Water Chnage Method!

[rodg98133]

I am re scaping my tank in the next few days and while it is empty i was thinking about trying something to make water changes easy.

I was thinking about splitting my filter return pipe into two and having stop taps on them both. On one i would have the return to the tank and on the other an attachment for a hose. Then when ever i do i water change i would turn the tank return off and attach a hose to the other and turn this on with the hose going out into the garden.

Would this work? Has anyone already done it?

As it would save alot of meesing about with buckets?

 

[Matty P]

Sounds like it could work if it is all connected up properly.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

why bother with the plumbing? Just use a long hose/syphon from tank to outside.

 

[DazedNCoNfUsEd]

Get a Python, best $30 I've ever spent....

 

[rodg98133]

I tried to make a DIY python but i cant get it to syphon the water.

 

[rdd1952]

Using the filter to remove the water doesn't allow you to do a gravel vacuum which you really need to do to remove waste. Otherwise, it can build up and cause problems later on. The key part for a DIY python is the valve which is nothing more than the piece that water bed owners use to fill and drain their beds. You should be able to get one online or at a home improvement store. It looks like the circled part below.

But you don't necessarily need a python. I personally never use mine to remove water. it simply wastes too much water as you have to have the water running wide open in order to create the suction. To me, water is too precious to waste, especially with the major drought we have had here this past year. I use a simple manual gravel vac and bucket to remove water and then use the python to refill.

 

[Tolak]

Get a small cheap pond pump, a piece of tubing to attach to the pond pump, a male or female garden hose connector, and perhaps a couple of hose clamps. Hook the pond pump to the garden hose, toss this in the bucket. Gravel vac into the bucket, plug the pump in, water the garden. When you are done doing a vac, toss the pond pump hookup into the tank, water the garden some more.

This is how I do the only tank I have upstairs, a 65 gallon. In the winter the tank drains into the bathtub, when it's warmer it waters the wife's flowers outdoors.

I have a similar setup downstairs for the rest of my tanks, just larger. 35 gallon can, sump pump, with a foot switch.