Compatibility between big tank and lazy people.

toffee

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2006
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Let's just say any tank longer than 8' and deeper than 3' are big? ie vacuuming takes real effort and water change needs automated. On the same note, lazy people are folks refuse to spend hours every week doing the above.

For all the monster tank owners, how much time per week do you spend on vacuum or water change? I can see how water changes be automated by some some type of dripping system etc., But I can't see how to avoid regular vacuuming.

For any tank over 3ft deep, how do you guys do it? wet suit and swim with your fishes? Is it really fun to do it weekly?

I don't see how lazy people can own big tanks without hiring help to get the work done.
 

12 Volt Man

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
May 24, 2007
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I used to water change a 1500g shark tank at the LFS where I used to work and it was 4 feet deep.

you just need more efficient water change equipment thats all.

eg. a 4 foot python tube to vaccum gravel/sand.

once thats done, get a 3 inch hose and drain away.

its really simple actually if you have the right tools to make it efficient.
 

phillydog1958

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
This thread makes me think of a recent visit to an aquarium. I was at the OKLAHOMA AQUARIUM in Tulsa. They has 2 people in scuba gear, cleaning a saltwater tank full of fish.
 

sostoudt

Feeder Fish
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May 5, 2009
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toffee;3441532; said:
For all the monster tank owners, how much time per week do you spend on vacuum or water change? I can see how water changes be automated by some some type of dripping system etc., But I can't see how to avoid regular vacuuming.
remove gravel or leave only a thin layer(i mean thin), there no more vacuuming.

go to home depot buy a extra large diameter hose to use for a siphon, long enough to reach a window or drain. makes a huge difference, got the recommendation from a thread on here.

add a bunch of prime.

to fill up, hook a hose up to your faucet or shower. buy a clamp, clamp hose to side of tank(so it flows in to the tank). sit back relax.

thats how you do it.;)

i use this on a 40 and 30 gallon tank, not moster tanks, but im monsterously lazy. takes me about 10 minutes(i didnt buy the bigger siphon hose, so like 90% is me waiting during the siphoning)
 

kdrun76

Piranha
MFK Member
Mar 4, 2009
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I don't have any tanks more than 2' deep, but I easily spend 3-4 hours a week on water changes. Heck its probably 5-6 hours a week. I enjoy doing it.
 

toffee

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2006
159
8
48
Texas
kdrun76;3441567; said:
I don't have any tanks more than 2' deep, but I easily spend 3-4 hours a week on water changes. Heck its probably 5-6 hours a week. I enjoy doing it.
haha you sir are not the lazy ones!

Just a thought, my pond has a 3" or 4" bottom drain. It made a world or difference when it comes to cleaning. For big tank, monster tanks, anyone use something similar?



 

koop171

Fire Eel
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Feb 1, 2008
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When I had my 585 running it wasn't bad to do WC. I didn't have anything in the tank but fish. So all the poo and debris got swept into the overflow and into the sump. So All I had to do was drain and fill and with a 1"ID hose in and my python running new water in at the same time. All I had to do was add water conditioner.
 

packer43064

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 10, 2008
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The tank has to be bigger than 8 feet and 3 feet wide to be lazy. I'm lazy with the 125, lol. It's really not that hard, gravel vac+Python then your done. I just watch TV when I python.
 

justonemoretank

Feeder Fish
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Mar 30, 2009
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Since the floor of my pond is the concrete slab of our house, we didn't want to put a drain in. So, we have a small pump (I think it's 700 gph or something) that is hooked up, by a window, with a PVC tube. When we're ready to change water, we just hook another PVC tube in so it makes an "arm" to go out the window, and turn on the pump. It makes a little river down the street LOL. I don't even want to know what our neighbors think, because in order to turn the valve in order to have the pump run out the window, you have to actually reach through the window from the outside. As for vacuuming, we rent a pond vacuum once a month that does the trick. We fill up from a hose that runs to the faucet. And, occasionally, my husband goes for a swim when necessary.
 
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