Water change tips

[rba718]

I have a 75 gallon mainly Bichir brackish tank, however, I only have 2 5 gallon buckets to do water changes with along with a normal siphon. If I want to do a major change I need to go back and forth and wait an hour or more each time for the water to be prepared to be put into the tank.

Is there an easier way to do this? I could use a garbage can but it seems like it'd be way too heavy to lug around back and forth. Please halp.

 

[cassharper]

I use a python+trashcan and pump.

I use the python to put water in the trash can, then mix it up and get it ready (heat it up, get the salinity right, aerate it, etc), and then instead of pouring it in, I just pump the water up into the tank (sits around 6 ft in the air on a bar, so not easy lifting... I tried once). I just use a $30 pond pump from Home Depot.

If a python is too expensive for your tastes check out the DIY forum. Tons of people have made their own versions.

 

[Buddha06]

I got the python too. Works great. I didn't buy it at Petco because it was $80-$90 but saw it at Walmart for $30!

 

[jcardona1]

Yeah I dude the exact same thing as Cassharper. I use two 35g trash cans, pump hot water from the faucet into the trash cans with my Pyhton, add Seachem Prime, wait a few minutes, then pump the water into the tank with a small submersible pump.

A python is a real life saver. You could fill the tank up directly with the python and add water conditioner as its going in, but I like to play it safe and treat the water before i put it in the tank.

 

[jcardona1]

Another suggestion, since you already have a regular siphon, you can build your own python with a garden hose. All you need to buy is the python faucet pump and a regular shut off valve for a garden hose.

The python faucet pump will work with any normal garden hose. And if you go this route, you can build a very long python system for way less than the full python kit...

 

[Buddha06]

Another suggestion, since you already have a regular siphon, you can build your own python with a garden hose. All you need to buy is the python faucet pump and a regular shut off valve for a garden hose.

The python faucet pump will work with any normal garden hose. And if you go this route, you can build a very long python system for way less than the full python kit...

Now I feel like I spent too much on my python....

 

[pcfriedrich]

i use a python, and just syphon the water into the bathtub. I fill a two gallon bucket with the bathtub faucet, and refill the aquarium as it drains. it only takes about 10-15 minutes to do a 20 gal water change.

 

[pcfriedrich]

Now I feel like I spent too much on my python....

yeah, I was looking at a "python" brand extension hose. It was like $40 for a 25 foot extension. I realized that it was the same size as a garden hose, and that I could've rigged my own "python" for half the price of what I paid.

 

[Buddha06]

Oh well... I am happy with it anyways!

 

[David R]

Bichirs in brackish???