Water changing device or bucket brigade?

[HarmonyAZ]

Now that I know I need to change water weekly, not monthly, can you guys tell me if a device is worthwhile, or if the carrying 5g buckets around the house is best? I'm thinking of that hose/waterbed fill-drain kit set up I've seen at PetSmart for an ungodly price of $50 or so? Or is that more of a pain? Or are there other devices for this purpose?

The Boruchowitz book OrionGirl recommended suggests changing half the water weekly. I just can't see me hauling 15gals out and 15 gals in every week. Do you guys really do this manually? :confused:

[OldVamp]

well, theres allways the really low tech method of getting a garden hose and tapeing it in place on you tank to the level you want to drain, then hang it out a window and syphon it and let it run out. it will stop when it reaches the level of the hose.

I had access to a Python drain/fill gravel vac and it was the best tool i ever purchased.

[OldVamp]

id say you could also stick the little hose of a self starting gravel vac into the garden hose and tape it so it wont leak (no manual syphoning), and then just run it out the window or to a bathtub or lower sink.

[HarmonyAZ]

Thank you! That Python thing looks like the thing I was talking about above, that PetSmart sells. If it really is a work-saver, I'll gladly pick one up. I'm lazier than I am cheap!

[Raf]

:p Until last month, i was doing weekly waterchanges of 25% on each of my 7 tanks. Buckets and siphon...that's it. How long did it take? About 4 hours, with the proper filter maintenance.

I recently purchased a Python. I hooked it up and did all the tanks with gravel cleaning in a little over an hour. HEAVEN!

I was nervous at first using one, because you do add straight tap water, but after a while, i noticed it really wasn't a big deal if the changes were not large and conditioner, etc, was added.


:)

[Prometheus]

For my 55 gallon tank (only one I have set up) I just do a bucket brigade... If I had 7 tanks.... I would just do a python...

I am still worried about those little gravel peices clogging my sink ;)

[Cearbhaill]

I like to let my tapwater age so a Python is out of the question for me- in fact I cut mine up to make a siphon hose.

I use garbage cans. The day before a change I put an empty garbage can next to the tank in question, and fill her up. I have an airpump and airstone under every tank so it's right there to be put into the can along with any water treatment I need. The next day I just drain water into another empty garbage can, or out a window, or into a tub (depends on which tank) and then pump the new water in.
I can do a water change in about 15 minutes on a 90g tank.

Sounds complicated but it is really fast and easy. Water pumps and Brute garbage cans on wheels are the key- I'm too old to schlepp buckets!

[anonapersona]

for my planted tanks that get 50% weekly changes, I have a 50 foot length of clear vinyl hose, 1/2", from the hardware store, with 1/2" garden hose mending fittings to add a shut off valve and the female connection, plus a fitting that attaches at the bath sink with male hose threads. I've also added an almost 90 degree turn to the connection, from the RV department at Walmart. I use a pair of tubing holder suction cups to keep the end of the hose in the tank when filling or draining. When draining I stick the end of the hose out the window. the 50' plus all fittings cost me less than $20, plus a 2 trips to local stores.

[Gulp]

Originally posted by HarmonyAZ
Thank you! That Python thing looks like the thing I was talking about above, that PetSmart sells. If it really is a work-saver, I'll gladly pick one up. I'm lazier than I am cheap!


You can get it much cheaper at www.bigalsonline.com , but you will have to wait at least a week for it to arrive. Definitely a "must have" in my aquarium tool cabinet. :D

[HarmonyAZ]

You guys are the best! Thanks! This is the stuff you can't get from books.

I might try that garbage can idea. My tap is really hard to get a consistent temp from.

:) :) :)

[Slappy*McFish]

I enjoy the workout of hauling buckets/jugs around the house. It's good for you...unless you have back problems, arthritis, or something.:D

[RTR]

I used to carry buckets. I do remember that far back. Now I use buckets only for QT (and for QT only - their siphon stays with the buckets), and also for the first fill of a new setup (with non-QT buckets) so that I get a reasonable measure of the actual volume in the tank (which can be surprising if you have never done this). Otherwise it all all by Python and pumps (I age all my water and have aging/tempering/off-gassing reservoirs scattered here and there. They are all refilled by Pyton.).

