What Pump for water changes ?

So i read here and now cant find, articles about some of you using tubs and a power head for water cahnges.

I tried this with my 400 power head and had success coming out of the tank, but I cant get it to work going into the tank .

What is the trick here or is my 400 pump not strong enough to push it up 5' ?

Thanks

 

u prolly hit the nail right on the head, maybe try puttin the tub on a chair or table to reduce the hight works a treat for me

 

OK thanks,
If I get a Mag4 or 5 will it work without worrying aboutheight or getting air out? Or is it part of the process and unavoidable?

 

im not sure ive never used a Mag, but if u reduce the height the 4 should work, gettin the air out of the tube if its really an issue and u dont mind the taste of salt water turn the pump on and quickly suck on the tube at the exit end till it looks like its gonna be enough to get everything started;D

 

You have to have a pump that will over come the head. The higher the water has to travel, the more pressure loss you experience from head(weight of water) and the gravity forcing it down.

Look on the side of the box before you buy a pump it should say what head is acceptable for the pump (measured in feet). You can get a pump from lowes for fountains.

Looks like a Mag 2 has a 7' head.... Mag 3 has a 10-1/2' and mag 5 has 10-1/2' head also with more flow.... you probably won't get the rated flow at that head either, so maybe if you're going to buy a 5, you may as well get a mag 7 for $8 more.

 

I use a Rio2100 which has the power of a Mag7. I like somewhere in the neighborhood of 700GPH. I use the same powerhead to mix the salt into solution while in the garbage can. I also use something I through together to control the output of said powerhead. You need scrap 3/4" pvc, a ball valve a few odds and ends, hose and stuff. It works.

 

That's really cool John!

 

Thanks.....I tell ya, I use this silly lookin' thing a lot. It was invaluable to me during the changeover.

 

Ahh pics,

Great thanks..

Do you still need to submerse all the ends to get the air out before it kicks in ?

 

No. 700GPH is enough to push the air out and get the water going (Well, maybe 300 by the time it hits 5'). I just shove the end of the long black hose over the output to my Rio (at the bottom of the garbage can with my new water and turn it on (with the ball valve in the off position). The other end just hangs over the side the the tank. Then I dial the ball valve on slowly and adjust the flow to the desired level. Easy, easy.