My tank is in my basement where I have no sink or bathroom. I do have water lines both hot and cold running close to the tank. I would like to run those line to a faucet mounted above my tank so I can just turn and fill. My question is about taking the chlourine out of the water. What would be the easiest way to accomplish this. Im not familiar with the r/o units but I dont think you can just run 40/50 gal of water right through them. Do they make a filter just for chlourine and where would it go? Before the faucet in the water line or attached to the faucet as it comes out? How many gallons would the filter be good for?
DIY tank refill
- Thread starter dogface
- Start date
when i do water chagnes i just put prime into the tank then put the hose in. you cuold do the same thing.
You've probably already thought of this.
Keep in mind that you will need to run the water for a breif period to get the temp right, unless you install one of those deals that cycles your hot water line so you get instant hot water. If not, I would suggest using a faucet that will swivel away from your tank. In which case, you'll need a drain under it.
echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
I'm very uneasy with adding the water conditioner to the tank and then filling it right from the tap. Sure, it will dechlorinate but the process isn't instant. I really don't like the idea of even the slightest minuscule insignificant bit of chlorine getting into my tank; especially when that raw water will be hitting my fish. (They like to swim up to outflowing hoses you know.)
I keep advocating my raised bucket method. You get yourself a sturdy stand of some sort that can raise the bucket above the tank. You then use your hose/python/whatever to fill the bucket, add the water conditioner, and then run a siphon from there into your tank.
This allows you to fully regulate temperature, guarantees the chlorine is fully dissipated, and also ensures the new water is added gradually to avoid stress and shock.
Not to mention it gives you a chance to test the pH of the new water against the pH of your tank water.
I keep advocating my raised bucket method. You get yourself a sturdy stand of some sort that can raise the bucket above the tank. You then use your hose/python/whatever to fill the bucket, add the water conditioner, and then run a siphon from there into your tank.
This allows you to fully regulate temperature, guarantees the chlorine is fully dissipated, and also ensures the new water is added gradually to avoid stress and shock.
Not to mention it gives you a chance to test the pH of the new water against the pH of your tank water.
after 3 years still never had a problem. look into this.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87601&highlight=diy
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87601&highlight=diy
Have you thought about a holding tank?
I am in the planning stage of building a house, in my fish room I will have a large Holding tank that i can age water in before i fill my tanks.
The holding tank will be approx 400 gal US,
to fill it I will have a float valve, that will shut off the supply line, I will also use a valve (anything with moving parts will eventually malfunction)
I plan on using a large power head to circulate water, and air stones, the pump will do double duty to act as a supply pump during water changes. (I will put a "y" valve on that pump, turn it one way it circulates the tank, turn it another, and it pressurizes supply lines headed to the fish tanks.)
The holding tank will sit about 40" off the floor, the top will be about head high, (I will put an access port on the top so I can dose dechlor etc.)
My tanks are all cold water, but it would be simple to put a few heaters in something like this (even use some type of switch to turn them on and off when the tank is full, float switch or something)
water changes would be as simple as turning a few valves, even easier if you were willing to trust some homemade electrical equipment.
my 2 cents
I am in the planning stage of building a house, in my fish room I will have a large Holding tank that i can age water in before i fill my tanks.
The holding tank will be approx 400 gal US,
to fill it I will have a float valve, that will shut off the supply line, I will also use a valve (anything with moving parts will eventually malfunction)
I plan on using a large power head to circulate water, and air stones, the pump will do double duty to act as a supply pump during water changes. (I will put a "y" valve on that pump, turn it one way it circulates the tank, turn it another, and it pressurizes supply lines headed to the fish tanks.)
The holding tank will sit about 40" off the floor, the top will be about head high, (I will put an access port on the top so I can dose dechlor etc.)
My tanks are all cold water, but it would be simple to put a few heaters in something like this (even use some type of switch to turn them on and off when the tank is full, float switch or something)
water changes would be as simple as turning a few valves, even easier if you were willing to trust some homemade electrical equipment.
my 2 cents
For those of you able to use one of the aged water methods efficiently it is a good way to go. Honestly my wife would probably kill me if I set one of those up in our house. Aquariums full of fish and plants are one thing, but it would be kinda hard to have a holding tank that fit in with the rest of the decor. Also I'm one of the people who has to deal with chloramine treatments in the local water. My understanding of it is that chloramine does not dissipate as readily with age and aeration. For me treating the aquarium volume with prime and adding water directly with a python is the most viable option.
