Cheap water pumps on Ebay for water changes?

[Jeremy S]

Hi, I just moved and would like to set up a semi-auto water changing system in my utility room where I could treat the tap water and then pump it upstairs for use in my tanks. To do this I’ll need a pump that has at least a 12 ft head and it looks like I’d have to spend over $100 if I buy a pump built specifically for aquariums.

I was looking on Ebay and there are numerous no name brand water pumps that claim to have heads of over 200 ft going for less then $30 including shipping. Even if the specs are exaggerated they still look like they could have a 12 ft head.

Here is a link to one of them: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:EF:US:11

So, do you think I should risk using one of these non aquarium pumps to fill my tanks? I would not use it for circulation so the water would have little contact with the impeller and it would be on for less then 30 minutes each week.

Thanks,
Jeremy