Water change pump

[gregzz4]

As for a pump you could use this Head Loss Calculator

I personally wouldn't use a flow meter as I'd be concerned about it's accuracy - flood You think you've pumped 30g but maybe it was 35 and you get wet feet when you go back upstairs.

I have a mark on my sump where the water level needs to be and pump it back to said mark.

You could have marks on your 55g and pump it from 'this line to that line'. Just one initial time use buckets to fill the 55g by hand, making marks as you go. Now you have your start and end points.

Or you run the pump's power cord upstairs and unplug it when you get your sump/DT level where you want it.

[Craigdillman]

Ah ok thanks yea that makes sense

just wondering if i could get a pond pump as they seem bit more cheaper than a return pump

[gregzz4]

I have no experience with pond pumps, but there are quite a few models to pick from in that link.

What size plumbing are you going to run upstairs ?

[Craigdillman]

was thinking just 1" plastic flexible pipe or something to that nature

[Craigdillman]

run it up there put it in sump run pump take it down coil it up till 2 weeks later

[gregzz4]

Just for an example, based on the calculator;
A mag7 looks like it could handle it and may take about 12 mins to pump 30g
A mag9 may take about 5 mins

Buy a used pump cheap ?
Keep in mind the smaller the pump the shorter the lifespan.

Hopefully you'll get some other suggestions for a cheap pump that needs to run 10' through 1" vinyl hose

[daplatapus]

I ran a Laguna pond pump and had great success with it. 14' of head was no issue. I still have it on my mixing station. The pump that never dies