What's a practical hose diameter for tank filling/draining?

[ElleDee]

So, I've always had tanks small enough to comfortably use buckets to change the water. I've sized up and am getting used to pumping water from my sink and then draining directly into the garden. It's great, but I think my hose is too big. It's 3/4" ID x 50 ft and it moves the water too fast. I didn't think that could be a problem, but it outpaces my sink even on the lowest pump setting and it drains so fast when siphoning I don't have enough time to clean. Plus, it's heavy.

What size do you guys like? I would hate to make a mistake with the size twice. 😵‍💫

 

[hypnogogia]

I use 16/22 hose.Don't know what that is in imperial.

 

[Aqua sobriquet]

Much depends on the size of the tank and how much water you want to remove at a time. I don’t bother with hoses any more but a 10mm is big enough on something like my 60L. When I had a 250L I used a 12/16 hose and found that more than big enough.

 

[ElleDee]

Thanks, that helps!

For reference, 12/16 is 1/2" and 16/22 is 5/8". The hose I'm using is 19 mm ID for comparison.

 

[richardcunliffe]

I have a couple of these things which are super useful for shutting off flow or just restricting non solid tubing. Here's an amazon link for similar Possibly someone's made something that can be printed. Then you can just keep your tube and restrict the flow. An alternative that might be a bit more fiddly could be a mini plastic g clamp type thing

 

[FrozenShivers]

I use normal 16/22mm hose to water change my 75l & 145l tanks.

 

[G H Nelson]

So, I've always had tanks small enough to comfortably use buckets to change the water. I've sized up and am getting used to pumping water from my sink and then draining directly into the garden. It's great, but I think my hose is too big. It's 3/4" ID x 50 ft and it moves the water too fast. I didn't think that could be a problem, but it outpaces my sink even on the lowest pump setting and it drains so fast when siphoning I don't have enough time to clean. Plus, it's heavy.

What size do you guys like? I would hate to make a mistake with the size twice. 😵‍💫

I use a 9mm ID Silicone hose....its much more manageable and stores easily!

 

[bazz]

Hi,
Could you not use one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/19mm-16mm-...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583864008366672&th=1 along with a short length of 16/22mm aquarium hose you will have kicking about or a 12/19mm if that's all you have, the smaller diameter will obviously restrict the flow also?

 

[dino21]

If you get some smaller hose just fit an inline tap so you can adjust the flow as you need.
We use the 1/2" 12mm Black Corrugated flexible pond hose which is quiet cheap , lightweight and coils up easily.