Water change techniques

I tried searching this topic with no luck--apologies if I missed something already covered. I'm just wondering what tricks or tips people have for simplifying water changes. Right now I'm just using the five-gallon bucket with a gravel-vac syphon. If I'm changing 50 percent of my 40-gallon, that's quite a few trips to the curb dumping the water (not willing to dump salt water on my shrubs) and then an equal number of water batch creations. I've thought of attaching the syphon to a long hose out to the driveway for the first part of the operation. For the second part, I'm considering making a large batch in a Rubbermaid tub and then pumping the new water into the tank. Might be a bit of overkill. Just wondering what other people do. Thanks!

There is only one answer : the Python

http://www.drsfoster...cle.cfm?aid=848

That's the short answer, here's the long.

I have 17 tanks running right now. I use a Python for water changes. I also have a 34 gallon "Tuff Tub" I got at Tractor Supply. I used to have a plastic garbage can but it split a seam and started leaking. I keep the Tuff Tub full of water. It has a submersible filter, an airstone, and a heater. (I also keep tropical fish or I wouldn't bother with the heater.) It has a submersible pump and hose that will reach all my tanks. The hose has this directional U-tube on the end so I just hook it over the side of the tank and sit and wait for the tank to fill. The water pump is plugged into a remote controlled outlet. I use the remote to turn the water on and off.

I have water changes down to a science. Use the Python to clean up mulm & remove old water, clean filters as needed, pump in new water. The last thing I do is fill up the Tuff Tub with cold tap water (using the Python) and squirt some dechlorinator in it. Then the water will be all ready for next time.

I also use my Palm pilot to keep a database of my maintenance schedule. I keep track of when water changes are due for each tank. Every time I do something to a tank, I record it in the database. Test results, water changes, filter changes, any medication or fertilizers all go in the database. If I want to know when the last time I changed the light bulbs on 10 gallon #3, I can easily look it up. You can do that on paper, too, of course.

Edited by schambers, 06 June 2009 - 09:54 PM.

I do something similar but not quite as involved.

I also use a "Python" (never seen one with that name but use a device like the one pictured) and as my tanks are fresh water, the wife goes out and waters the lawn and planters as I siphon. I use the garden hose at the front of my house because the pressure is the best there. Good water pressure at the source = good vacuuming.

I have a 55 gallon barrel, very sturdy, that I fill with water treated with PRIME. I have a small submersible pump used for outdoor ponds that I use to fill my tanks with. I have a long garden hose used only for this chore that will reach all of the tanks.

I do a 30%-40% change on my tanks about every 5-7 days (I have a weird work schedule). Water quality is excellent and the fish are happy.

I used to use the python, but have recently gone to using just a large diameter clear hose and using the "suck" method into a 5-gal bucket. This works just as easy for me when doing small tanks (10-30gal). Instead of gravel vac I just "stir" the bottom a bit and try not to overfeed.

For large tanks I used to use python, but became concerned about running the water full-tilt in the process...so I just got the siphon going with the python and then shut off the water and let it gravity siphon for a long time.

As long as you change some water, it doesn't matter how

Thanks for the replies! I read the blurb on the python, and it sounds like a good solution. I was interested to read their admonition that one should never change more than 1/3 of the tank's water. I've been changing far more than that. Any opinions on this issue?

If your fish are "used" to chronically high nitrate levels, changing a LOT of water (and thus diluting your nitrate level) can adversely affect your fish. Obviously if your water pH, temp, etc. are vastly different it could probably cause problems as well.

Water changes also replace trace minerals which are used by your critters, though most people don't really think about it much. Water changes are the single, most important aspect of successful aquariums IMO. It's funny though, because not too long ago people were of the opinion that old tank water was liquid gold, with every drop conserved.

I have done as much as 50% weekly when raising tropicals like discus and angels. I now do about 25-30% every week...or maybe every 10 days and I find it to be enough...but I don't feed a lot and I don't stock my tanks too heavily. Some folks I knew were doing 50-75% every 3 days or something like that (with massive feedings and heavy stocked tanks for max. growth). You will still run into folks who say "The less you do with your tank, the better!"

This is just my approach - take this (and all) advice here with a grain of salt.

Edited by Gene2308, 07 June 2009 - 12:59 PM.

If you have good water, regular big water changes are the best way to go. Your fish will love you for it.

Use a sump pump, vinyl hose from the hardware store, and a garden hose; no expensive aquarium products needed. I siphon the water into the 5 gallon bucket. The sump pump with a float switch in the bucket will keep the bucket from overflowing. Connect the hose to the sump pump and put the other end in the floor drain.

I use a float valve to refill my tanks slowly; refilling one tank overnight.

I change 80 to 90% every other week. I have a carbon water filter for the chlorine. Watch out for chlorine, chloramines, dissolved gasses, and drastic temperature changes. I know people who change 50% of the water every day and have fish that grow incredibly fast.

For large tanks I used to use python, but became concerned about running the water full-tilt in the process...so I just got the siphon going with the python and then shut off the water and let it gravity siphon for a long time.

I think I'll try that and see how well it vacuums using only siphon suction. Doing a 50 gallon water change is probably using 250 gallons, or more.

Yeah, the amount of water it wastes would bother me too.

I have read of people making their own 'pythons' but having trouble with it draining terribly slowly. The problem is using normal hose connectors, which makes bottlenecks where the water goes through a much smaller hole than the diameter of the hose. I imagine you would have the same problem using the real python as a siphon.

The best waterchange device I saw was a piece of big flexible pool tubing (circa 2" diameter) attached to a stand so one end is sticking up off the floor vertically. Using your normal gravel vac you siphon water into the pipe and it flows out onto the lawn.

Oh to have a plumbed-in aquarium!