My new 125 tank will be located in my basement.

Since I'm afraid of clogging up my drain, how can I pump water
out of my tank through the window that will be right behind the tank.

I can easily open a window and pump the water out the window from my tank.

I don't have a sink in the basement that will allow me to hook up a python, so
that option is out. Although I will be filling it up with a python from my kitchen sink
located upstairs.

What can I rig up or purchase that will allow me to both gravel vacuum the bottom
substrate while pumping water out the window?

Thanks!

A small external pump maybe Hmmmm you can also put a valve on it to adjust your flow.

Preacherboy, are you going to have to move the water up to a window?

How far do you have to go "up" to the window? Also what's in your budget?

You can get one of these bad boys! Or check out one of the smaller ones. Look at the specs. The "max head" is the distance upward. Hook it to the end of your python outside and gravel vac away! If I were you though I would put a stocking or something to block big debris from reaching the pump, or something really bad could happen!

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/198925/i/7/product.web

Thanks, ladies! Good Job

Aura: Yes, the tank will sit directly under the window. The window is only about
1 1/2 feet above the tank lids.

Rena: I was thinking of some kind of water pump. I don't think I need a large
gph model, but something that will have enough power to vacuum the
sand thoroughly while removing the water from the tank.

I hope when you said thanx ladies you did not include me twitchy

http://www.jehmco.com/html/safety_siphon_aquarium_drain.html


Here is something that I have been using for a few years now. I vac a couple of bucket fulls to clean the sand then pump it to the nearest drain from the bucket. Then I use it to pump the tank down. It has been a back saver.

Here is the url but I cant make it link for some reason? Hmmmm

Hey DaveB, when I clicked on the link, it sad "bad address."

Can you relink it or just give me a website address for this product?

This sounds like just what I need! Bouncy Bouncy

Thanks again, everyone! the Clap

Sorry Geelite, I wasn't calling you a lady!

My apologies, sir!

No worries preacherboy Wiggle it just a little bit!

Preacherboy, I have no idea if this is what DaveB was talking about, but you can take a look at it, while waiting for his response.
http://www.jehmco.com/html/safety_siphon_aquarium_drain.html

I believe this is probably what DaveB is talking about! Bouncy

This is really cool! the Clap

I will still need DaveB to tell me exactly how he keeps sand out of his
drain and maybe a few other details worth knowing! Hmmmm

This is exactly why I really love this forum! Good Job

Great info and great people with a passion for the hobby! grup hug

Cichlid Haven Rocks! Prboy

I'd be interested to know more about it as well, preacherboy.

I've been looking at those siphons off and on for a long time now. I drain my tanks with a regular gravel vac right out the window and refill with a python. The only complaint I really have is that the draining takes so long and I was thinking something like that safety siphon would pump it out faster. It looks pretty easy to replicate if you like DIY.

Yep that is exactly what i was just gonna say, DIY it. An idea i have regarding not getting sand sucked in is get a much longer vac pipe thingy or like i mentioned before, put a valve on it to control the flow.

Sorry about the bum link but the one Aura has posted is the one! I have the one with the 500 gph powerhead. You can probably make one for a portion of the price but ... I can be lazy Blush .

As I had mentioned earlier I vac my sand into a couple of bucket to clear the waste that has accumulated. I'll either pump the bucket into a sink or carry a couple of bucketfuls to the nearest commode. The thing I like the most about it is you suction cup it to the tank and set the height of the powerhead either to the level you want to remove or a couple of inches off the sand. It come in handy for my weekly 50% water changes.

Preacherboy, did you end up ordering one of these siphons?

If so, can you tell us a little about how it's working out? Do you like it?

I'm giving it some serious thought -- I'd like to reduce some of my draining time.

Sure thing, Aura!

I bought the super siphon model for $44 from Jehmco Supply.

Best $44 I ever spent in this hobby as far as maintenance equipment goes.

As mentioned earlier, my 125 tank is located in my basement and I wanted to
be able to do water changes without clogging up my basement's drain pipe with
sand.

All I have to do is hang the super siphon on the side of the tank, swing the pvc
pipe to get the pump to the desired level of emptying the tank and plug it in!

It will drain the water at a rate of 500 gph and if I do a 25% w/c, it usually takes about 5 minutes or so.

I actually sit on the couch while it does its thing!

Now, of course, it doesn't siphon debris off the bottom, so once a month, I resort back to the bucket thing, but even with nearly 45 fish in my tank and some big ones at that, I only have to empty out 2 buckets of water from the bottom of the tank; one bucket from each side of the tank!

I also use it on my 75 gallon tank as well!

Although it doesn't siphon water off the bottom, it is still a very nice piece of equipment and I would highly recommend one!

And if money is not an issue, go ahead and buy the one I did because you will not regret the ease of use and speed in which water changes can happen!

I can thoroughly clean my 125, 75, 29, 10 gallon tank in just under 1 1/2 hours and that includes refilling them with the python!

BTW, you will need a python for the super siphon or you can just use a garden hose to help getting the water outside of your home!

If you have any other questions, just let me know!

And again, thanks DaveB for letting me know about this piece of equipment!

I'm glad to hear that you like it! I think I will go ahead and order one -- I've been looking at them for so long now, I might as well do it and stop wasting so much time! I already have a python, but I drain my tanks out of the window with a regular vacuum tube and it's so slow.

So now my question would be which one, the 500 gph or 296? The cost won't be a problem, but does the 500 gph model seem like overkill on your 75 gallon, preacherboy? That's my largest size tank.

Thanks for your help. Tres Bien!

Not really, Aura!

I believe the same pvc set up is used to make both models.

Again, just remember that is doesn't siphon water off the bottom, so
you will still occassionally have to use a bucket to get the fish poop!

In addition, I bought the 500 gph model because of the price difference.

Also, if you ever did get a larger tank in the future, then you are already
prepared for it!

Good luck, and when you get it, let me know how you like it!

I'll just siphon the poop right out the window with my regular vacuum, like I usually do, and then drain the rest of the water with the super siphon.

Thanks again, and I'll let you know how it goes.

I went to Home Depot and bought a submersible pump. I hook it to a hose. One good thing about it is its powerfull enough that it also stirs up some of the gravel and suspendes the junk. Then inturn it pumps out the junk with the water.
I also drain my higher tanks into a trash can on wheels and use the same pump to
send that out too.

Do you have any pictures, finman? Does the hose readily attach to the pump, or do you have to look for a special fitting?

I do cut one end off and add a male end on it but thats found right with the hoses.
I will try to get a picture later if I can. I have it cut because the other end is attached to a hose real so I can wind it up. If you were not using a hose real and just sending it out the window you would not have to do any modifications.
The pumps are in with the sump pumps at HD. The one I have now even has a feature that if it runs out of water it will shut off. So I can put the thing in the trash can let it run if I have to leave the room for a couple minutes.