Ways to completely empty a big tank?

[B33TR00T]

It's common and easy knowledge when it comes to getting the water level right down for water change purposes, but surprisingly - I can't seem to find much information on "completely" emptying a tank.

What are the other way of doing this besides impractical "tipping" for big tanks?

Using a towels to absorb the remaining water is one method I can think of, but what others are there?

 

[PhilMStudy]

Peter Gabriel’s sledgehammer approach is messy but effective

 

[PhilMStudy]

In all seriousness… I used towels for mine

 

[Woodyman]

It's common and easy knowledge when it comes to getting the water level right down for water change purposes, but surprisingly - I can't seem to find much information on "completely" emptying a tank.

What are the other way of doing this besides impractical "tipping" for big tanks?

Using a towels to absorb the remaining water is one method I can think of, but what others are there?

Utility pump that sits on the bottom (bottom suction pumps) should take the water down to 1/8" or less depending on the unit.

From there a fan/towels can evaporate/absorb the rest.

 

[2000se]

Use siphon to do majority of work until the siphon stops then use a wet/dry vac to suck the remaining water out.

 

[malacoda]

You could use any decent pump to pump most of it out, of course.

For sucking up the last little bit in my tanks, I use a $30 'bucket head' from Home Depot and an old 5g bucket (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-...ible-with-5-Gal-Homer-Bucket-BH0100/202017218). But most any wet-dry shop vac ought to do the trick.

 

[Breadman03]

My preferred combo is using a siphon until it becomes ineffective, then using a Shop Vac for the last remnants.