Newbie water change advice...

[laura65536]

Not sure if this is the right place to put this, but for a year now I have been changing my water with a gravel vac and 5 gallon buckets....as most newbies do...just thought I'd mention to anyone here that still does it that way, I finally broke down and got the stuff for a diy python thing I found in the diy section, cost me $16.78 after tax and I am here to tell you, DO IT. No way could I justify spending $70 on a python, and most people that only have a tank or two don't either I'm sure, but for $20, it's worth it. Maybe it'd help some new people change their water more often if this was a more commonly known thing, who knows, just a thought. But if you do a search for diy python, tons of ideas come up, and it's completely worth it. You can change 100% of your water with less effort than you need to do a 20% water change with buckets....

 

[Edna]

Thanks! I'm a noob, and actually the first thing that popped up in searching is a nifty little article (with pictures for reference) : http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_python.php.

I've got only two small tanks and a desk top holder at the moment, so this is more than efficient for me, and I'm sure it will hold as a few more tanks are added.

Much appreciated!

-Edna

 

[laura65536]

thats the exact article I used too, worked very well!

 

[PacKRaT]

To be honest, I spent about 60 on my python. It was worth it, but I wish I had known that! An object like that is necesarry. A five gallon bucket is alright, for a 10 gallon tank!

 

[ziggy2]

I just used my Python last night, for the first time. Wish I had seen this first. At least I found this one on ebay. It was $26.00.

 

[laura65536]

To be honest, I spent about 60 on my python. It was worth it, but I wish I had known that! An object like that is necesarry. A five gallon bucket is alright, for a 10 gallon tank!

I was using it for my 10 gallon tank...and my 56...and my 75, thats why this was a godsend

 

[PacKRaT]

I also have a 10, and a 56, and a 75... and a thirty! I got my python just before setting up my 75... Don't know how I did without it. I'm telling everyone I know to go to this site and diy.

 

[AiR foRc3 wUnZ]

You got the python piece at Wal-mart?

 

[balton777]

To all the newbies out there, the Bucket Brigade sucks...python all the way. But then again, I'm doing 250 gallon water changes and that's just a drop in the bucket compared to some of the big ballers here at MFK.

 

[laura65536]

for the gravel vac part, yes you can get it at walmart, but I already had one I was using to do my water changes....doesn't have to be the python one, just a regular gravel vac will work as long as it's got the right sized hose (not the tiny cheap ones from petco)