How do people do water changes?

For my 3 largest tanks, 60, 30 and 20 gallons, I use a python connected to a sink to remove and add water. 💦 My well water does not contain chlorine but it has a nitrate level of 30 ppm. I plumbed a nitrate binding filter to the cold water faucet. I add just enough hot water, which contains nitrate, to the cold water bringing the water temperature to 77F. So I’m adding water with a nitrate level of about 5-10 ppm.
 
I don't have chlorine water here, but used to have it, and always avoided the "python type" kits ( back in the old days those were called waterbed fill / drain kits )... as I did not want to add the chlorine remover directly to the tank... I don't know how safe they were 30 years ago though...

My jug of Aqua+ is 20 years old and it works and looks as good as new. It was always well stored but still, The expiration date on these products are frivolous.
 
so those of you with chlorinated water... are you running chlorinated water directly into your tank, like "like from the sink" and letting the dechlor mix with it in the tank??? in theory that should work, but I was always worried, about chlorine sensitive residents getting too much exposure before it blended enough to work
Dechlorinate the tank volume before refilling.
 
My new Python just arrived on Thursday. Water changes will be a breeze now. No more 5 gal buckets and a step ladder.

For the OP there are some 3D printed/homemade water diffusers online. They should work with buckets or a jug or a Python. Though for those with a Python there is one that works with the Hook as well.
 
I use a python with an extra long hose to siphon the water out directly into our front garden. I then use a standard 50' hose connected to a temperature regulated tap to fill the tank. I put the chlorine treatment in the tank just before I start filling it. I typically change 75% of the water weekly to every 2 weeks. My current tank is 75 gallons, it takes less than an hour to do a water change including cleaning the glass and vacuuming the gravel.
 
I use a cheap pond pump with long tubing stuck inside 5 gal bucket in the sink for refills! I can use the pump to pump water out of my largest tank as well since it would take ages to do by hand, but the smaller ones I still use the bucket and short hose to siphon water out. Dechlorinator in the tanks each time to match the total water volume
 
I dechlorinate the whole tank with prime, and then add the new water with a large watering can putting the water directly in to the top of the Jewel filter. That way it does not mess up the gravel on the bottom.
 
I have been successfully taking out water from my aquarium with a gravel vac and water suction tool. However I have been using a 14l(4 gallon) bucket to add water back into the tank. The problem is that when I add the water it causes my gravel to go everywhere and can even cause my plants to move. I’m curious on what everyone else does to add new water into there tank and whether there is an alternative piece of equipment I should be using.:)
I use a plastic pitcher and carefully pour the new water into the tank onto my hand to keep the water from disturbing the sand. Some people use a plate.
 
I use a plastic pitcher and carefully pour the new water into the tank onto my hand to keep the water from disturbing the sand. Some people use a plate.
I place a sheet of bubble wrap on the surface of the water. Then I pour the new water onto the bubble wrap. The substrate is not disturbed.
 
Currently I don't do water changes, though it's a very specific setup that not everyone has. When I used to do water changes I just put my hand in the tank to disperse the pouring water.
 
Currently I don't do water changes, though it's a very specific setup that not everyone has. When I used to do water changes I just put my hand in the tank to disperse the pouring water.

The best way to know your water temperature matches.
 
I had a python, then an aqueon, then a python. I wore them out. I did find the quality of the hose dropping with each one. The Aqueon didn't last very long.

I don't use the water bed water changer hook up on the sink, as while it's fast, it wastes water. I use gravity to remove water. I siphon tanks into a 1 3/4 pool hose, rigid sided but flexible. It goes into a floor drain in winter, and the garden in summer.. I add water via a potable water quality garden hose, permanently connected to a utility sink. I add dechlor (I just have chlorine) before I refill.

Most of the chlorine gasses off. The only negative I see if I forget dechlor is my killies lay no eggs for a couple of days after. But I don't want to subject the fish to chlorine, so I am generally very careful. It isn't the end of the world if you very occasionally mess up.

Chloramines are a different story. They're deadly.

I have a northern problem with water temperature, and a quantity issue with a large fishroom. I can't leave water to sit. I use too much. I have a water heater and do a mix. I tell how the mix is by touch, or by an infrared temperature gun.

With quarantine tanks, the new water is always a degree or two warmer than the tank. I don't like to encourage Ich.
 
If my water supply hardness and alkalinity wasn't always fluctuating, I would probably try to use a Chloramine filter alone, and work a mineral recipe that makes sense. But... With numbers from lower than 150 ppm that shifts at any time going up to 600...

If you wanna kill your betta... That's the way to go.... Infuriating. So I went with the whole kit, chloramine + Ro/Di etc...

Now I wait until the level gets lower to fill my holding tank. And can finally make seven 20% water changes in a row on a shrimp tank without any consequences but happiness...
 

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