Doing water changes on large aquariums

[dr exum]

I use three pythons, two for draining and one to fill that’s hooked up to a pigtailed hot/cold mix valve under bathroom sink...

My goal is to get a drip / auto drain system on the tanks over 100g...

I’m finding my hot water can’t keep up changing 300 gallons of water out of 6 - 8 tanks every week

 

[DN328]

I do a 75% (190 gallons) WC of my 260 gallon tank every two weeks. I alternate every other WC and also siphon with the python to my sink.

When I'm not vacuuming the sand substrate, I remove the tank water quicker by connecting the python hose to the spigot quick connect in the picture. I close the output via ball valve on my closed loop circulation and open up the flow out the python. This is my second tank with it now and cannot do without.



Filling back up via the python from the sink is a different story and it seems really slow for me.

 

[Jexnell]

Some tips for Python use:

You can temp match the new water via the hot/cold on the faucet to your existing tanks water.

The adapter it comes with (Python) fits both new and old style of faucets.

Newer houses will do this a lot slower as they have the new 1 gallon per minute pipes.

Python has several different attachments you can get, like a hook for refilling.

Aqueon makes a version of it as well.

I have had both and have better luck with the python. Had to replace the main valve on the Aqueon one twice.

If you have low flow you can invert the vac part still under water to get the detritus to slide down the vac into the hose.

If the adapter it comes with don't fit your pipes. Check you local home improvement/plumbing store, they have all kinds of adapters. The Aqueon version (when I got mine) only had an adapter for the older style of faucets so I got one from Home Depot that worked on new style of faucets.

 

[ryang85]

I live in a place that has a temperature about ten degrees lower than my tank year round so draining outside wouldn’t work for me. I will probably do what Jexnell said.
Thanks for the advice

I live in the PNW and pretty commonly do water changes when its below freezing outside and the tap is around 40 degrees. Thats where the splitter with the valves to hot and cold water is used to adjust temps to within a few degrees of your tank.

 

[esoxlucius]

You mention "easiest and safest" in your opening post. The guys have pretty much covered how easy it is, I thought i'd add a few points regarding safety, for your home and your fishes perspective.

1. When doing water changes DO NOT scuttle off to just do this job or finish that job. Distractions during water changes usually end with water on the floor!

2. If lids are removed always be aware of fish that may jump.

3. Don't forget water conditioner.

4. When draining I fix some plastic mesh over the end of my hose with cable ties. This stops inquisitive smaller fish from getting sucked to their deaths down the drain.

5. If heaters need to be switched off beforehand, make sure to switch them back on afterwards.

6. If your boiler is anything like mine, DO NOT set the temperature of the water and just let it fill without checking regularly, especially if other people in the house turn taps on in other rooms. The water temp can drastically change as you're filling. That is very bad.

Just a few pointers that have served me, my home and my fish very well.

 

[twentyleagues]

You mention "easiest and safest" in your opening post. The guys have pretty much covered how easy it is, I thought i'd add a few points regarding safety, for your home and your fishes perspective.

1. When doing water changes DO NOT scuttle off to just do this job or finish that job. Distractions during water changes usually end with water on the floor!

2. If lids are removed always be aware of fish that may jump.

3. Don't forget water conditioner.

4. When draining I fix some plastic mesh over the end of my hose with cable ties. This stops inquisitive smaller fish from getting sucked to their deaths down the drain.

5. If heaters need to be switched off beforehand, make sure to switch them back on afterwards.

6. If your boiler is anything like mine, DO NOT set the temperature of the water and just let it fill without checking regularly, especially if other people in the house turn taps on in other rooms. The water temp can drastically change as you're filling. That is very bad.

Just a few pointers that have served me, my home and my fish very well.

Those are all great points!

 

[xraycer]

1. When doing water changes DO NOT scuttle off to just do this job or finish that job. Distractions during water changes usually end with water on the floor!

Haha.......guilty!

My 180 is in my unfinished basement, so I have a tendency to be less vigil while filling it up. Since it takes over 30min to refill, I would go off and do other tasks. So, every now and then, it results in me having to mop up the floor.
This haven't happened in awhile since I now set a timer on my cell phone, which I almost always have on me anyways.
I've only flooded the 75 in the kitchen once, but it was a doozy! That one took me a couple of hours to clean up. Needed the wet/dry vac for that one. I think that was like a 300% wc! ?

 

[carsonrm01]

Ok. I will use the python and hook it up to my sink. I will have to get the 50 foot long siphon because the nearest faucet in 45 feet away. Since I have a 50 foot siphon and my sink doesn’t have a lot of pressure how would I start the siphon?

 

[DN328]

Ok. I will use the python and hook it up to my sink. I will have to get the 50 foot long siphon because the nearest faucet in 45 feet away. Since I have a 50 foot siphon and my sink doesn’t have a lot of pressure how would I start the siphon?

When you connect the python connector to the sink faucet you open the spout and turn on the faucet. This should help start the siphon.

As mentioned I dont think my water pressure is great either but no issues starting the siphon. For reference the python vacuum I use is 32" and 50' hose too.

 

[carsonrm01]

I know this doesn’t really relate to the thread but what heather would you recommend if I wanted to keep the tank at 77 degrees?