Best Semi-Automatic Water Change System?

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May 28, 2017
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I may set up a 6x3' discus/stingray tank in the future (I made another thread about whether that mix was a good idea so I'm not going to discuss it here) and I'm trying to figure out what the best way to do water changes is, but I need help.

My current tanks are 75g and 20g so I just use a python siphon hose that connects to the sink in order to do water changes. But I don't think it's efficient enough to do large water changes on a large tank multiple times a week. So, I'd like to set up a system that allows me to do big water changes efficiently, and in such a way that I won't get tired of doing it every few days.

If anyone can explain how I can set up such a system, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Here is my criteria:

1. Efficient (doesn't take long)
2. Not too frustrating/tedious (I don't want to stand there for 15 mins waiting for the tank to drain/fill when I have things I need to be doing)
3. Easy enough to set up
4. Disaster-proof and leak-free

If anyone has any ideas or has actually set something up themselves, please share!

Thanks
 
I'd do a drip system as long as you have a place for the water to go to. I'm looking at building a good sized tank and hitting it wit a drip rate of about 10 percent a day. Since the overflow will be removing a mix of old water and new it'll probably be about equivalent to closer to a 50% weekly water change. At that point an occasional substrate/bottom siphoning just to jeep it looking tidy will be all it takes.
 
As mentioned before drip is great, however if you cannot do a drip system for what ever reason, you could set up tour return pump to pump out to a spigot, which you could hose to where ever it needs to go. If out of your return you had a ball valve then a 4 way, 1 to spigot, 1 to tank and 1 that dumps back into sump all with ball valves then you could open and close the ball valves not only to pump water out of tank but also to push water back in. Let me know if that doesn't make sense I have drawings which are grade A kindergarten level.
 
There was a partial waterchange system a read about a couple years back, not sue if it was on this board or another, I'd like to try. Might be a bit tricky to set up but once it is set up water changes are as simple as drinking a beverage or eating.

Run an overflow from the aquarium to the fill on your toilet, and run the fill line of your toilet to your aquarium. Every flush is a water change. It might require a filter for chlorine /chlorine and a long line or heater to allow for water to warm up a bit.
 
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wannadivesteve said:
There was a partial waterchange system a read about a couple years back, not sue if it was on this board or another, I'd like to try. Might be a bit tricky to set up but once it is set up water changes are as simple as drinking a beverage or eating.

Run an overflow from the aquarium to the fill on your toilet, and run the fill line of your toilet to your aquarium. Every flush is a water change. It might require a filter for chlorine /chlorine and a long line or heater to allow for water to warm up a bit.
Click to expand...

Eat a lot of Taco Bell if you have an overstocked tank.


But seriously, you can't beat the simplicity of an automatic drip.
 
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I agree with the drip-system sentiment... it seems like the best alternative for your needs.
 
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Drip all the way.
You will drive yourself nuts setting up an auto water change system. float switches, drilling, pump, holding tank (for new water) is all I can think of off hand. A drip is easier to set up, grab a kit for an ice maker for a fridge, air line, a micron filter and carbon filter and a drip emitter, drill sump
 
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