The exercise might do me good, but the time difference would force me to cut my tank population more than in half. No thank you.

[Slappy*McFish]

lol..well, with as many tanks as you have, RTR, I can't say that I blame you. But for a young person with just one or a couple of tanks, get some excercise for crying out loud!:p

[OrionGirl]

I get the exercise. I have a 5 gallon bucket, and do about 30-40 gallons once a week at least. Takes me about 1 hour to pull water out, clean filters, and put water back in. If I need to prune plants, that adds at least another 45 minutes.

[RTR]

Er, uh, ummm ... I'm way down in tank sizes now (the big tanks are all down), but that still leaves me at somewhere near 700 gallons, with 25-50% changes on everything weekly. Manually done I'd need to look like Arnold used to, and I promise you that I do not and never have. :shake:

[Must4ng s4lly]

The Python is the ONLY way! I used to do the bucket bigade for my 60 gal. WHAT A JOKE! I got a Python and my life became so easy & nice! I just squirt in some Stress Zyme and me and the fish are him free1 I love it!

You can get one at: www.Drsfostersmith.com.

It is worth every penny!

[adblair]

Would ya'll still think it would be worth it for a 10 g?

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by adblair
Would ya'll still think it would be worth it for a 10 g?

No way.

atleast not for a 10 gallon. One 5 gallon bucket for a water change, and a 1 gallon jug to refill...

Especially since it's so easy to change the water temp of a tank that small VERY quickly...

Another warm/hot tap water concern is the iron content of water heater tanks... as they age, an old water heater can have a big build up of iron and other minerals inside it... Stuff you probably don't want in your tank...

[adblair]

Good... then I can keep my money for a while longer. :D

[Silent xXx Rage]

Sorry--I did not intend to edit, but hit the wrong button. Please re-post--I apologize for the inconvenience. OG

[HarmonyAZ]

Silent xxx rage - Thanks. I've gotten so much conflicting advice from LFS employees and elsewhere that my new motto is "stick to what my book says". On topics it covers, that is. I appreciate hearing what works for you, though!

I'm going to pick up a python. I tried the garbage cans without luck. I already have two nice Rubbermaid wheeled 30g cans, but one leaks and one has some motor oil-ish residue in it. The cost of a new can is close to half the python cost, and I'd need to buy a pump. And it was a pretty heavy and unwieldy can with 15gals in it.

I guess I'm lazy, but it really feels more like back-straining to me than exercise when I'm hauling the 5g buckets.

Thanks everyone!!!!
:) :) :) :) :)

[OrionGirl]

Oh--darn. Silent xXx Rage--I didn't intend to edit your post--I meant to quote it. I apologize for the error on my part. Here is the text I intended to post in my own reply.



If you have a balanced eco system in your tank then you wont have to do water changes!



Patently false. Aquarium tanks can not duplicate natural conditions--they may mimic some aspects, but that's it. Advocating against frequent and often water changes is absurd at worst, and hopelessly outdated at best. While the fish in your tank may stil be alive, there are toxins building up that you can not test for, and the potential for a crash is very, very real. Will it happen? Likely. Can it work for a while? You bet, no arguments. Will the fish thrive? Highly unlikely.

Water changes promote better conditions and stable water. The myth that water changes are not needed is very old, and reflects the lack of knowledge that was common in this hobby. Yes, many books do advocate the use of chemicals, but no one on this board does.

I'm glad your tank is still alive, but understand that any newbie trying to get started in this hobby will benefit from changing more water than is needed then from trying to go without a water change.

[adblair]

I am sorry for this post in advance, but I got such a chuckle out of this that I just had to.... I'm sorry OG, I'm just teasing you....

Will tit happen?
That's not quite the expression I think you intended.... :laugh:

[Slappy*McFish]

Tit happens.




;)

[adblair]

look what i started....:rolleyes:

[OrionGirl]

Oh my! I'm surprised I didn't get censored!

Keep 'em high!

[RTR]

ROTHLWTIME! Will I get censored if I adopt a new sig line and cite the origin? Kidding.

