water pump to empty runoff from saucers?

[Puffley]

Does anyone use a pump to suck out the water from saucers? I have saucers that, when flushing need to be emptied without being moved. In the past I have just used a turkey baster to suck out the water but it takes a very long time. I want to hook up a small external water pump, put the outlet hose into the drain and use the inlet hose to suck up water. Only thing I'm worried about is the pump might be damaged when its run dry when I'm switching from pot to pot.

 

[vta]

You could use a cheap shopvac

 

[Puffley]

You could use a cheap shopvac

I tried using a 2.5 gallon hand held shop vac and it works but its loud, blows air everywhere, and only holds a small amount of water. I don't have a larger one bu when I flush I will be flushing with 50+ gallons of water and it will be a pain to keep emptying the shop vac. My last few grows I didn't get a good flush because of the problems emptying the saucers. I chose to just leach it instead and did a small flush. In the end my product was really harsh. I'm also using hempy buckets and its not as easy to flush them as regular pots.

 

[DonJuanMatus]

i just picked up one of these for the same reason until i get tables set up

http://www.amazon.com/Beckson-Thirsty-Mate-Marine-136PF6-6-Feet/dp/B001H97T6G

they sell em at the local depot in the plumbing section for $25...the hose dumps the water into a bucket when it is pumped...i taped mine to a bucket so it doesnt fly everywhere...its still a little bit of a pain as it works less effectively as the water in the saucers gets shallower..but stillworks well,i can pump up over 5 gallons of water from saucers in less than 10 minutes

 

[Puffley]

i just picked up one of these for the same reason until i get tables set up

http://www.amazon.com/Beckson-Thirsty-Mate-Marine-136PF6-6-Feet/dp/B001H97T6G

they sell em at the local depot in the plumbing section for $25...the hose dumps the water into a bucket when it is pumped...i taped mine to a bucket so it doesnt fly everywhere...its still a little bit of a pain as it works less effectively as the water in the saucers gets shallower..but stillworks well,i can pump up over 5 gallons of water from saucers in less than 10 minutes

Thats a very good idea. I'm going to keep that in mind. Maybe attach a longer hose to it?

 

[Granger2]

I'm getting ready to buy one of these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-Wet-Dry-Vac-BH0100/202017218#.UenH-KzO-So

Attaches to your 5 gal plastic bucket.

Lots of customer reviews. Consensus is that it does well with liquids, not well with sawdust. Tips over easy if not careful. Remove filter bag for liquids. Price is right.

I have a small shop vac, but loud, fills up fast, doesn't like large quantities of water. Good luck. -granger

 

[EclipseFour20]

Pump from a "retired" dishwasher? Just replaced my dishwasher and having a bit more time than money right now...thought I would plan to cannibalize a few items. The dishwasher's used water is not pure and probably contains more "particles" than my runoff water.

So...a "hose-wand" setup connected to a salvaged dishwasher pump...that collects the the runoff into a bucket, with a convenient on/off switch on the handle, hmmm. OK...there we have it--the "ICMag run-off sucker"! LOL!

Now, if we only the reverse...an auto delivery device to dispense fluids with a similar "hose-wand setup" capable of delivering exact measured amounts (24 oz, 32 oz, 48 oz, etc)....hmmm, something like bartenders use--but capable of delivering particles/chunks.

Cheers!

 

[the gnome]

something to think about using a shop vac that used for liquid.
all kinds of mold and mildew can build up inside of of all parts of it.
the exhaust can spew out loads of spores... like PM.
i think jack mayoffer mentioned it and cautioned using them inside your grow room.

 

[Granger2]

Good point, vape. I'll check out the "works" of the bucket shop vac before buying to see if it lends itself to drying fast if detached from bucket. -granger