Doing Water Changes The Hard Way

[MewMew42]

Yep I did it the hard way and went back and forth to the kitchen to do water changes =[

But now id like to get a syphon, just to make my life easier with the new bigger tank lol

is there any type of syphon or band, i dont really need a battery powered one, but what size for a 28 gallon? does it matter?

i cant believe ive only just though of this now!

 

[Mikaila31]

LOL! I've been doing water changes the hardway for about 2 years now. On a 55gal, 20gal, and 15gal. They all get 50% water changes every week.

Walmart carries pythons I believe. If they are not long enough you can use a hose. I think your sink needs to have threads on the facet part though. I've never used one, so I'm probably not much help .

 

[backtotropical]

Have a look at the link in my sig below 'DIY Python' for instructions on how to make your own.

BTT

 

[RedeyesUK]

I use a garden hose to do my tanks - so much easier than buckets!

I've tried doing a DIY python but it didn't work properly, so I just put one end in the water and suck the other end. Sounds like it needs a lot of sucking, but I smoke 10+ a day and I can do it! As long as your tank is higher than wherever you're draining it, you shouldn't have a problem. To refill, I connect the hose directly to a tap (via a hozelock connector, no screw thread required).

Easy.

 

[MewMew42]

hehe thanks

is the python the way to get the water back in?

[I know how to get it out with the pipe and bucket etc]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Betta-Aquarium-Grave...2|39:2|240:1318

would something like that do for taking it out?

thanks again

i didnt mind doing the water changes using a bowl on the 10 gallon, but my 28 has a strange glass ledge which makes it awkward to get a bowl in!

 

[RedeyesUK]

Yeah, something like that would work - although unless your tank is right next to a sink, you'll still have to empty it into a bucket and cart buckets to your sink.

The way a python works is it connects to a tap, and the water flow creates a syphon which drains the water right down the sink, no buckets required. As BTT mentioned, you can build your own (although I have had no success with mine )

When you're refilling your tank, the python simply acts as a hosepipe, filling your tank straight from the tap (you will of course need to add dechlorinator to your tank when you do this).

:edit:

the gravel vac you linked to is pretty much the same technique as a pipe and bucket - the only difference is, you use the wide end to dig around your gravel to suck the poop out. I use sand in my tank, and don't bother with these, I just use the end of the hosepipe.

 

[MewMew42]

Thanks a lot!

I'll get the syphon, as its just easier to get the water out!

I'm only in a bungalow so the kitchen isn't that far, im just glad i wont have to struggle getting the water out now =] as im pretty clumsy!

ps i have sand will this affect how I use it?

 

[OldMan47]

With sand you hold the large end of the siphon a little ways above the sand so you don't pick up the sand with the water flow. You can still get close enough to vacuum up the fish wastes though. I do my 200 gallon tank with buckets. I use a 4 gallon bucket and 8 or 10 trips does the whole large water change. I don't find it that difficult to be honest. Come summer and I have a connection from my siphon to a long hose that I can hang out the window and water my garden. That means only carrying buckets in one direction.

 

[waterdrop]

I use the actual brand-name Python product. If money is not too much of an issue, I think they make a really complete product line that is very high quality and I liked the way you could customize all the parts for your situation.

Here's a thread from way back where I explained my early experience with it to someone:

Python Link! ... look for the waterdrop post some ways down in the thread.

I don't actually use the suction valve thing. I just like that they have a wide range of brass adapters to adapt whatever wierd bathroom faucet you have to the hose for refilling. When I'm siphoning water -out- of the tank I like to place my hose end in another bucket in the bathtub to give me an extra chance to save any small fish that might get sucked up by accident. I also have an extra cup I use to take some of that tank water from the bathtub bucket up to the bathroom sink to put my hand in when I'm adjusting the faucet temperature prior to attaching the hose for the refill (the temp setting on my bathroom faucet stays adjusted even when the faucet is turned off, so I can adjust it, turn it off, attach the python for the refill and then refill the tank at the exact right temperature, which is like having a mixing faucet over your tank almost!)

~~waterdrop~~