what's best?

Swimfins

Swimfins

This is as good as it gets.
Sep 24, 2004
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Montreal Quebec Canada
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I have a 66g tank that I change water in 50% once a week using the bucket brigade method. This means I carry about 4 heavy buckets of dirty water away, and 4 buckets of clean water back to the tank.

Now, if I was going to change 25% x 2 per week. It would only mean carrying 4 buckets rather than 8, twice a week.

(Ok, get a python, I know! but I have other financial commitments right now and a python that long is near 200 bucks at my lfs)

Now, the question is:


Is one water change per week better than 2 partial changes? Or just the same as one big one?
 
Good question. I wonder if you tried a weekly change for a week or two to see what the load is on the tank, it might help you decide. Test the water along the way to see what changes during the week. The impact would be the number and type of fish (some fish are messy compared to others), plants, feedings... etc. I'm not sure if the size of the tank figures in, as the largest I have is a 30 gal.
 
swinfins.. you can get a small python for about 25 @ UR LSF and then go to home depot and buy the same size hose.. also make sure you get a connecter..
cut the python hose and use the new hose to extent you python hose..

much cheaper... and it work just as well.. :)
 
oh cool thanks for the tip....

I'm still curious on the effects of the large water change as opposed to the 2 smaller,,,hmmm.

I suppose nitrates would be the biggest factor. The 50% would probably remove more.
 
I would also go for 50% once a week instead of 25% twice a week. A powerhead can make water changes easier, attach a long hose to it for draining the tank (into a near by sink, out the window, etc). Then get one of those big garbage cans on wheels, fill it up and wheel it near the tank, and pump the new water in. Is your tank a hagen (with the dimensions of 48"x16"x20"?)? If so, I have the same one. :)
 
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fins... I do not have enough knowledge to advise on your question... Im pretty new myself...

I do have an easy method of changing water. I went to walmart and bought and $16 dollar marine bilge pump. It connects to any garden hose. I attatched a piece of styrophoam so it would it float and put screen over the intake so it wouldnt suck fish in (even though I dont have fish yet) When draining water from the tank you place it directly in the tank, when adding water you place in your source, I use a bathtub. whatever is convenient. the pump is not real powerful but it does the job. I am sure one of those pyhtons is more effective and does a much better job if cleaning gravels, but this method was relatively cheap and made changing water pretty easy.

Good luck.
 
ROLLIN said:
I would also go for 50% once a week instead of 25% twice a week. A powerhead can make water changes easier, attach a long hose to it for draining the tank (into a near by sink, out the window, etc). Then get one of those big garbage cans on wheels, fill it up and wheel it near the tank, and pump the new water in. Is your tank a hagen (with the dimensions of 48"x16"x20"?)? If so, I have the same one. :)
Click to expand...


HI: Yes Rollin, that's the tank. Its an old one. A friend had it collecting dust so I asked for it and spent boxing day lugging it home. I was going to buy a 108g, 4 foot by 18 inch by 22 inch tall, but........hey it was free :)

The marine bilge pump sounds good, so do the other ideas. I'll give them all some thought next time I go to walmart. Yes, A python, 60 foot long is 189.00 before tax at my lfs. I bought an eheim 2215 for 159, and this store sells it 199.....so lessons learned here.
 
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