This only works if you can get the bucket higher than the tank. Usually not a problem, but in my case for instance, my 25 is stacked on my 30 and the lid is at about 6'6". Not really an option in that case.
anyone have a way to refill your tank
- Thread starter slowmo115
- Start date
This only works if you can get the bucket higher than the tank. Usually not a problem, but in my case for instance, my 25 is stacked on my 30 and the lid is at about 6'6". Not really an option in that case.
Take a small dinner plate and lay it down on your substrate. As you pour water into your tank from a bucket, pour it over the plate, so the stream hits the plate and not the substrate. Or yah, python makes life easy.
I usually pour mine into my HOB filter. That way the water gets filtered before it goes in, and the pressure gets diffused a bit by the filter as it enters the tank. This seems to work well for me although I have a small tank and that may not be possible if you cant reach your filter.
I have 10 gallon tanks like you do, and I do the same thing that pdcrow does. I just use a watering can, and though tedious, pour it into the HOB behind the filter cartridge, and it comes out slowly and doesn't mess up any of the substrate...
Invest in a Python, I just did after years of keeps large fish tanks, and it is well worth the money, I got a brand new one off ebay. It got to my house 3 days after purchase.
I have a strange way of doing my water changes, but there is a method to my madness. I bought an 18g rubbermaid roughneck container a while back, and I would siphon water into it while refilling the tank with buckets at the same time. (this was to minimize the noise and splash from my filters once the water level got low) This was back breaking work, especially when I moved the 18g container with about 15 gallons of water to the bathroom and dumped it in the toilet. (had to be slow too... almost flooded the toilet once) I finally got an idea and tested it out for myself, and its what I've stuck to since. I still use my 18g container and I siphon water out into it, but at the same time, I have my python kit refilling the tank, so it keeps it at a constant water level. Once I've taken out about 12-15 gallons of water from my 55, I shut off the faucet, pull the siphon out, and use the python to suck all of the water out of the 18 gallon bin. I use this process for my 10g tank too, so I can use a small siphon hose so as to clean the gravel without pulling too much water out at once, and I can refill it quite easily with the python kit. Everyone has a method that will work best for them given their circumstances, you just have to play around with ideas and give it a shot until you find one you like.
when i had only 10g tanks and no python, i would use buckets. it wasn't a big deal, i just didn't attempt to fill them all the way - 3 gallons was manageable and easy, and since i was only refilling 5 gallons it didn't take much longer than trying to struggle through with a full bucket.
Put a saucer or bowl upside down in the tank, then pour the water onto that. It will disperse the current so that it doesn't destroy the substrate.
Just make sure you wash, rinse and dry the saucer or bowl well first, then use it just for that.
Hope this helps!
Just make sure you wash, rinse and dry the saucer or bowl well first, then use it just for that.
Hope this helps!
I use a plastic watering can without the rose.
You have much better control of where the water is directed, and no spills!
You have much better control of where the water is directed, and no spills!
