How would I make this?

[roliva]

Right now on my 75 gallon, for water changes, I siphon out into buckets then use the python to drain the old dirty water. My tank is in the basement, and the drain (I share it with my washing machine) is about 4 feet high that connects to the pvc pipe (sewer line).

It is not so bad timewise but I'm pondering - some day when I get a much bigger tank to save time, I'm thinking about some type of set up to pump the dirty water into some type of rubbermaid container then just turn on some type of pump to get rid of the water into the 4 foot high drain. This sounds pretty feasible and wondering if anyone has ever done this and what they used to make it?

Thanks.
Romeo.

 

[OldVamp]

I don't remember if it was a pump or a power head, but you put it at the level you want to drain to via suction cups or make a pvc "hanger" and once the water is below the intake it cant pump any more water out.

 

[daveedka]

In practicle terms, you are proposing the same system many of us use to pump our prepared change water into the tank. I bought a MAG pump, and am thus far very pleased with it. I can pump thirty gallons from the barrel into my tank in about 8 minutes, much faster and it would be hard to control the current created. I chose Mag due to price, essentially I took all the reccomendations I could and found the most economical. Unless I have problems I'll probably stick with these pumps. attachments are easy, they come with a prefilter sponge, and they pump to a good height. All models are marked for free flow at various head heights so you have a better idea of what you are really getting.

 

[JSchmidt]

I use a number of Mag pumps for filling/draining various tanks. I use one at work for a purpose very similar to what you describe: I use it to drain a 180 (it takes forever at gravity-siphon flow rates) for water changes. I use two lengths of Python hose, one on each side of the pump. I start water flowing down the tube into the pump just as you would start a gravel vac siphon. As soon as the pump is filled, I plug it in and let it start pulling water from the tank.

With your application, I would think you could easily scrap the Rubbermaid container and just attach the pump inline. If it pulls too fast from the tank (e.g., sucks up your gravel when vacuuming), you can add a small ball valve to regulate the flow. Works great.

Most Mag pumps will easily be able to lift the water 4' and the larger pumps will be able to do so at a pretty good rate. (I would guess the actual head measurement would be between the tank water level and the drain, not the distance from the floor to the drain, anyway.)

HTH,
Jim

 

[anonapersona]

Via Aqua 1300

A via Aqua 13oo will handle that height easily, $17 at DrsFosterSmith.com, plus they show a flow vs head chart for all the pumps.

 

[JSchmidt]

I think you'll want more ooomph than that. The 1300 will provided about 190 GPH at 4' head. That will seem pretty slow if you have a tank larger than 30 gallons... especially when you consider that those figures are optimistic, and don't seem to include resistance from the hose run, etc.

I'd recommend you get the highest capacity pump you can afford, unless time considerations aren't important.

Jim

 

[roliva]

Excellent info,
Thanks everyone.

 

[beviking]

How about going to the local hardware store and picking up a 4" pvc "Y" coupling and cutting the drain line near the floor. Install the "Y" at floor level (or a couple inches above) and just drain directly into it. Of course, you want the "Y" with a female thread in one end so you can screw a waste trap cap into it. Just a thought.

 

[roliva]

Do you mean installing the drain line near the floor (in the basement)? If so, I would still need a pump to draw the water back to the main drain that is around 4 feet high.

 

[Slannesh]

Hey, I think beviking is talking about actually cutting the drain pipe off at the floor and installing the Y there. That way you still have the original drain as you always have and the capped one closer to the floor so you don't have to overcome the 4' of height to drain.