DIY Water changing hook

apastuszak

apastuszak

AC Members
Jun 2, 2015
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Bensalem, PA
www.stamphacks.com
Real Name
Andy
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iPhone XR
Built one of these this morning:

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About $4.00 in parts from Home Depot. I put a threaded connector on the end, so I could attach a quick connect valve:

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Now I can easily snap and unsnap my hook and swap it out for a gravel vac. I'm quite pleased with the setup. The inside tube is exactly half the height of the tank, so I can walk away and get a perfect 50% water change every time.
 
Made one years ago that I no longer use, but the suction side had various lengths that screwed on so I could easily set it up for 25-50-75% water changes.
 
Down to one tank right now and I always do 75% on it, so an extended pre-cut one is all I need. When I had many different sized tanks, the adjustable one got lots of use. 50% on the taller tanks was easily about 2/3 of the shorter tanks, etc.
 
I usually do 50% every 2 weeks.

I'm REALLY liking the quick connect valves. I have one on my utility sink for the valve to connect to. I put another one on the side, so I can quick connect my hose, and now one on the end to quick connect my attachments.

I was going to buy the Python ones, but they're $10.00. Hos quick connect valves are only $5.47 at Home Depot.

Only problem I have now, is that my Fluval 305 is getting air from somewhere after the water change. Air keeps shooting out of the spray bar. Which is odd, because I did't clean the filter.
 
Does the filter suction get uncovered during the water change?

Or the refill so fast the current flows towards it and as the new water de-gasses some gets pulled in?
 
I think it's new water degassing. I got bubbles all over the place now. Seems worse than normal. But I do admit that I've been lazy about water changes. Life has been hectic and this is the first one in probably 2 months.

The siphon did break in the water change. But I have already burped the filter.
 
Great idea and a nice setup!

Only 2 of my tanks are refilled by a short length of hose. I just use the glass lids on the tank to hold the clear vinyl hose in place. A more substantial hose would need one of these hooks for sure.
 
Even a "J" suction tube from an old canister filter would be more secure than a lid.... ;)
 
Indeed it would be. Sink to tank is only about 5ft. I actually use the section of tubing that comes with the large size Aqueon gravel vac for my refill. All I did was add a female garden hose fitting to one end so I can thread it onto the utility sink.
 
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