The Perfect Water Change

[mr williams]

Whats the best way to add my treated water to the tank, currently I dfill up a large bucket then sprain 60% of my back muscles lifting it over the tank then pouring in. This causes quite a disturbance to the tank when the water comes cascading in. Obviously I could put less in the bucket but a 50% change on a 400l tank would take all day otherwise.

I'm hoping someone has an amazing product/solution.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

powerheads!

i've a v bad back and some big tanks so we get around it like this.

we have a spare powerhead, stick a length of hose from the tank out the front door to the drain in the street, then stick the powerhead on the end of it, it quickly and easily pumps the water out of the tank, then add dechlor to the tank, run the hose straight from the tap back to the tank and turn it on

 

[mr williams]

powerheads!

Sounds great!! I don't have a hose however (live in a flat) where can i purchase these wonders.. live in the uk by the way lfs?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

powerheads!

Sounds great!! I don't have a hose however (live in a flat) where can i purchase these wonders.. live in the uk by the way lfs?

can get powerheads from anywhere online or your lfs should stock them, i'm the other end of the country to you so can't comment on specific stores but every lfs round here sells them, prices range from about 8 quid to 30/40 for really good powerful ones.

for a flat you could adapt it slightly, put the hose running from the tank to the kitchen sink..... powerhead on the end in the tank and away you go.

make sure you secure the end in the sink smehow or you're gonna have a wet kitchen!

 

[Darkstar]

I'd probably live with it as it is and save your money for a house...your going to need the extra room and weight taking capability of a gound floor when your fish start getting to full size.

 

[Lynz781]

What about a regular syphon? I can easily lift a 10 litre bucket to sit on top of the tank then let the new water slowly drain in. Less disturbance and shock to the fish. Would take a awhile though I guess.

 

[noshybabs]

I syphen the water out of tank into the bucket and then i pour it on some plants or down the drain, then i fill th ebucket, treat it and syphon it right back again

 

[Vicky99]

I use my syphon to get the water out (it all happens as I'm gravel vaccing anyway!) and then balance the bucket of clean treated water on my belly with the lip overhanging the top of the tank for support (a belly is required for this technique - alternatively you could balance it with your hand) and I then use a jug (which I keep with my fish stuff for fishy use only - no chance of gravy getting in there) to put the water back in without causing too much disturbance. Doesn't take long either.

 

[mr williams]

make sure you secure the end in the sink smehow or you're gonna have a wet kitchen!
[/quote]

I have a girlfriend to act in this capacity

I'd probably live with it as it is and save your money for a house...your going to need the extra room and weight taking capability of a gound floor when your fish start getting to full size.

Yes I am aware of this and am currentyl looking for a house with my girl friend. It will also please you to know that space for a 1000l tank is my first priority. She is concerned about location. How foolish.

 

[Themuleous]

it quickly and easily pumps the water out of the tank, then add dechlor to the tank, run the hose straight from the tap back to the tank and turn it on

Does is not affect the bio-filter? I thought the dechlor need time to 'work' on the tap water before it went into the tank? Certainly make emptying the tank easier thou, will remember that little trick!

Also, any ideas if you need to use RO water? I currently use a 24lt Jerry can, gonna need 8 when I get my 400lt tank! That's a lot of lifting!

Sam

 

[mr williams]

thanks for the advice all, going to give this a try...

 

[CFC]

it quickly and easily pumps the water out of the tank, then add dechlor to the tank, run the hose straight from the tap back to the tank and turn it on

Does is not affect the bio-filter? I thought the dechlor need time to 'work' on the tap water before it went into the tank? Certainly make emptying the tank easier thou, will remember that little trick!

Also, any ideas if you need to use RO water? I currently use a 24lt Jerry can, gonna need 8 when I get my 400lt tank! That's a lot of lifting!

Sam

Modern dechlorinators work instantly with no need for water to be left to stand, i refill all my tanks directly from a hose connected to the garden tap adding dechlorinator as i go, a little bit at the start a little when half filled and the rest when the tank is full. As i change around 200 gallons of water a week having to leave this much water to stand would require me to have a second fishroom just for standing water in

 

[Themuleous]

Right I see, good to know. Cheers CFC

Sam

 

[mr williams]

I feel like a right ass lugging all that water around and getting berrated for any spilages when all I needed was a length of hose and a power head.

 

[DazedNCoNfUsEd]

http/petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=78115&R=4792


The best $30 bucks I've ever spent. It doesn't get much easier than when using a Python.