I vaccum the gravel, removing about 20% of the water, and then begin to fill my two 5 gallon home depot buckets with tap water. I put a couple of capfuls of stress coat in each bucket, wait for a minute or two while I re-arrange any driftwood or plants I may have disturbed, and then put the new fresh water in one bucket at a time. I've been a little skeptical about the python, because of the dechlorinator issue. After reading the posts here I am beginning to feel better about it. It would definitely be easier.
Water Change Technique
- Thread starter MaryHM
- Start date
I use the bucket brigade method for water changes. I add the declor to the bucket first and assume that diluting 5 ml with 5 gal will adequately mix. Temp is done with thermometer. The buckets are heavy and sometimes splash. I have thought about getting a pump instead of pouring. The python scares me, since my water source is in a different room then the tanks. I am afraid the hose would come out and flood. I make a big enough mess when I pour.
I was wondering how people pour their buckets into the tanks without churning everything up real bad.
I churn it up real bad. Actually, it takes a 'slow pour'. One of the reasons I have considered buying a pump instead.
I wonder what the most affordable/useful pump would be for emptying buckets back into the tank. Maybe one of those battery powered syphons.
I use a DIY filler tube that attaches to my faucet.
I pump out 50% of the tank water using my FX5.
I add prime to the tank first treating the whole volume of
the tank, then add tap water straight to the tank.
Done that for years and has worked out far better than buckets lol. Lot less back pain
I pump out 50% of the tank water using my FX5.
I add prime to the tank first treating the whole volume of
the tank, then add tap water straight to the tank.
Done that for years and has worked out far better than buckets lol. Lot less back pain
i'm one of those folks thats paranoid about tapwater going straight into my tank too. mind you, my tap water does have chloramine, and quite a lot of it (sometimes the water will smell a bit 'swimming pool').
to keep the splash factor down, and to make it easier and less painful to refill tanks, i have a couple of 2 gallon (approx) rectangular tubs that fit nicely in the sink. fill those up with water that is temperature matched to the tank water, dose my Prime, swirl the water around a bit, and pour them into the tank.
refilling a 55 gallon this way can be a bit time consuming, lol, but it keeps my mind at ease knowing there is no chloramine touching my fish.
to keep the splash factor down, and to make it easier and less painful to refill tanks, i have a couple of 2 gallon (approx) rectangular tubs that fit nicely in the sink. fill those up with water that is temperature matched to the tank water, dose my Prime, swirl the water around a bit, and pour them into the tank.
refilling a 55 gallon this way can be a bit time consuming, lol, but it keeps my mind at ease knowing there is no chloramine touching my fish.
I add directly from the sink with tap water,
never had a problem. I do about a 30& water change every week and a half or so. never had a problem with the water straight from the tap.
never had a problem. I do about a 30& water change every week and a half or so. never had a problem with the water straight from the tap.
wouldn't spend a ton of money on a pump. I use the had squeeze one to empty, 4 or 5 pumps and it flows very fast, I just hang the other end out my window.. LOL
