Mixing station / water change question

[mickske]

So I'm in the planning phase of a mixing station. I'm thinking going with a simple layout where i have 2 brute cans that with switching some valves can stir the water or pump the water from one to an other.

I'm planning to make one outlet where i connect a hose to the aquarium to fill it up when i do a water change.

Bow the question is could i use my external pump (probably pan world 100px) to pull water out of the tank?

On the inlet of the pump I'm planning to do an X connection where one is an inlet from RO, one is an inlet from, one goes into pump and one has a hose connection that i can connect to my aquarium. So the idea is to hang the hose in the aquarium and then let the pump, pump water out of the aquarium through my outlet tube right into the drain.

My tank is about 20 feet from the mixing station with a head of max 6 feet.

What do you think? I'm trying to eliminate any bucket hauling since i have a bad back... And i hope my explanation makes sense.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Flippers4pups]

A panworld 100px should work. It's max head is 21ft. Though your going up 6ft at 20ft distance.

 

[mickske]

So i know it will work for pumping into the aquarium but what about pulling water out of there? My main concern is if there is no water in the hose in the beginning of water change will i damage my pump since it will be running dry for a bit before water passes...

 

[Big G]

I just use a small cheap submersible pump hooked up to some 1/2" clear tubing to take water out of the tank. If the water coming out is going down away from the tank, you only have to plug in the pump to get the siphon started. Works pretty well.

 

[mickske]

That's what i do now as well I'm just trying to get everything of one system connect one hose turn some valves and drain and fill it within minutes.

 

[ltmsc]

I made a “u” tube out of pvc to hang on the tank. My hose has quick connects on each end, one from my hang on u and one to my mixing station plumbing. You have to Prime the pump with water, it won’t suck all the air out. I overcame this by drilling a small hole on my u tube. Inserting a piece of silicone airline tubing, silicone it in. I connected an in line airline valve to the tubing and put another small piece airline tubing to that. To Prime my pump (get water into the tubing), I open the airline valve and suck the air out with my mouth. This takes less then a minute. Water will fill the tubing, shut the airline valve, turn your pump on, and you are good to go.

 

[mickske]

That sounds cool. Any chance you have a pic of how you setup your u for the tank?

I have a U already but doesn't have airline tubing or anything in it yet.

 

[Big G]

That's what i do now as well I'm just trying to get everything of one system connect one hose turn some valves and drain and fill it within minutes.

I thought about doing what you are suggesting, but I didn't want "dirty" water from the tank to get back into the pump and the hose. I just couldn't figure out an easy way to flush the hose and pump of the old tank water.

 

[ltmsc]

 

[Daltrey]

Here is mine

 

[mickske]

Nice setup!

 

[Big G]

Here's mine. Works pretty good. Only thing I have changed is the hose. Went with a white RV hose.

 

[mickske]

Also nice. I want to nice containers as well but they are so freakin expensive...

 

[Big G]

Also nice. I want to nice containers as well but they are so freakin expensive...

Amazon 117.00 each including shipping. Best price around I could find. Lots of places sell the tank cheaper, but the shipping was just crazy.

 

[ltmsc]

I have similar 35 gallon tanks. I got them from Tractor Supply Company. They stock them and I believe that are under $100. I built a stand and have them on top of each other. Doesn’t take much space.

 

[ltmsc]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/horizontal-leg-tank-35-gal?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Daltrey]

https://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-25-gallon-vertical-dome-top-tank-vt0025-18.html

$125 shipped for two.

 

[mickske]

Thanks I'm going to give this a shot!

Thanks for the links of the tanks as well everyone!

 

[Bmezz]

 

[Bmezz]

for above i used tanks from Rural King they were great. I use a PVC hose from the mixing station to the DT in the other room. No buckets for anything! A 55gallon brute can on wheels takes care of waste water!