The drip system: I hate water changes and honestly I think the fish probably don’t enjoy the water change process also.
All my tanks have about 1gph drip going into the tank. That overflows down to the sump and the sump has an overflow pipe that goes to my yard. This does a couple things that make me look like a genius but I got all this information on here so I’m giving back to you guys.
1) Free water. Here In the desert water is expensive. I have fake grass and rock mostly but I still have palm trees and so on around the house. These need water. I add 1gph of water to each of my tanks and that flows to my yard. The fish love the clean water and the plants love the fishy water and I needed to water the plants anyway so I like to think the fish water is free lol work with me...
2) Water changes suck. This eliminates water changes completely. Frees up time, super easy once set up, no mess.
3) Better for the fish. In my opinion, the fish don’t freak out, there’s no temperature shock, chemicals for chlorine removal and so on, storing up the substrate/gravel and so on.
4) I run straight tap water to my tank. No filters or any other contraption to orefilter the water going to the fish. The fish get the exact same water I get. I’ve been doing this for about 15 years now. 11 years in this location. No issues. My theory is the incoming water is so little it doesn’t make a difference if it has chlorine or is to cold or what ever. Basically, “the solution to pollution is dilution” this system has worked for me and I recommend it. KISS. Don’t over think this stuff.
Pic of the hole I drilled in the top of the tank as far away from the overflow as possible. This keep the fresh water as far from the drain as possible.
the incoming water is from my laundry room conveniently located on the other side of this wall.
The sump has a 1.5” drain that I set the water depth by putting a pipe on n the drain. You can see a pleco on the bottom of the sump about 2 feet below the drain opening.