How To Get New Water Into Tank At Waterchanges.

[mike_nofx]

When people do water changes, how do you get the new water back into the tank?
I syphon the water i am about to change out of the tank into a bucket. but when i pour the new water back in with a bucket, it sometimes disturbes the gravel and plant.
Is there a trick to it?

Does anyone use a water pump to change water?

 

[The-Wolf]

syphon the water back in.
this involves placing the bucket above the water line.

 

[baz_78]

I fill a bucket with the water then take a smaller jug (1 litre-ish) and pour it in from that.

I find some of my fish love trying to swim against the current and play around when I'm refilling the tank.

 

[Biker_boy]

I've got a dedicated plastic 5 litre watering can with a top and side handle that I use. It has FISH ONLY written on it in marker pen so it doesn't get used for anything else but fresh water.

It doesn't upset the plants or gravel. The fish love playing in the shower of water with the sprinkler attachment on.

HTH

Jon.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I have a dedicated plastic measuring jug. Also handy for mixing up medicine, and catching fish (less stressful than a net).

 

[catxx]

i just pour it back in carefully, very carefully with a washing up bowl (my special new-water only for my fishies washing up bowl) i might try that watering can one though! i think my fish would like the sprinkler bit, have to be careful not to miss the tank though.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

i have a box filter so i just pour from the bucket into there

 

[James007]

I have a designated bowl with a pour spout. Whilst this does stir up some debris from the substrate I find this works well as it helps it get sucked into the filter taking it out of the water in the process.

 

[Tolak]

Get a large clean bowl that sinks & place it in the bottom of the tank. Pour the water into the tank so it hits the bowl, not the substrate. The bowl will deflect the flow upwards.

 

[wendywc]

I do pretty much the same as Tolak. When I pour the water back in, I pour it over my big slate rocks slowly. So the only thing that gets hit with the water stream is the slate and the gravel or plants don't get disturbed.

 

[Tolak]

I rarely use buckets any more, gave them up long ago. Hoses are the only way to go changing out 300+ gallon per week.

Another thing to try is to get a cheap fountain pump that will give decent flow with 3 or 4 feet of head. Attach a few feet of hose to the output of the pump. Put the bucket on a chair, toss in the pump, put the hose in the tank & plug the pump in. If you direct the flow towards the side of the tank instead of downward, you won't disturb a thing.

 

[sioband]

We use a power head and hose to pump water out into a 20L container. Then we use the same hose to syphon water out of 2 other 20 L containers. No substrate disturbed providing you dont put the hose too far down in tank.

 

[prios]

I went the pump route too. I use a 1/12 hp pump at 350 gallons p/h with a 25 foot 1/2" hose. I use it not only to gravel vac but also to refill. Best decision ever. Think of an automatic python
Just aim the outflow into the toilet and no worries.