I'm curious of a good way of doing water changes on a big tank. I have a 210 gallon aquarium. I currently siphon the water out and use 5 gallon buckets to refill. I change at least 100 gallons of water a week so carrying all those buckets turns into a lot of work. I've looked at the python water changers but don't see how that works since you can't treat the water till its in the tank. Maybe that's safe for the fish if you're putting water conditioner in as you're refilling. I don't know. I considered filling a trash can with water, treating it, and then pumping it in the aquarium. Thanks.
Best water change method
- Thread starter aaronb
- Start date
I used to use a normal siphon and a 32 gallon trash can to do water changes. This method is not only slow, but grueling and it would make me hate doing water changes. Get a siphon that hooks up to your sink man. I use a aqueon water changer ($28 on amazon) and its soooooo much easier. You should be adding the water conditioner to your tank before you put the tap water in. I used to put the conditioner in the new water in my trashcan until i watched a few of TLKMDN's videos on youtube.
The best water change method in my opinion is the "trickle" system. Add just a little water at a constant pace all the time. This method is the least stressful on the fish and there's no work for the fish keeper (me).
Next best system that I use is the python system you mentioned. No buckets and its still possible to water your plants and/or reuse the water so it's not just flushing down the drain. I use two hoses just to speed up the process. I have a garden hose that I use to syphon water to the back yard and my python hose I run cold water right to my tanks. I don't treat the water and I only do about a 10% water change. If your doing something like 50% you should treat the water. Anyway a lot of people will disagree with using untreated water but I never had a problem.
Next best system that I use is the python system you mentioned. No buckets and its still possible to water your plants and/or reuse the water so it's not just flushing down the drain. I use two hoses just to speed up the process. I have a garden hose that I use to syphon water to the back yard and my python hose I run cold water right to my tanks. I don't treat the water and I only do about a 10% water change. If your doing something like 50% you should treat the water. Anyway a lot of people will disagree with using untreated water but I never had a problem.
Thanks. If I put the water conditioner in the aquarium water then add the neenew water it'll treat the new water? I just figured it'd dilute in the preexisting water and retreat it and not do anything to the new water. I guess it makes sense because I put the water conditioner in the bucket and then fill it and it treats all the water and works out fine. Thanks again.
This is a easy water change setup I do.
you need... a good sized in tank water pump (purchasable at garden stores), long 1/2 poly flex tube (home depot), a large and long (not tall) rubbermaid tub.
1. syphon water from tank straight to the yard.
2. while syphoning have rubbermaid tub in your bathtub and use your bath faucets to match the temp on your tank and fill your rubbermaid.
3. as the rubbermaid fills, have the water pump in the bottom turned sideways so that the water can mix any conditioner, salt, etc for you while you scrub your tank.
4. once you have syphoned off enough water and finished scrubbing walls, take that 1/2 poly flex tube you used for syphoning and hook it to the pump in the rubbermaid.
5. If you wanna get even fancier, get a on/off inline switch and hook it to the end of the 1/2 tube and you can shut it off without running into the bathroom to turn off the pump when the water gets full.
This is a super easy way to change water. No lifting, no wasting water from the "python" changer and it's all nearly automated. The cost is about 50 bucks but what it saves your back from ever lifting another 5 gallon bucket is priceless. I hope this helps you!
you need... a good sized in tank water pump (purchasable at garden stores), long 1/2 poly flex tube (home depot), a large and long (not tall) rubbermaid tub.
1. syphon water from tank straight to the yard.
2. while syphoning have rubbermaid tub in your bathtub and use your bath faucets to match the temp on your tank and fill your rubbermaid.
3. as the rubbermaid fills, have the water pump in the bottom turned sideways so that the water can mix any conditioner, salt, etc for you while you scrub your tank.
4. once you have syphoned off enough water and finished scrubbing walls, take that 1/2 poly flex tube you used for syphoning and hook it to the pump in the rubbermaid.
5. If you wanna get even fancier, get a on/off inline switch and hook it to the end of the 1/2 tube and you can shut it off without running into the bathroom to turn off the pump when the water gets full.
This is a super easy way to change water. No lifting, no wasting water from the "python" changer and it's all nearly automated. The cost is about 50 bucks but what it saves your back from ever lifting another 5 gallon bucket is priceless. I hope this helps you!
I siphon water out my window and then bring in the hose and turn it on a low setting and fill up. I can change 120 gallons in 30 minutes
I disconnect the pump in my sump from all the plumbing and attach a long hose which pumps all the water in the sump to my sink.
on 125g I use aqueon water changer to siphon into yard. This part goes pretty fast. Then hook changer up to sink directly into tank. The whole process is really easy but slow b/c sink doesnt have that strong a flow...nothin I can do about that tho. I always have to worry about forgetting I'm emptying or filling and overflowing b/c I go do other stuff during the process.
I don't have to condition my well water, but when I move into city I will...I read up on it and apparently you just add enough conditioner to the actual tank after siphoning water out to treat a full tank's worth of water. Then just add the water from the tap.
If its only chlorine you're worried about, from what I gather you can even add conditioner after re-filling as long as you do it within a reasonable time but don't take my word on that one.
I don't have to condition my well water, but when I move into city I will...I read up on it and apparently you just add enough conditioner to the actual tank after siphoning water out to treat a full tank's worth of water. Then just add the water from the tap.
If its only chlorine you're worried about, from what I gather you can even add conditioner after re-filling as long as you do it within a reasonable time but don't take my word on that one.
spirofucci;5106822; said:
Not funny but same for me.I tried the python and found it did not have enough suction for some of my fish poo. So I am doing the bucket thing to empty but use a hose to the sink to fill. Once I get my 210g set up I will be making some changes and probably make something with a trash can and pump.