Your Input is needed

[Bllib]

I recently created a thread about how frustrated I was in maintaining 11 tanks and asked how people kept up with the demand of their tanks along with their busy schedule. I got some great responses! So I thought it would be cool if a thread were created on your secrets of how you maintain your tank. Maybe tips that have helped you save a lot of time.

Here is my tip
My Problem= Cleaning 11 tanks takes a while. Even running a long hose out of the back of the office and then using the same hose hooked up to a faucet took a while. Especially for the 100 gallon + tanks.

My Solution/tip= Buy a 55 gallon bucket with wheels and as you clean your tanks run the water straight into the bucket. Move from tank to tank with the bucket. In the mean time use a long hose hooked up to your faucet and begin filling the tanks up as you are cleaning the others.

Before my new method of cleaning I had to alternate cleaning the tanks from week to week. Even then it took me several hours to clean and refill. With my new method I can clean all of my tanks in 2 hours!! I have 11 tanks with close to 1000 gallons of water.

Whats your tip!!

 

[Dmaan.]

water python lol will help.
i don't know to many people in the hobby with 11 tanks.
i'm sure theres a lot but i think i can live with 3 to 4.
big show tank - 240 or something
2 smaller similar sized tanks - 120's
small grow out - 75 - 90 gallons.

that's what i would recommend anyway.
some people may like to have a lot of tanks for the extreme fish keepers.
me - still a youngin would prefer 3 to 4 tanks though.

i have 2 tanks - 120 and 77 gallon tank and i just do 50% water changes with a bucket.
takes me about 40 minutes to exchange 50% of my water and change my songs on my computer lol.

 

[woofy]

PYTHON PYTHON PYTHON is a must for big tanks. small tanks eh bucket is fine.

if ur going to take out a filter to clean it out put a bag or bucket under it or u will make a huge drippy brown gooey mess all over the house....and if ur married the wife wont e thrilled (i almost slapped cichlaholics with a dirty filter cartridge)

get a long enough python the first time 25ft with tank all over the house dont cut it.

dont do all the tank in the same day if u have multiple tanks, u will go nuts and forget importat steps...like prime maybe?

 

[zennzzo]

Commit to a maintenance schedule and stick to it like it's a job...

 

[woofy]

Commit to a maintenance schedule and stick to it like it's a job...

setting aside a specific time and day helps in not getting sloppy or neglectful in water changes. Its usualy weekends with us here. but if u dont have a good schedule that "oh ill do that water change tomorrow" can be 3 weeks later and a dead fish.

 

[gomezladdams]

For the 42 tanks in the basement fishroom I usually have 2 hoses draining tanks while vaccing with a 3rd.I drain into a rubbermaid tub with a pump that pumps water through a 4th hose up and out the window.I fill at the same time with a 5th hose.Got to move quick sometimes and Im usually soaking wet by the time Im done.
I usually do the other 4 tanks in the house 2 in the kitchen and one in each sons room in the evening while watching tv.Python barely reaches the tanks in my kids room if I snake them through the furniture just right.I try to drain the water into my shrubs and lilac bushes cause it really gets them growing.

 

[zennzzo]

For the 42 tanks in the basement fishroom I usually have 2 hoses draining tanks while vaccing with a 3rd.I drain into a rubbermaid tub with a pump that pumps water through a 4th hose up and out the window.I fill at the same time with a 5th hose.Got to move quick sometimes and Im usually soaking wet by the time Im done.
I usually do the other 4 tanks in the house 2 in the kitchen and one in each sons room in the evening while watching tv.Python barely reaches the tanks in my kids room if I snake them through the furniture just right.I try to drain the water into my shrubs and lilac bushes cause it really gets them growing.

To heck with all that...If I can afford to have and stock AND feed 42 fish room tanks, I can afford a central filtration system, with central gravel vacuum system and auto waterchanger...
I would barley have time to feed and watch 42 tanks...

 

[Aquariumjunkie]

To heck with all that...If I can afford to have and stock AND feed 42 fish room tanks, I can afford a central filtration system, with central gravel vacuum system and auto waterchanger...
I would barley have time to feed and watch 42 tanks...

 

[gomezladdams]

foods cheap in bulk
most of the tanks were free leakers resealed by me.
Stocking comes from my obsession with fish auctions and breeding.
sales of fry more than covers the food and new fish purchases.
and I genuinely enjoy waterchange day.
its a hobby if I wanted it to be easier id just watch tv.

 

[killarbb]

i think i am going to assemble an easily assembleable pvc "drain".......over sized pipe to stick my siphon hose into.......run it right outside when i need to, store it behind the tank the rest of the time