Need a really tiny pump that can push some water.

[SaltyMist]

During my water changes it's really getting tough to lift the 5 gallon jug up high enough [because of a bad back] (and not spill it all over my desk and carpet) to refill during a water change.

So I took an old Rio 50 powerhead, and hooked up the siphon hose to it, but it wouldnt fit that way into the opening on the typical 5 gallon container that one buys at LFS's. So I took off the top cap and bottom cap to the RIO 50 and tried again. After cutting off one of the legs on the RIO 50 that holds on the impellar cage, I managed to get it to fit.

I then barely squeezed it into the opening on the container of fresh saltwater, only to find out it didnt have enough ooommmppphhh to push the water up the 3 or so feet back into the tank.

So, Im looking for a really tiny pump that I can attach a siphon hose to (it's one of the larger siphon hoses, but not nearly a garden hose), so that I can pump the water from the 5 gallon container up about 3 feet or so back into the tank during my water changes.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

A maxi jet 1200 should work. I would take the water container to the LFS and try different power heads until you find on that fits.

 

[SaltyMist]

The only problem with that is finding one that will actually pump up the 3 feet that I need it to pump (for when Im at the LFS, and even though they are very very accomodating, I dont think they want me "trying" stuff out in the store to see if it will work as far as filling the container with water and trying to pump 3 feet up into the air [outside of course]), I imagine that if the maxi Jet 1200 fits, then it will certainly pump the water distance since the Rio 50 got half way there.

I have a maxi jet 1200 running my seaclone 100 but it looks a bit large to fit in the opening, but i'll check it tommorrow and see if I can squeeze it in there.

Thanks for the reply,

 

[Arch01]

You could always just poor it into a container with a larger opening and pump it up from there. It will at least save you the back pain of lifting it up higher.

Alex
_________________
marijuana plant

 

[Baianotang]

You could always just poor it into a container with a larger opening and pump it up from there. It will at least save you the back pain of lifting it up higher.

That sound messy.

 

[SaltyMist]

It can be messy, I tried that by pouring the 5 gallon jugs water into a 2 gallon bucket and inevitably spilled some on the carpet while doing so, and I guarantee you that spilled saltwater on these old carpets = a very smelly room.

 

[Anonymous]

Get a python.. you can siphon, and refill. Works well for me... I know the bad back thing.. stinks.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... 2004&Nty=1
~wings~

 

[SaltyMist]

But the python works on tap water from the faucet, so call me clueless if you must, but how would I get the python to refill a saltwater tank? I use to have one of these years ago when I had a 55 gallon freshwater tank and it was great.

 

[Anonymous]

Use the siphon.. out of your 5 gallon bucket, with the hose instead of going to the sink..back to your tank. A guy that serviced my tanks used to do this with mixed "salt" buckets of water.
~wings~

 

[silly34]

A maxi jet 1200 should work. I would take the water container to the LFS and try different power heads until you find on that fits.

I do the same thing w/ a MaxiJet 1200. Works very well.

B.

 

[WannaBeReefer]

I do the same thing, I have an Internal/external pump. (Dolphin DP3 or something like that) I took some 1/2" tube put in the 5 gal jug, hook the other end to the inlet part of the pump and then hooked up the python to the outlet and ran that to my tank. Works great in reverse to.. I will say, priming it kinda... well sucks!