Is there an easier way to make a WC?

[rosita]

Nobody took your question as stupid? Sense of humor anybody....?

anyways, a python is pretty easy, a lot easier and defaintly not as messy as buckets :]

Thank you for clearing that up, Firebelly_girl!! My response WAS meant on the humourous side---and helpful. As a career educator, the only stupid questions I come across are those thrown out there by bolo-heads who are purposefully asking stoopid quiestions.

Had I known my post would be taken as HURTFUL, I certainly would have posted a WARNING with it!!!!!!:grinyes:

 

[gatotsu77]

Haha... its amazing to see just how many different ways there are to get the same job done. I have a rather strange method of doing water changes... but it works well for me. I use a python kit to fill water into a 15g storage bin, (rubbermaid roughneck) and treat for chlorine/chloramine while its filling. This method lets me fine-tune the water temp, so its within a couple degrees of tank temp. Once I've got that full, I go place the end of the tube in the top right corner of my tank, and start up my siphon, which I place in the left side of the tank, and drains into an 18g storage container. (also rubbermaid roughneck) I'll run back over to where the 15g storage bin is, and plug in the mag drive 250gph pump I have sitting in the 15g storage bin, pumping water through the python tubing and into the tank. I'll move back over to the tank, siphon up the crud on the sand, and place the end of the siphon on the large chunk of driftwood in the left side of my tank, and allow the 18g tote to fill. I unplug the mag drive as it is pumping the last little bit of water out of the 15g bin, and plop the mag drive into the now full 18g bin. I'll put the hose in the sink, and pump the removed tank water down the drain, and while doing so, use a 3g bucket to replace the few extra gallons of water the tank is missing. Some nights I'll do this once, some nights twice. Depends on how tired/busy I am. I do this most nights, as I keep discus in my 55g tank. It all seems horribly overcomplicated, but it flows quite nicely for me, and lets me sit there on my laptop for most of the water change duration. (yep, dumb idea to be on a laptop while playing with water, but I don't let it get anywhere near the tank when I'm actually handling anything... just when I'm sitting there waiting for the siphon to do its thing)

 

[gatotsu77]

I would do anything for a Python but can't get one around here unless i go for a 3.5 hour drive to the next biggest city. I would say just be happy you have one...i'm still syphoning the water out into 2- 5 gallon pales and going back and forth from the sink.

Is there a hardware store anywhere near where you live? Its pretty easy to build one, and roughly the same price. Just need a waterbed fill/drain kit to connect the hose to the sink, and a couple hose end replacements to connect up the various pieces of tubing. You could probably use those hose connector kits and adapt the tube off of a large siphon to connect to the DIY python kit, and essentially have yourself the same thing. I know how much of a pain in the rear the bucket method is with a 55g tank... certainly a lot more work than it needs to be. On the plus side, its a great workout. :

 

[Vegas]

If you are referring to my post, I definitely resent your comment. You asked if there was aneasier method and I truthfully answered you what could be easier.

No Rbishop you and the others were helpful and I truely apreciate it! Really I do.

I was referring to the two before you ... the "yoda" and "durn" comment were a little condescending.


I really appreciate all the great ideas/suggestions! You guys and this forum are the best. Quick and accurate info, WOOT! Thanks again!!

 

[loaches r cool]

I didn’t think they were condescending... take a joke man. I mean a python is super easy, you really don’t have to do anything difficult at all really.

My problem is just having the time. The python makes it easier but still requires time, and of course actually being there which is a problem for me to do consistently. Also were I put my 240g there isn’t a sink close by that has a threaded faucet. So I setup an automated water change. And every day I change about 10% of the water... and besides the work to build the system, haven’t had to lift a finger to do it... IMO well worth the money as it is far more consistent than I could ever be. Of course automation is prone to failures, so a close eye is required to make sure anything doesn’t go wrong and its properly setup.

 

[THE V]

I use a python and since my tank is a whole 3 feet from the bathroom it makes it pretty easy. I tried using the suction setting to drain the tank but it took too long and all that water going down the drain was disturbing. So I took the hose off of the sink and tossed it into the bathtub. Works tons better than using the suction on the python. The perfect amount of suction and only dumping the used water down the drain. Then I fill up the tank directly from the bathroom sink using the python and toss in some general pond dechlorinater at the beginning that I picked up at the DIY store. Takes about an hour for an 75% water change on my 125gal. With me only working about 10 minutes of it (vacuuming and scrubbing down the glass). I normally play some online computer games while I'm doing it as I can see it from my chair.

Now the 15 gallon quarantine tank in the garage is still with the bucket brigade and it's a royal pain. Can't wait to break that thing down in a couple of months.

 

[Vegas]

I didn’t think they were condescending... take a joke man. I mean a python is super easy, you really don’t have to do anything difficult at all really.

I can take a joke but I guess we see the responses differently:lipssealedsmilie:. And loaches ... I never said there was anything difficult about using the Python. My topic was "Is there an easier way to make a WC" not anything about how difficult it is to make a WC with the Python.

 

[Vegas]

I use a python and since my tank is a whole 3 feet from the bathroom it makes it pretty easy. I tried using the suction setting to drain the tank but it took too long and all that water going down the drain was disturbing. So I took the hose off of the sink and tossed it into the bathtub. Works tons better than using the suction on the python. The perfect amount of suction and only dumping the used water down the drain. Then I fill up the tank directly from the bathroom sink using the python and toss in some general pond dechlorinater at the beginning that I picked up at the DIY store. Takes about an hour for an 75% water change on my 125gal. With me only working about 10 minutes of it (vacuuming and scrubbing down the glass). I normally play some online computer games while I'm doing it as I can see it from my chair.

Now the 15 gallon quarantine tank in the garage is still with the bucket brigade and it's a royal pain. Can't wait to break that thing down in a couple of months.

Nice. Do you fill the hose up with water and then just let it siphon into the bathtub from your tank?

 

[THE V]

No need to fill up the hose with water, or suck on the tube, or use a pump. A siphon will begin as soon as an unbroken water column in the hose is lower than the surface of the water in the tank.

So all you have to do is fill up the gravel vac with water then lift it with the base higher than where the hose connects. You will see that the water quickly runs into the tube. As soon and the water in the hose is lower than the top of the tank put the gravel vac back into the water with the base higher so that the air escapes and it fills with water. Then just let it drain. The force of the water falling from the tank is more than enough to push it over the edge of the bathtub.

Do the gravel vac when the tank is mostly full because the amount of suction will decrease as the level in the tank falls. The less difference in height there is from surface of the tank to the end of the hose equals a decrease force driving the water through the siphon. This is why if you have a long hose and can run in down some stairs you'll get a lot more suction.

 

[Lady G]

how are you able to syphon the water into your tank, my problem is that
dumping the water in from such a height disturbs everything in the tank, uproots my plants makes holes in gravel , scares the fish

When I have to use a bucket to pour the water in I take a colander and pour through it...it spreads the water out, and doesn't uproot anything...works very effectively...before that I would pour it over a plate.