I have to confess...I really HATE doing water changes.

[TeaPea]

I got into the aquarium hobby last summer and with tons of help from this very forum I have an awesome 29Gallon and a 5 gallon. I love my tanks, get lots of enjoyement out of them, love the way they are the centerpiece of the rooms--they make me truly proud :) . In fact, I would love to get more tanks, if it weren't for those dreaded WATER CHANGES!

OK, the 5 gallon, I can't really complain about that...It's so small, plus it's on my kitchen counter--right near the sink! But the 29G---I always intend to do a water change every week but end up putting it off so it's only every 2, sometimes 3 weeks! :o I hate hauling those freaking 5 gallon buckets to and from the bathroom, splashing water all over as I go, breaking my back...I've heard some reccomend the Python....but I wonder if it really makes it that much easier or is setting it up just as much of a pain in the arse...

Anyway, it really baffles me, how do you guys with huge tanks,-- like 55G's and up--how do you stand all those water changes? You must be saints! And many of you have multiple large tanks to boot!

[brianfl]

I really don't mind that much although it is taxing sometimes. I currently have two 120's, a 55 and a 40. The problem is I have to plan ahead. The ph coming out of tap is over 9, so I have to aerate the water for 24 hrs or so to get it down in the low 7's.

[TeaPea]

OMG Brian, I give you credit! You are truly dedicated to the hobby I guess...You're like Duece Bigalow ;)

[superjohnny]

Dude get a Python, they rule. You take out the nozzle on the faucet (kitchen, bathroom.. doesn't matter) screw in a connector. Connect the hose to that. Put the other end of the hose in your tank. Turn the water on and switch a valve in the connector. pulls the water out of your tank... no buckets involved.

When you want to fill it back up you just switch the valve which changes the flow direction... pumps water right back in the tank. A few squirts of water conditioner (maybe a little fert if you have plants) and you're done.

I have one bucket and it's for storing the Python.

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

i agree..... having a python makes it easier.. i only have a 125 and a 55 and a 10 up right now, but it helps... (with the ten i just use a 3 gallon jug)

[irishspy]

Originally posted by superjohnny
When you want to fill it back up you just switch the valve which changes the flow direction... pumps water right back in the tank. A few squirts of water conditioner (maybe a little fert if you have plants) and you're done.

I have one bucket and it's for storing the Python.

So you have no problem with the temperature difference from the faucet or with the chlorine before you get the water conditioner in?

--Anthony

[andruboz]

i have some rubbermaid 18 gallon totes. you can put about 7-8 gallons in it and haul it out without splashing any.

i just got a python but i am unclear on the siphon logic. in order to suck 40 gallons out of my 125 i have to send 40 gallons of good water straight down the drain? i think i'll just keep using the totes and use the python for filling only.

response to last post:

the temperature problem is set by hooking up the python to the kitchen sink. you can set the new water at whatever temp you want. filling with a garden hose from a coldwater tap is when you have temp problems..

and i've always heard you add the conditioner first and then put the new water in.

[Dangerdoll]

the water from the faucet is easily adjusted with thermometer in hand and as for the conditioner, just add it to the flow from the end of the python. It's definitely worth it. I'd rather deal with the task of setting up the python than hauling a million buckets back and forth.

[Dangerdoll]

Originally posted by andruboz
i just got a python but i am unclear on the siphon logic. in order to suck 40 gallons out of my 125 i have to send 40 gallons of good water straight down the drain? i think i'll just keep using the totes and use the python for filling only.


I had this concern too, what I do though is I get the water to start flowing in the tube before attaching to the faucet (i.e. sucking at the faucet end of the tube until the water gets close enough to produce a good syphon, before it comes gushing in your face...ewww)

When that's done, I then attach it to the faucet for filling...

[MonoSebaelover]

Water changes are kind of a pain but it gives you time to watch the fish more in depth to check for diseases and scratches and such. I currently have a 209G, 2 55's, 46, 30, 29, 20, 15, and a couple of 10s. It is great fun! The 209, 55, and 46 are all salt so have to pre-mix on those. I do use the Lees Gravel Vac to suck water out then use tubs to replace water. I use the gravel vac on the brackish and freshwater tanks and it is a life saver!

