Could I...

[Xielos]

...buy a cheap powerhead and some tubing, and use it as a pump to drain my tank for water changes? It seems like a sound idea, but I wanted to see what you guys think...

[sublime1184]

yes, and you could also place it in your bucket (if you use buckets for water changes rather than a python) and have it fill water into your tank as well.

[beviking]

Sure you could. The old syphon method doesn't work for you I take it? Most folks use power heads to pump water back into the tank (after treating/mixing) but it can go both ways.
Of course, you won't be vacuuming the gravel with it.

[Xielos]

...unless I attactch a gravel vac to one end...BWAHAHAAHA!! Or would it suck up all my gravel? :hang:

[telecubby]

nope it wouldn't suck up grvel with gravel vac attatchment .I'm curious wether the powerhead would restrict the suctions flowrate through the hose even if the powerheads on their would be impeller obstrution , I like the way you think.the powerhead may create pressure increaseing flowrate through hose. oyu did say small powerhead . I think a large powehead would increase flow but the small one I use may not even adjitate the gravel :)

[beviking]

Just have to match the power head to the right size gravel tube. If it sucks up gravel, go with a) bigger gravel tube or b) smaller power head.
Get a syphon going with your current gravel tube (assuming you have one) and measure the flow. Try to gauge how far up the tube the gravel was pulled and you can try to guess what size power head (flow rate) you might want. Of course, if it's too strong, just don't push the tube down into the gravel as far.