Chicxulub's cheatin' easy water changer

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Seems more work then a python. You can get the sink part of the python for $20 at Petco and $5-10 worth of tubing at home depot/Menard's and you do the same thing for less and you don't have to guess the spotting of the knobs. Just use a lazer temp and turn one knob to fill and drain the tank.

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rodger said:
Bear with me, as I ain't very bright. Is this part of your FX5 set up? If not, how is it all that different from a Python? What are the hoses connected to that are running across the top that have the valves in them?

Everyone has the right to be stupid (ME), but do so many of you have to abuse that right?
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This is indeed part of the FX5 setup.

Here's the images that I should have made and included with the original post (click to enlarge):

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waterchanger 1.png

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sbuse said:
Seems more work then a python. You can get the sink part of the python for $20 at Petco and $5-10 worth of tubing at home depot/Menard's and you do the same thing for less and you don't have to guess the spotting of the knobs. Just use a lazer temp and turn one knob to fill and drain the tank.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...

The initial setup is more work, yes, but if you're DIY-minded like me that isn't a concern. The actual water changes are much quicker and easier than a Python, not to mention worlds more efficient. My dissatisfaction with my python is what lead to my making this.

Any temperature tricks that can be used to get a correct temperature with a Python could just as easily be used with this. I knob-guessed with my Python and I knob guess with this. I fail to see a difference. :)
 
Thanks for the clarification. For me, the whole reason for a Python is vacuuming. This is strictly a water changer.
 
rodger said:
Thanks for the clarification. For me, the whole reason for a Python is vacuuming. This is strictly a water changer.
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No problems. I designed this to speed up the process. I still vacuum my tank with a cheapo $8 generic LFS vacuum, but I do my WC with this. Makes the process considerably faster.
 
Chicxulub said:
The initial setup is more work, yes, but if you're DIY-minded like me that isn't a concern. The actual water changes are much quicker and easier than a Python, not to mention worlds more efficient. My dissatisfaction with my python is what lead to my making this.

Any temperature tricks that can be used to get a correct temperature with a Python could just as easily be used with this. I knob-guessed with my Python and I knob guess with this. I fail to see a difference. :)
Click to expand...

For me I scan the water coming out of the python with my lazer and get the right temp before I turn the return valve. The only complaints I have from my python is speed and plastic parts going to steel parts. This method the water would have to be coming out I to the sink and not adjusted or turned off to make the right temp. Maybe add a t with a ball valve at the sink end to allow water to go I to the sink for no knob guessing. That would make it better. And if you block off the return of the filter there is no need to cut the power to the filter. It will not harm the filter to idle. I ha e don't that many times with my filters for years and no harm has been done.

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sbuse said:
For me I scan the water coming out of the python with my lazer and get the right temp before I turn the return valve. The only complaints I have from my python is speed and plastic parts going to steel parts. This method the water would have to be coming out I to the sink and not adjusted or turned off to make the right temp. Maybe add a t with a ball valve at the sink end to allow water to go I to the sink for no knob guessing. That would make it better. And if you block off the return of the filter there is no need to cut the power to the filter. It will not harm the filter to idle. I ha e don't that many times with my filters for years and no harm has been done.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...

The way it is now, when you're filling it the ball valve in the return blocks the filter so it would idle like you say. I've never really liked letting a filter idle like that though. If someone is comfortable doing it with their equipment, no harm, no foul I suppose.

As for the temp, what I like to do is feel the temp comping from the FX5's outlet into the tank. I've found that a tiny bit of water either too cold or too warm doesn't have any effect on the fish, but again, to each their own.

I'll admit, your idea of a T on the sink would really eliminate that problem. I actually made a PVC version of a Python's sink adaptor before I made this (the factory Python piece broke) and I suppose I could probably adapt that to work with this quite easily.

Yeah, I'm gonna do that. Thanks for the inspiration, Scott. :cheers:
 
Lololololol. I have almost the exact same setup. I siphon water from my tank straight into basement drain pipe. And to refill I I made an extra ball valve with a garden hose male adapter at the bottom of my kitchen sink. Taps water straight from the houses brass line. We lazy :)
 
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