My Idea

[Indigo]

My elephant is a Northern Pygmy Elephant, and when I get him to do my water changes, I put a piece of screen over his trunk so the fish don't get sucked up, but all the other stuff does. Tantor just loves doing water changes cuz he gets to play in the water, and he finds all sort of goodies in the water.

 

[Kasakato]

Sonds like a good tool to have! Where can I get one?

 

[russjet]

seriously cool idea to get an elephant
but husband says no
cant think why

thanks for the laugh

really good

 

[Rushdude]

Hahaha... Thank you all for proving my point. The purpose of this thread isn't to discuss the percentage of water which should be changed weekly, it's somebody saying:

"Hey, I thought of this cool idea which helped me out. Maybe it could help somebody else out too!"

And YES, he could have built a DIY python. He could also use a shop vac to do his water changes, or get a pet elephant in order to assist with the process. There is more than one way to approach a problem, and as long as it works for that person, then that is what is important. A python may have cost $15, but this solution was free, and maybe $2 worth of putty if Sharkyloach ever changes his/her mind.

Congrats, Sharkyloach for making your life a bit easier. If you told us you saved time by carrying the water out of the tank in your mouth instead of using paper towels to soak it up, I'd say the same thing. Either way you slice it, you have more time to look at your fish now.

These forums are such a wealth of information, but my lord, you guys and girls can be a bit pessimistic sometimes!

A python would be well worth the money if he ends of getting water on the unprotected part of the dry wall and ruining it. I am sure it would cost more to have drywall replace and painted again rather than just buying a python.

Whatever makes you happy.

 

[Sharkyloach]

lol nope, putty is cheap as dirt. My dads a carpenter plus I also have the origonal color for my walls so it's a no money loss compared to goin out and buying a python. It was an idea I think its easier then a python. Thankyou Pirate X for defending my post for me lmao, next thing I know this whole things about water 25 or 50% water changes. Theres no harm in doing 50 percent water changes, the tank water was getting a bit bad smelling and the amonia level got a little higher then normal.

oh yeah and no drywall gets into my tank, the access was taken off and I put on the lid before I pull the tube back.

 

[amosf]

Make it easy

Hi I'm new here... Anything that make the water change easy sounds like a good idea. If changing the water seems like too hard of a job then you are likely to skip it. Our tanks are out in the middle of a big room, so your idea doesn't work for me I have a plastic storage container with little wheels underneath that I bring in and syphon the water into (holds about 50 litres (10g) maybe) and then I roll it outside to empty. Makes life a bit easier esp since I've been having to do daily water changes on the tanks since they got messed up with 'bad' water - we're is a very rural area with very poor water quality at times...

 

[cdawson]

your only suppsoe to change 25% of your water every week/other week.

50% is WAY to stressfull to the fish, and will mess up the cycle.

Where did you ever hear that? Most of the more experienced aquarist do a 50 percent water change every week. You just need to make sure the water parameters aren't too far off. THAT'S what is stressful to the fish, not the actual water change itself. In fact your fish are more likely to be more energetic and colourful after a 50 percent change. Of course it all depends on the quality of the water in your tap. If you aren't very experienced you may not know you should test your tap water to find out it's parameters. If it's way off from your tanks chemistry you should be using RO water or letting it sit out for up to 48 hours prior to changing the water. Using a large rubbermaid container a small powerhead and a heater would be ideal if this is the case.

I agree, with the python idea. Why would you risk your home over 10 minutes less time Get a python, totally worth the money and you can get attachments to hook it up to any faucet. Why on earth would you drill a hole in your wall for water changes?! Anyone who doesn't use a python should seriously invest in it on next pay-day. No mess , no worries. I used to use buckets and all that garbage before and I bought a python. When my python broke I thought I was going to have a fit. I can't live without it now.

 

[aussiegirl]

Whole in the wall ....mmmm......elephant even better.....best idea is get husband to carry bucket.....bingo!!!!!

Hahahahahahahaha

 

[russjet]

i tried the ele4phant but he blocked the view of the tank and quite frankly was far less gracefful than the fish :laugh:

at the moment this works well
pick two children son 13, daughter 11, are a good choice
get two buckets syphon out while standing still alternating buckets while they run to and from the bathroom the effort on my arms had significantly decreased and the teamwork opportunity can not be beaten

but the elephant idea was definately a good one
the hole in the wall worked for ten minutes till i realised i would hurt my tiles

but i am now thinking i may be able to put a mixer thing into the pipes under the stairs

did i mention that i am useless at d.i.y definately would need to warn the neighbours before i started

 

[Sharkyloach]

Why whould I need to invest in a python lol it's 15 bucks I work full time. It's just big als is in a different city and I dont feel like going for a long drive. I dono I like to experement, I live in a basement so who rerally cares about a small hole.