Fishpoor, my tanks are also a few inches lower than the faucet, but no problems with suction. Your situation is likely due to weak water pressure. I assume you already have the tap opened to maximum. Try another faucet if your hose can reach?
Big tank water changes
- Thread starter Cat
- Start date
suction holders to keep it in the tank
I'd suggest getting some suction holders to fit the hose to keep it in the tank as you fill and drain, or make a J-tube out of PVC to hang it there so it doesn't fall out. If you are REALLY clever you can add a shut off and strainer inlet and have the length so that it will drain the tank to the level you want (50% or whatever) and then the siphon sucks air and stops. Then move the end that is out the window to the sink connection and refill, adding dechlor as you go. Be sure to watch temps as you fill, if it might vary.
I'd suggest getting some suction holders to fit the hose to keep it in the tank as you fill and drain, or make a J-tube out of PVC to hang it there so it doesn't fall out. If you are REALLY clever you can add a shut off and strainer inlet and have the length so that it will drain the tank to the level you want (50% or whatever) and then the siphon sucks air and stops. Then move the end that is out the window to the sink connection and refill, adding dechlor as you go. Be sure to watch temps as you fill, if it might vary.
Fantastic. I dont know why but I was sure I was told somewhere it was bad to add water straight from the tap to the tank without treating it first! So what your all basically saying is fill her up no probs just add the de-chlorinator along the way!
I have a nice new hose very funky and swish attached to my outside tap. One other thing though percentage water changes, at what percentage is it likely to effect the overall tank temp. I wouldnt want to risk doing a big water change one day if say the fish are ill and find it makes the water temp drop drastically and bring on a bout of ich or something!
Which I understand can happen if temp drops to quickly, or have I been lied to for the past few years on this aswell!
I have a nice new hose very funky and swish attached to my outside tap. One other thing though percentage water changes, at what percentage is it likely to effect the overall tank temp. I wouldnt want to risk doing a big water change one day if say the fish are ill and find it makes the water temp drop drastically and bring on a bout of ich or something!
Which I understand can happen if temp drops to quickly, or have I been lied to for the past few years on this aswell!
Good idea about the suction cups anona. The J tube and the precut length has been mentioned in the thread already, as have the shut off valves but there are definitely many things you can add to it.
Cat - It seems you are implying that you use an actual garden hose attached to a hose spigot? It is much easier, IMO, to get the adaptor so that you can attach the hose to your kitchen/bathroom sink faucet. That way, you have the benefit of both the hot and cold water, and you simply adjust to the proper temperature. As for at what point a temp change can affect the tank - it depends on the temp of the water you're putting in, as well as the tank temp.
Cat - It seems you are implying that you use an actual garden hose attached to a hose spigot? It is much easier, IMO, to get the adaptor so that you can attach the hose to your kitchen/bathroom sink faucet. That way, you have the benefit of both the hot and cold water, and you simply adjust to the proper temperature. As for at what point a temp change can affect the tank - it depends on the temp of the water you're putting in, as well as the tank temp.
I find it interesting, too, that so many people add directly from the tap... That is awfully handy. Curing is never a bad idea though...I'd advise caution .. depending on your water source it could be very low in oxygen, or, like mine, very high in C02 (I'm guessing.... it comes out of the tap around pH 7, and after sitting or bubbling for a while, is closer to 8)
other thoughts?
Keegan
other thoughts?
Keegan
Am I the only one that's less than crazy about the idea of draining and filling a tank with the same hose? Wouldn't there be nasties breeding in there between uses without a very thorough cleaning every time?
For the record, I currently drain into a 5 gallon plastic gas can and fill with a 3 gallon bucket. I just have a 44-gallon tank at the moment, so it's not too bad.
For the record, I currently drain into a 5 gallon plastic gas can and fill with a 3 gallon bucket. I just have a 44-gallon tank at the moment, so it's not too bad.
Rinse the hoses between uses, and no 'nasties' will be a problem.
For temp changes--it will depend on the temp you keep the tank at, and the temp of the water coming in. I have a large storage tank that I filter water into, and use this for changes and topoffs, so it is usually about 10 degrees cooler than my tank, up to 15 in the winter. I've changed up to 40% and never seen a significant change in my tank temperatures.
In terms of ich--sudden, large temperature changes can be stressful to fish. If stressed sufficiently, they will be less resistant to disease in general. However, if the ich parasite is not present in your tank, the cooler temps will not cause it to spontaneously appear. Slightly lower water temp for water changes will actually induce many species to breed, and won't be harmful to your fish.
For temp changes--it will depend on the temp you keep the tank at, and the temp of the water coming in. I have a large storage tank that I filter water into, and use this for changes and topoffs, so it is usually about 10 degrees cooler than my tank, up to 15 in the winter. I've changed up to 40% and never seen a significant change in my tank temperatures.
In terms of ich--sudden, large temperature changes can be stressful to fish. If stressed sufficiently, they will be less resistant to disease in general. However, if the ich parasite is not present in your tank, the cooler temps will not cause it to spontaneously appear. Slightly lower water temp for water changes will actually induce many species to breed, and won't be harmful to your fish.
cgrabe said:
Its the same way a python works. I hope there aren't any nasties in my tank to begin with...so I'm not sure what would be in there to breed in any sort of pestulent manner. But if one is worried, a quick flush of hot water would clear it up.
Leopardess said:
Yes, that's one reason I don't use a python.
I have absolutely no proof of anything, but my thought is that there are harmful bacteria/parasites/vermin in the tank water, the air, and everywhere else though normally not in concentrations high enough to cause any harm. (or is that just my paranoia?) A dark (in storage), damp tube where traces of waste have settled could be a very good place for such creatures to thrive.I know many people rave about them, and they are probably perfectly fine, but I shy away from them for this and a couple other reasons. It's probably just my being paranoid (not always such a bad thing).
Ummm...I vote for a bit paranoid. After all, it's dark and damp inside you, but drinking the water doesn't give you an ailment, right? Tap water is treated with chlorine and chloramines to kill off the germs and bugs that can be hazardous to human consumption. In general, it works pretty well. Certainly, well enough that it isn't lethal to fish. Of course, there's a wide variety of microbes living in the tank water--the fish couldn't live in it without them. Very, very few are a problem in any level, and only a few will be lethal if they get out of control. Heck, take a mulm sample from a healthy planted tank some time and check it out with a scope--tons of things, all happily doing their thing. Not 'nasty', just part of a living environment.
Probably not the time to point out the thrving microbial community that's dancing in your mouth, nose, armpits, navel, stomach, or the happy little critters dwelling in your bed, eh?
Probably not the time to point out the thrving microbial community that's dancing in your mouth, nose, armpits, navel, stomach, or the happy little critters dwelling in your bed, eh?