[Must4ng s4lly]

Glad it wasn't me :) LOL! I am usually the typo queen!

You go OG!

[Uncle Bete]

lol hummm what was the subject?
oh yea, bucktits and pythons!

What I used to do:
When I had a 75 gal. I'd toss the drain end of the python out the back door. (grass IS greener on that side of the house).
Then hook it up to the sink to refill and hope no one flushed a toilet or something. And add some dechlor. while filling.
UNTIL a Khuli loach decided to play in the Python and probably od'd on chlorine.

What I do Now:
(with all of life's mean circumstances, living with mom again) we built an indoor pond (around 250 gals.) I do the same 'ol throw the Python out the back door, but, set a 30 gal. trash can next to the pond and fill it up with the right temp. water before removing pond water. I have a small pump in it to circulate the water and a hose to hook up to the pump to pump it into the pond when I'm done removing water.

I also use it on her 55gal. tank... just do the bucket brigade from the trash can to the tank.

This has been working great for me, and i'm content enough with the water quality/chemistry going into the tanks, for now.

I've done the fill the trash can the day before or more, but that requires a heater, so I've gotten away from doing it that way.

[Silent xXx Rage]

Originally posted by OrionGirl

Patently false. Aquarium tanks can not duplicate natural conditions--While the fish in your tank may stil be alive, there are toxins building up that you can not test for, and the potential for a crash is very, very real. Will it happen? Likely.

Hmmm would i suggest a novice do what i do? Nope!

But, my drytab test kits dont show anything negative, water is clear, plants are thriving, fish havent ever gotten sick, fish havent died short of expected life span, water doesnt smell, algae growth is clean and thriving, fish arent sluggish and it that isnt a happy camper then i dont know what is!

[ticklemepunk473]

I use a bucket but thats because I am keepin it real, old school. ;)
oh and also I am broke. lol

[Grassguy]

:OT: BTW, can anyone here curl a 5 gal bucket full of water w/o spillin it?:)

[Uncle Bete]

uhh huh, just yesterday! :laugh:

[Uncle Bete]

P.S. I was thinking in one hand, is that what you meant?
;) I'm 6' over 220# been getting away with that kinda stuff for yrs. Although I am getting old, so I cna't do as much as I used to.

[Grassguy]

Yeah, using just yer biceps. Kinda like you would do a dumbell when you workout.

I just started working out with HVHP cans...min wt 63lbs

[tomm10]

I like using the buckets because I have to use cold tap water in order to flush as many metals out of the water as I can. Because of this I have to age my water to get it closer to room temp.

With my 10 and 8g this is a no brainer as I can change the water in both with one bucket full. When my 29g is up and running I plan to use the same method but will likely switch to water changes twice a week of smaller amounts (changing 5g of water twice a week for a 33% weekely change). I find it really only takes me about ten minutes to do the change if I'm pressed for time.

Since I found fry in a water change a couple of weeks ago I now include a good 20 minute "Baby Fish Search" with every change :D

[lawdawg18]

I have been looking at getting a python to help with water changes. Its hard to pour water into my tank with out spilling some, uprooting plants, or causing gravel to go everywhere in the tank. Is it ok to add tap water to the tank then put water conditioner in the tank? I always add conditioner to the water before putting the new water into the tank.

[HarmonyAZ]

Wow - Look at all these responses!

Lawdawg - I have read that (I think) it's ok to put the conditioner in the tank and then add the tap water. Also, I've read (but don't know quite how to do this) that if you have some sort of surface like a slanted board in your tank to pour the water onto it doesn't upset the substrate. I have the same problem.

BTW - I measured my distance and I think I can get away with a 25' python so I went ahead and ordered it from Big Al's. Thanks for that link, whoever posted it. I ordered about $90 worth of stuff! Good prices. I will still do some manual bucketing but I think I'll use the python for bigger water changes.

THANKS!!

[Fresh04]

Python, all the way. Just got one, so easy for the larger tanks that require 2+ trips to the sink with the bucket! Highly recommended!

[Slappy*McFish]

lol..no pain, no gain! Feel the burn, baby!