DIY tank refill

[dogface]

My tank is in my basement where I have no sink or bathroom. I do have water lines both hot and cold running close to the tank. I would like to run those line to a faucet mounted above my tank so I can just turn and fill. My question is about taking the chlourine out of the water. What would be the easiest way to accomplish this. Im not familiar with the r/o units but I dont think you can just run 40/50 gal of water right through them. Do they make a filter just for chlourine and where would it go? Before the faucet in the water line or attached to the faucet as it comes out? How many gallons would the filter be good for?

[Hound]

You could always get a bottle of prime and dose for the volume of the aquarium.

[motwnbro]

how about tapping into the water line with the same set up as an ice maker water line and filter.

[Mgamer20o0]

when i do water chagnes i just put prime into the tank then put the hose in. you cuold do the same thing.

[Ketso]

My tank is in my basement where I have no sink or bathroom. I do have water lines both hot and cold running close to the tank. I would like to run those line to a faucet mounted above my tank so I can just turn and fill.
You've probably already thought of this.:) Keep in mind that you will need to run the water for a breif period to get the temp right, unless you install one of those deals that cycles your hot water line so you get instant hot water. If not, I would suggest using a faucet that will swivel away from your tank. In which case, you'll need a drain under it.

[echoofformless]

I'm very uneasy with adding the water conditioner to the tank and then filling it right from the tap. Sure, it will dechlorinate but the process isn't instant. I really don't like the idea of even the slightest minuscule insignificant bit of chlorine getting into my tank; especially when that raw water will be hitting my fish. (They like to swim up to outflowing hoses you know.)

I keep advocating my raised bucket method. You get yourself a sturdy stand of some sort that can raise the bucket above the tank. You then use your hose/python/whatever to fill the bucket, add the water conditioner, and then run a siphon from there into your tank.

This allows you to fully regulate temperature, guarantees the chlorine is fully dissipated, and also ensures the new water is added gradually to avoid stress and shock.

Not to mention it gives you a chance to test the pH of the new water against the pH of your tank water.

[Mgamer20o0]

after 3 years still never had a problem. look into this.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87601&highlight=diy

[hmt321]

Have you thought about a holding tank?

I am in the planning stage of building a house, in my fish room I will have a large Holding tank that i can age water in before i fill my tanks.

The holding tank will be approx 400 gal US,

to fill it I will have a float valve, that will shut off the supply line, I will also use a valve (anything with moving parts will eventually malfunction)

I plan on using a large power head to circulate water, and air stones, the pump will do double duty to act as a supply pump during water changes. (I will put a "y" valve on that pump, turn it one way it circulates the tank, turn it another, and it pressurizes supply lines headed to the fish tanks.)

The holding tank will sit about 40" off the floor, the top will be about head high, (I will put an access port on the top so I can dose dechlor etc.)

My tanks are all cold water, but it would be simple to put a few heaters in something like this (even use some type of switch to turn them on and off when the tank is full, float switch or something)

water changes would be as simple as turning a few valves, even easier if you were willing to trust some homemade electrical equipment.

my 2 cents

[Hound]

For those of you able to use one of the aged water methods efficiently it is a good way to go. Honestly my wife would probably kill me if I set one of those up in our house. Aquariums full of fish and plants are one thing, but it would be kinda hard to have a holding tank that fit in with the rest of the decor. Also I'm one of the people who has to deal with chloramine treatments in the local water. My understanding of it is that chloramine does not dissipate as readily with age and aeration. For me treating the aquarium volume with prime and adding water directly with a python is the most viable option.

[will74]

Ever consider having a large plastic tote with small hang on filter and bilge pump with clear vynil tubing. you will need a DC power source for bilge, or u could just use submersible pump and scrap the hang on.

[echoofformless]

Treating the whole tank volume with dechlorinator when you could just treat a few buckets full is somewhat wasteful. Say for example I treated my 55g with 5.5tsp of amquel with every water change, vs. only treating the 20 or so gallons of water in the bucket for 2tsp...I'm using less than half as much.

I'm staying with my buckets.

[Shocker6966]

You could also filter chlorine and chloramines with activated carbon.

[hmt321]

the carbon would have 2 be replaced often though

[Shocker6966]

the carbon would have 2 be replaced often though
No more often than you'd have to add dechlorinator. Six one or half dozen the other. Just a matter of picking your poison, adding dechlorinator or replacing carbon - either method requires a certain degree of maintenance. Depending on how often the water would be flowing, you might risk stagnation in a carbon filter body though.

[dogface]

So many dose the tank prior to refilling and havent had any problems?

[Hound]

So many dose the tank prior to refilling and havent had any problems?

That is what I do. Now my largest aquarium is only a 50g atm and I use prime so its only a 5 ml dose, but considering I do 50% water changes I could use half as much if I had some sort of holding system. It would honestly be more hastle than its worth to me though. If I had a convenient holding tank of some sort I would use it, but in my house it would be too unsightly for my wife not to say something.

[kw0me]

correct me if im wrong... but on some taps they have a wire sive wich ive been told removes a majority of the chlorine from the water.

[vidiots]

correct me if im wrong... but on some taps they have a wire sive wich ive been told removes a majority of the chlorine from the water.

Chlorine is disolved in the water and passes thru the screen with the water. The screen just filters out the chunks of pipe rust and stuff from getting into your drinking glass.

[gregjsmith]

My Jr. High biology teacher told me that the aerator on faucets was enough to allow the chlorine to evaporate from the water. Perhaps for small amounts of water it would be fine but not sure I agree completely.

[loaches r cool]

The carbon filters for chlorine rely on very low flow rates to be effective at all. Probably only suitable for use with some kind of holding tank unless you plan on water changes taking you hours (well depending on the tank size of course). Also, the life of carbon isn’t 100%, IMO dosing with prime is cheaper and much more accurate that relying on a carbon filter, and that’s for chlorine. If your municipality uses chloramines, those take much more expensive filters, regular carbon isn’t 100% effective with chloramines. IMO unless your automating your water change I don’t see much benefit from not using something like Prime.

[ChicoRaton]

Why not set up a continuous water change system? Put a overflow box on your tank, run to drain, then run your cold water line through an in-line carbon filter and have it drip slowly into your tank... your heater will keep the temperature stable.

[Que]

I have a 46 gal tank for my fish. I use a 20 gallon tank to age my water. I have a HOB that I use to carbon filter the water and a heater to match the temperature. My fish seem to be doing great with this set up and I get a little exercise to boot. If I had a 100 gal tank though I'd be looking for an alternative method.

Q