Cleaning out MONSTER tanks.... a few ?'s

[michael]

I have plans for a MONSTER tank in the near future but have been puzzled as to how you guys do your gravel cleaning and water changes? on my 300g it takes me awhile to do a gravel cleaning and 100g water change and I do it each week. I want to stock the tank heavily so....is there a bigger or more efficient way to clean large tanks other than a python??

 

[Oddball]

I use a larger 36" gravel washer with a 3/4" hose. I found in a lfs while I was living in WA. Once the gravel is clean, I switch to a 1" hose to draw off the remaining water I want to remove for the water change. The big hose has a 4" diameter x 16" long strainer, stepped down to the 1" hose, so the fish don't get injured from the suction.
For refilling, I have a couple of water storage tanks. The 400gal tank has neutral pH for the majority of my tanks. The 750 gal tank is alkaline, by way of aragonite bags, for my african tanks. I heat the room instead of individual tanks so, my storage tanks are always at the same temp as my aquariums. The storage tanks trickle refill from my municipal source after going through 3-stage filtration to remove chlorine and metals.

 

[Booger]

Oh yeah. I have a 300 and it would take hours to change water if I only used a python. Rather than explain, I'll try to snap a few pics later.