Water Changes Without Disturbing Substrate?

[ellena]

I just added some clay cat litter under my sand and planted some stuff in it. I'm really not looking forward to the water change as I can imagine the clay coming up and really clouding the water. I've read the method of siphoning in a really thin tube, that sounds like it would take ages and the water be cold by the time you'd done! Is there a quicker way? I can't get a plate in there, no room. When I filled it, it poured the water onto a coconut cave, but it still moved the sand round some.
Thanks for any tips

 

[Zachary1941]

Hi,
Recently i put 4 cm of aquabasis plus in my tank covered by 4 cm of fine gravel....Aquabasis is also like a fine soil.. to stop making a mess while refilling and clouding the water i covered the tank bottom with thick clear plastic sheeting....When i refilled it worked great did not disturb any thing and the water was crystal clear.. Regards Zac

 

[Mr Bliss]

Are you able to hang a pasta sieve between the edges of the tank? Pouring water into that should distribute the flow enough to avoid disturbing the substrate.

 

[ellena]

I probably could do that Mr.Bliss, I'll give it a go, thanks
Thanks for your tip also zachery, but I mean to do water changes now the plants are in. Did you plant with the tank full then? I put mine in with no water in, but I was winging it really, I have no idea what I'm doing

 

[Zachary1941]

I probably could do that Mr.Bliss, I'll give it a go, thanks
Thanks for your tip also zachery, but I mean to do water changes now the plants are in. Did you plant with the tank full then? I put mine in with no water in, but I was winging it really, I have no idea what I'm doing

Hi,
In my haste did not consider you had already planted ....sorry.. And yes i filled the tank up 50% of the way then removed plastic sheeting.. and filled up....Regards Zac

 

[JustKia]

Ellena - get a sandwich bag, one of the thicker freezer/ziploc types, not the thin flimsy ones.
Poke some holes in it. Tape on side of the open end to the top edge of your tank, but make sure the bottom of the bag (and some holes) are submerged in the exisiting water. Slowly pour the water into the open sandwich bag and it will flow out through the holes into your tank without disturbing your substrate.

 

[ellena]

Thanks justkia That sounds brill, I'll give it a go tomorrow

 

[ellena]

Worked fab thanks justkia Although I redid the whole substrate and replanted as the litter was already coming through. I went with a much thinner layer of litter and thicker layer of sand and squashed the sand right down before planting. Looking good so far!

 

[JustKia]

Glad it worked.
When I was filling my 72Gal I ran the hose into the sand bag (25kg) and let it out that way, so I figured the sandwich bag would do the same on a smaller scale =)