How do you guys suck out the last 1/2 inch of water in your tank?

fixingstill

New member
How do you guys suck out the last 1/2 inch of water in your tank?
Siphon? Sponge? Tilt the tank (if small)? Pump with hose on the input end?
 
I had the hardest time with that, luckily my tank was just small enough that i could tip it over. But it was a pain in the you know what.
 
If it is less than 100 gallons, tilting and slipping towels under works. Use dry towels to sop up the remainder
 
I wish there was an easy way. Often enough, I often need to empty my 20G ATO kalkwasser tank, sump, QT tank, etc for cleaning etc ... The last 1/2" is always most labor intensive with a sponge. Shop vac is too big of the deal to me. Ideally there is a dimple or low spot at the bottom of the tank to allow the last drop to be sucked out by siphon or pump (hard to find pump that allow hose to connect to the intake side too!), or a drain valve at the bottom (but then you have to jack up the tank).

Plumbing could be a science if you want it done right for minimal maintenance work.
 
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I have a cheap shop vac that I use for such the occasion, I picked it up during a Black Friday sale a few years ago for about $30 at one of the big box hardware stores. Comes in handy when I am cleaning my sump and need to get the last few inches of water out so I can pull it. The vacuum is only a few gallon so it is small and easy to work with.
 
Go to HD & for less than thirty dollars, pick up a "bucket head" it's a wet dry top unit that fits on a five gallon bucket.


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Python Siphon for me. No mess, nothing to empty (or over fill), and since I use it for all my water changes, already on my list of must-have stuff!
 
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