How to put water in the aquarium without destroying your decor set-up???

[Rocky998]

So, at the end of my cycle I'll have to do a near 100% water change... But it got me thinking, how should I put the water in without kicking up a bunch of sand and destroying my decor that took me sooo long to get it JUST RIGHT?

 

[ClownLurch]

Pour slowly into largish plastic jug standing on sand. I use what’s referred to in our house as a “posh yoghurt” pot. They’re invaluable for all sorts of fish related nonsense.

 

[Rocky998]

Pour slowly into largish plastic jug standing on sand. I use what’s referred to in our house as a “posh yoghurt” pot. They’re invaluable for all sorts of fish related nonsense.

Could I see a picture of what you mean?

 

[ClownLurch]

Simply remove all the water you’re going too then stand a jug almost filled with your new water on your substrate. Then pour your new water slowly into the substrate standing jug taking care to avoid too much spilling violently over the sides and displacing the substrate.
A nice gentle spillage that doesn’t disturb too much sand is what you’re looking for. Once youve filled enough that the jug floats and tips over then just aim for the jugs side. It’s direct pouring onto the substrate that you need to avoid.
If you’ve large rocks then pouring directly onto them gently will do the same job.

 

[Rocky998]

Simply remove all the water you’re going too then stand a jug almost filled with your new water on your substrate. Then pour your new water slowly into the substrate standing jug taking care to avoid too much spilling violently over the sides and displacing the substrate.
A nice gentle spillage that doesn’t disturb too much sand is what you’re looking for. Once youve filled enough that the jug floats and tips over then just aim for the jugs side. It’s direct pouring onto the substrate that you need to avoid.
If you’ve large rocks then pouring directly onto them gently will do the same job.

Ok! Thanks. I'll try to see if we have something clean enough for the aquarium... Ooo wait! Could I just use my garden hose???

 

[ClownLurch]

Could I see a picture of what you mean?

There’s demonstrations on you tube if you’re not sure. Always try to avoid as much substrate disturbance as possible.

Last year I lost a lot of fish possibly due to forgetting to put a jug beneath my python when refilling at the same time that a rogue guppy was biting any fish it could get near. Disturbed bad bacteria and open wounds were my best guess…..or C19 shop hand gel traces still on hands.

 

[Rocky998]

There’s demonstrations on you tube if you’re not sure. Always try to avoid as much substrate disturbance as possible.

Last year I lost a lot of fish possibly due to forgetting to put a jug beneath my python when refilling at the same time that a rogue guppy was biting any fish it could get near. Disturbed bad bacteria and open wounds were my best guess…..or C19 shop hand gel traces still on hands.

Ok! Thanks for your help!

 

[ClownLurch]

Ok! Thanks. I'll try to see if we have something clean enough for the aquarium... Ooo wait! Could I just use my garden hose???

As in my above post still use a jug to avoid substrate disturbance. In a new tank with no fish there’s minimal risk but it’d best to get in the swing of it as early as possible.
Forgetting the jug I believe cost me all but two of my fish.

 

[Rocky998]

As in my above post still use a jug to avoid substrate disturbance. In a new tank with no fish there’s minimal risk but it’d best to get in the swing of it as early as possible.
Forgetting the jug I believe cost me all but two of my fish.

Wow, but when im just doing 25% water changes once a week I dont need the jug then, right? Cause its mostly full of water, and my tank is 16inches tall so take apx 1/4th away and you have 12inches of water left... Would that be enough to GENTLY pour water back in?

 

[Rocky998]

As in my above post still use a jug to avoid substrate disturbance. In a new tank with no fish there’s minimal risk but it’d best to get in the swing of it as early as possible.
Forgetting the jug I believe cost me all but two of my fish.

Also, my hose has an adjustable flow rate on it... So I can set it at a really low flow at first and let it go on my hardscape.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I just use my hand actually! Hold the jug/bucket in your right hand, and use your left hand as a diffuser for the water. The water will hit your hand and go along the surface, rather than go straight down.

You can also use a small cup and bury it half in the sand. Pour the water in there and it won’t disturb your sand. (You can use pretty much anything to diffuse the water as a matter of fact. Cup, plate, plastic bag, etc)

 

[Rocky998]

and use your left hand as a diffuser for the water

not when youre left handed

 

[Rocky998]

I just use my hand actually! Hold the jug/bucket in your right hand, and use your left hand as a diffuser for the water. The water will hit your hand and go along the surface, rather than go straight down.

You can also use a small cup and bury it half in the sand. Pour the water in there and it won’t disturb your sand. (You can use pretty much anything to diffuse the water as a matter of fact. Cup, plate, plastic bag, etc)

idk, my bucket is huge... its a giant 5g lowes bucket

 

[Rocky998]

I may just use a paper plate to diffuse the hose water

 

[AbbeysDad]

I'm not sure why you need to remove nearly 100% of the water as you can cycle a tank and not remove any water at all or at most just begin normal weekly water changes. (There should be nothing wrong with the water).
When starting new tanks with sand, I've just placed a plastic garbage bag in the tank over the sand and filled it up.