[famman]

If you are close enough to your bathroom to use a python, get one. It will make it much easier to change your water.
I have a 5, a 10, a 20 and a 55. On the 5 and 10 I just use buckets. On the 20 I use a radio flyer to move the water around. On the 55, I put water from my filter into a container right next to the tank. I drain straight onto the backyard. I hate carrying full 5 gallon buckets of water.
good luck
:)

[TTman]

I have a 100G, 2x75Gs, 38G, 30G, 3x29Gs,6x10Gs (4 r in use). I do water changes almost every week (the most w/o change is 2 weeks).

[cichlidgirl57]

If you have been into aquariums for awhile, , you learn really fast a python is a MUST... I have 75 , 55, 40, 29 and (2) 10 gallons. I perform a 30% water change every sunday, no matter what. It takes no time at all. Try to invest in one, and it will make you very happy! :D

[TeaPea]

Holy Moly guys! :eek: Now I feel like a dork for complaining about my 2 little tanks! cichlidgirl, you say it takes "no time at all" to do water changes on all of your tanks...what exactly is no time at all? LIke all afternoon? I can't even imagine....Am I just lazy or what?? :rolleyes:

[cichlidgirl57]

:D lol.
No you are not lazy. The python takes all of the hard work out of everything. I hook it into sink turn on, reverse lower portion of python, it sucks water out. While the water is being sucked out, I use it to get all of the debris out of the gravel while getting water out also. Then I reverse the lower portion and it fills tank back up with water. While the tank is filling I clean my pots, plants, etc. Doing this every week, it takes me about 1-1/2 hours. Considering I used to use buckets, fill up from bathub, yes, it takes no time, considering it use to take me 4 hours on one tank. I also have canister filters that I just started using about 5 months ago on the 55 and 75 gallon, major difference. Love em...I have 2 pythons, that I purchased about 12 years ago. Back then, they were around $55.00 each. The price has come down so much. It would really be a help to you, but this is my opinion. :)

[valerie]

I can do my 15gal(5gal waterchange), my 90gal(20gal waterchange), my 10gal(4gal waterchange) in about 1 hour,that is using the phython to syphon but using a 20gal garbage can to fil them up(i use a pump to pump out the water so i dont' have to lift anything).

I also have a 58gal planted tank that takes about 45min-1 hour to do by itself since it involves lots of moving around of plants and trimming. I do all my waterchanges weekly, I'm too paraniod about leaving it anylonger since i have LOTS of money invested in my fish and don't wnt to take any chances

I personally like cleaning my tanks,They look so much better after and i think all the fun in fish keeping is the maintnance and picking out new fish.If you didn't have to do maintnance i would have been bored of my tanks long ago.

[mickey]

Originally posted by MonoSebaelover
Water changes are kind of a pain but it gives you time to watch the fish more in depth to check for diseases and scratches and such. I currently have a 209G, 2 55's, 46, 30, 29, 20, 15, and a couple of 10s. It is great fun! The 209, 55, and 46 are all salt so have to pre-mix on those. I do use the Lees Gravel Vac to suck water out then use tubs to replace water. I use the gravel vac on the brackish and freshwater tanks and it is a life saver!

You have more tanks than my LFS are they all in use?
It sure sounds like a fun (and a busy) setup.
Cheers.

[brianfl]

Apparently, you didn't read my initial post. I HAVE to aerate the water to pull the ph down. It comes out of the faucet at over 9 (around 9.5) ph. One it aerates for a day or so, it drops to about 7.2. If I could, I would use a python.

[RTR]

Pyton states that it pulls 7 gallons from the tank for every gallon from the tap. Easily worth it for me - without the Python I could not have 24 operating tanks.

If you hold your changes to no more than 25% per time, and deliver the water back to the tank above the water level (i.e., pouring in rather than release under the surface, you will out-gas much of the CO2 excess. The rest you can safely ignore.

[superjohnny]

Ok there is a connector with a valve that screws into the faucet. The hose connects to that connector. Hook it all up, then close the valve and pump a small amount of water into the tank. This fills the hose and makes it so you don't have to suck like hell to get a siphon started.

Once the tube is full I switch the valve open and it starts pulling water out of my tank. At this point, if you don't want to waste the water get a bucket and unscrew the hose from the connector into a bucket. Run that outside or someplace lower than your tank. As long as the end of the hose is below your tank the siphon will continue. No water wasted. There is very little vacuum pressure this way though.

