Does anybody use pumps to DIY a powered siphon pump?

t5Nitro · Sep 26, 2020

Just wondering if this is a far out question or if people are using a type of utility pump with attached long tubing to create a powered shop vac type siphon for your tanks? I'd be interested in something powerful enough with long enough tubing that I could either have it sitting inside the tank on the bottom glass as needed, or an extern pump sitting next to the tank, with long enough tubing to reach all areas of the tank and the drain tubing long enough to run into the filter sock in the sump to clean all the detritus and algae off the back and bottom.

Looking for ideas for a quick build if anybody is using anything like this. Was thinking the smallest mag-drive pump with long vinyl tubing attached. Thinking you could even attach shop vac nozzles like this one to the end.

shwareefer · Sep 26, 2020

I just put a H.O.T. magnum on the tank with a rubber hose shoved up the intake when I want to do a thorough cleaning. The tubing doesn't even need to be a tight fit in the intake and it will suck fine. Any external canister or diatom filter will work awesome as well. Easier than trying to rig something up through a filter sock IMO.