After reading this thread, I am amazed how complicated WC set ups can be. I am not impressed by python or any DIY set ups posted. I like it simple, just a garden hose and a quick disconnect as illustrated in my Post #3. Python is a waste of water and money to me. Starting the siphon in a garden hose is no complicated task. Just fill up the hose with water from the faucet and relocate the discharge to a lower elevation such as the lawn, toilet or basement sump. If a garden hose drains too slowly for a big bank, use two hoses. WC is number one accident for flooding. Draining the tank is rarely the issue, but It’s easy to get distracted when you are filling up a big tank. When I fill my big tanks, I always set up my oven timer to beep me when the water is near the top. Set up the timer by timing how much water rises in 5 min and project how much more time it will fill to the top.
Show Me Your Waterchange Hardwares
- Thread starter FishNCash
- Start date
I would love to have a water change setup like Duane or Pacu mom someday. Keep the pics coming.
Viejafish-people setup complex water change system to cut down amount of time spent on Waterchange so that time can b used watching fish.
Viejafish-people setup complex water change system to cut down amount of time spent on Waterchange so that time can b used watching fish.
I agree that there are some set-ups that are not too straight forward, I think sometimes explaining it makes it more complicated than if you were to see it in action. Other than having an auto-change set-up, I don't think mine could be simpler.
Although this thread is about WC, I think most of us included vacuuming of substrate - so that's why we're sharing python or equivalent. Some of us live in climates where we also cannot use water from inside to better match temperature, vs. living somewhere in of warmer climate.
If this was just removing water, then refill, then that's less involved.
You don't need to a python to vacuum substrate . You can just buy a short vacuum tube and hook it up to a garden hose. You don't need a python to start the siphon. It's easier to start the siphon by filling up the garden hose from the faucet. You don't need a 50-100' python plastic hose that gets kink and dirty easily. You can buy a no-kink garden hose at any length you want.
I got a pool hose from a pool supply place and it was like $35....for 25'....but they are 11/2" inner diameter and its all about diameter when siphoning a lot of water.
I used to have a valve on it but never used it....it flows WAY better without it.
It isn't about impressing setups...it's about whatever works. I'm not a big fan of any system that wastes a lot of water period.
This is how I vacuum the sand. The hose goes in the sump through a filter sock I hang in the sump. The valve controls the siphon. Tank stays running the whole time. Not a drop of water wasted.
Agree. If a single 5 gallon bucket works for you, then so be it
I'm show some of my ghetto rigs that works for me........and I'm also just showboating these super impressive rigs of mine LOL
True that can work too. But IMO, that's not really any simpler than the Python - it's more a DIY gear if you like to do that. Either way, I have a vacuum tube, and I need a hose to hook up to the sink to syphon, then to fill with tap water. I don't see one any simpler than the other approach - just using different parts.
Also, I re-use the existing plumbing and water pump to connect a hose if I want to push large volumes of water out the window. Just connect a hose to quick lock connect (seen in my avatar) I don't think it gets any simpler than that - unless it's an automated system to do that for me.
Perhaps I misread your earlier thread to mean simpler = other methods for WC.
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