[Heady]

I had a 55, 29, and 20 gallon. Used to use the bucket method. It sucked so bad one time I went for half a year with no water change. Seriously time consuming and back breaking work, depending on how close you are to your water source.

Then I got a Python. It did not attach to the kitchen sink faucet - it's one of those faucets that's a spayer and a faucet all in one - but I called the manufacturer and they sent me a brass adapter FREE OF CHARGE. Now I use my Python on all my tanks and it takes about 30 minutes to do the water changes for all 3 of my tanks. Seriously.

It's a good thing too, because last night I just set up my BRAND NEW 100 GALLON tank!!!!

YIPEE!!!!! :D :) :cool:

[Skittyfish]

I start my Python with tap water,then when the water starts flowing out I just turn off the tap and let the siphon to the rest. That way there is no wasting water. It takes just a bit longer, but I have more time to clean just about every corner of the tank.

I have never understood why everyone leaves the water running at the faucet, it just isn't really needed, IMO.

[RTR]

When you are running 24 tanks, rate of flow counts.

[valerie]

turnign off the ater when using a python also depends whether your sink is higher then your tank or not. I tried turnign off the water after the syphon started but it didn't work since the sink is not lower then my tank, the suction was barely there.

[MonoSebaelover]

Mickey- Yes all tanks are in operation. The 209 is an aggressive FOWLR (Fish Only with Live Rock) saltwater tank, 1 55 is a saltwater tank the other is brackish, the 46 is Salt, the 30 is amphibians, the 29 is freshwater, the 20 is freshwater, the 15 is home to an unidentified puffer(fw-bw?), then 10's are home to bettas and sm schools of tetras. If I had more larger tanks I would do more saltwater but I don't like to have sw tanks smaller than 46 gallons. Budgeting for a 1000 gallon someday. I think it will be VERY pricy but oh well. It will be worth it to house the Triggers I have!

[mickey]

Awesome dedication to the hobby.
The very best of luck with the 1000 gallon.
I cant even begin to wonder what it will look like but it sure will make for some wonderful pics i hope you can post some when you get it up and running.
Cheers.

[Skittyfish]

Hmmm..yes I get your point. My tank is in a different room (25 ft barely lets me get to all corners.) And if I had to change a bunch of tanks I'd definately want the flow!:rolleyes:

[nvision]

actually, you don't need to fill up the python hose to start siphoning. just attach the hose to the faucet adapter, open up the bottom plug, and start the faucet. the running water will literally suck out the air in the hose and start the siphoning up for you.

[MonoSebaelover]

I will probably be updating my tank profiles in the forum so that it includes all tanks. That way, you can see what all fish I have if anyone is interested. Specialize in more rare stuff so more water changes are needed (felt like was hijacking the post so had to add something to make myself feel better!).

[Tiger15]

I know one person who hires someone to do water change on his tanks and so it is a perfect solution for those who hate water change.

[TTman]

when u got 15 tanks running u create solutions.... _here's what I did: _bought 35 FEET of hose (enuff to let it drain outside from any tank) & connected to siphon. _
1. goto shower/bath tub w/siphon & hose. _
2. place siphon end onto shower head & turn on shower. _
3. let water flow all the way thru & out the hose
4. as soon as most/all of the air bubbles are out, use thumb to plug up exit end.
5. when water reaches top of siphon, turn off shower.
6. cap off siphon w/other hand & bring to tank
7. place siphon into tank gravel & leave it (make sure it stays in place).
8. take exit end outside & toss into lawn.
9. come back & siphon away...
10. when ready for next tank, simply cap off siphon w/hand & move it to next tank.

a 50 foot python is ONLY used to re-fill, not drain. _I found out draining w/a python is a waste of water, literally (water needs to be running-esp if the sink is higher tank the tanks).

[Fisher Price]

I use old fish water for my plants and trees inside and out. Seeing how healthy my plants are getting the nitrogen rich water and fish are getting fresh clean water makes it worth the trouble.

[punch]

I always do a bucket or two the old fashioned way for the plants
out side. Then the rest with the python. My tank is in the kitchen next to a wall of cabinets and I can hook the python hose on the handle of the cabinets all the way to the sink! That way I can turn of the sink water and not waste it while draining the tank.