a back up in case my return pump is down, and 50ft of garden hose. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/15/2018, 03:17 PM	#18
BruceWayne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 8	went to harbor freight bought one for 6 dollars spent the extra dollar for a 2-year warranty