Pump question from someone with no clue

[Joey Mig]

Ok new to this, this is my first saltwater/reef tank and am just getting everything setup. I was wondering what options there are for the best , most inexpensive pump for doing water changes. i am on a small budget.

 

[dansreef]

The most inexpensive pump is no pump at all. I have hundreds of gallons of water in reef tanks.... all of my water changes are done with simple siphoning of water from the tanks and manually replacing the water via jugs or buckets.

 

[Jvesche20]

The most inexpensive pump is no pump at all. I have hundreds of gallons of water in reef tanks.... all of my water changes are done with simple siphoning of water from the tanks and manually replacing the water via jugs or buckets.

Agreed with this. Was about to say if you're on a budget why get one? Just use something like this for $10
https://www.amazon.com/Python-Pro-Clean-Gravel-Washer-Aquarium/dp/B001V6Y3LY?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11
Just fill up the 5 gal bucket and dump it.

How large is your tank? I do this with 165 gallons of water each week.

 

[Rover]

I bought https://www.amazon.ca/VicTsing-Subm...mp+water&qid=1556647771&s=gateway&sr=8-4&th=1

Its only 20-40 depending on the style. I have tried those python hoses and hate them with a fiery passion, I could never get them to 'suck'.

When I need to clean, I use this: https://www.amazon.ca/WORKSHOP-PP01...+vac&qid=1556647817&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

It goes on a 5 gallon bucket and sucks just fine. I can even put it over a shop sink and just suck straight into it. But for doing water changes from my brute can on the floor up into a tank, I use the pump I listed above. Its easy to do.

Getting water out of tanks into other containers is best just done with a siphon, honestly.

 

[Joey Mig]

The most inexpensive pump is no pump at all. I have hundreds of gallons of water in reef tanks.... all of my water changes are done with simple siphoning of water from the tanks and manually replacing the water via jugs or buckets.

ok i have a small 40 gal , was just thinking it would be easier to heat up one large container of saltwater and pump it in then several smaller onesand dump them in. How long does it take to get a 5 gal bucket of water to temp?

 

[Joey Mig]

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Pro-Clean-Gravel-Washer-Aquarium/dp/B001V6Y3LY?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11[/URL]
Just fill up the 5 gal bucket and dump it.

How large is your tank? I do this with 165 gallons of water each week.

I have one of these from the small freshwater aquarium I have , I can use it for both , no?

 

[Jvesche20]

ok i have a small 40 gal , was just thinking it would be easier to heat up one large container of saltwater and pump it in then several smaller onesand dump them in. How long does it take to get a 5 gal bucket of water to temp?

I'm a little confused what you're trying to do. Are you trying to take water out or out it back in.

I have one of these from the small freshwater aquarium I have , I can use it for both , no?

of course you can. if your going to go from saltwater to freshwater just rinse it out so the saltwater doesnt get in the fresh water tank

 

[Joey Mig]

I am trying to get water back into the tank the easiest way , both from a work and time stand point. I figured that using a larger container that could hold 10 gallons would be the best as opposed to several smaller containers. I am sure i could lift it but think it would be safer to use a pump to return the water to the tank.

 

[High ICP]

5 gallon drinking water jugs are what I used

Small neck, less slop(not no slop)

If you’re going to do changes with a 10 gallon container, you are a bigger man than me

 

[Jvesche20]

I am trying to get water back into the tank the easiest way , both from a work and time stand point. I figured that using a larger container that could hold 10 gallons would be the best as opposed to several smaller containers. I am sure i could lift it but think it would be safer to use a pump to return the water to the tank.

Ah I see. What I said won't work then. I thought you were tanking water out.

 

[Jvesche20]

5 gallon drinking water jugs are what I used

Small neck, less slop(not no slop)

If you’re going to do changes with a 10 gallon container, you are a bigger man than me

Haha Im having to use 2 hands when doing my 5 gallon. I couldn't imagine doing a 10 gallon

 

[Joey Mig]

This is the tank I am setting up. got everything but water at this point. Ohh and i still need decent lights before I get coral. ohh and a protein skimmer. But i am going to start with just fish for now. Any way it is tall , and i am frail (lol not really but I do have back issues) so i figure a pump would best to refill it.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-first-saltwater-experience-38-gal-bow-front.591477/

 

[Potatohead]

You just need a little 300 gph pump or so to move water. Something like a Lifegard 800 is cheap and works well.

 

[smellytunic]

Or check out the small to medium sized maxi-jet powerheads. Just need to place the bucket on the floor near the tank run some tubing from the powerhead to the tank and plug it in. If you have back issues this saves you from having to lift it up to pour water into the tank but you will still need to carry the bucket to the tank.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I use the pump in the link below to refill my tanks that are not setup for AWC. It has a ceramic shaft, was cheap enough with a 20% off coupon in their flyer and has been going strong for 2 years.

https://www.harborfreight.com/200-gph-submersible-fountain-pump-with-auto-shutoff-63403.html

 

[Joey Mig]

Gotta love harbor freight ...it is the big boys toy store ....second only to rural king. Thank you all for the advice and knowledge.

 

[Aquavaj]

Since this is for non critical use I'd just pick up one from Amazon. For the price of that 300gph one you could get a 800gph one from Amazon. If you just need around 300gph they run $12-13.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Since this is for non critical use I'd just pick up one from Amazon. For the price of that 300gph one you could get a 800gph one from Amazon. If you just need around 300gph they run $12-13.

Just make sure it has a ceramic shaft. I used one from amazon for a bit and it did not last to long, even flushing it with fresh water afterwards, the shaft rusted up quick.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Cobalt and jebao are good ones for this purpose

 

[Ferrell]

I change 15 gallons every 2 weeks. I have a small $12 pump I use to pump from my brut container to the sump. If I had it to do over I would’ve gotten a little bigger pump so it would pump into tank but I make it work