Using the bathtub and python to drain & clean

[CWO4GUNNER]

By using your bathroom sink instead of the kitchen facet to run your Python water changes you not only free up the kitchen but save hundreds of gallons of water plus you have a makeshift filter cleaning station with running aquarium water instead of bucket water for cleaning your filters. No more dirty water buckets but if you do the toilet is nearby.

By using the bathroom you are able to start the water drain in your tank using the wasteful python then once stated shut the python off pinch and disconnect the hose and lay it in the bathtub allowing gravity to pull the water from your tank saving hundreds of gallons from the python wasteful method. Then while the tank is draining sit down and clean one of you two tank filters in the tube with running aquarium water which is so much faster and cleaner plus you can even make high pressure by attaching a nozzle or just pinch the end of the hose with your thumb. You'll be done cleaning out the filter way before your 50+ gallon tank has reached 30%. Since I have to major canisters on each aquarium its great to just do one filter cleaning when needed in conjunction with a water change using the bathtub and running aqua running water, like having your own solvent parts cleaning tank.

I'm telling you this as I am just now finishing my 4 tanks 350 gallon water change and filter cleanings, and it was much easier this time using this method. So thought Id pass on the tip.

 

[Star_Rider]

great suggestion.
in summer I simply run the python outside attached to a hose to the lawn/garden and water the plant/lawn.
it's works really well with a 50' hose

I don't have a bathtub on the ground floor where all my tanks are.
when done draining I move the python pump to the bathroom in the laundry room and use hot/cold to fill the tanks.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

great suggestion.
in summer I simply run the python outside attached to a hose to the lawn/garden and water the plant/lawn.
it's works really well with a 50' hose

I don't have a bathtub on the ground floor where all my tanks are.
when done draining I move the python pump to the bathroom in the laundry room and use hot/cold to fill the tanks.

Your blessed having softer water and when I tried that using salt soften water it almost killed an entire flower bed. However since I switched to potassium no more problem with the plants in fact just the reverse. Since I don't clean my filters but once every 2 months I will start watering my plants again on non-filter cleaning days, great idea and reminder thanks.

 

[oscarluvr]

good idea, me i just open a window and let it run out on the grass, hook the well up to python and refill.

 

[kyryah]

I use a powerhead to pump the water out of my tank and outside through a section of vinyl tube inserted into a regular 50' garden hose. I use a custom vinyl hose with an adapter on the sink to fill a 30 gallon storage tub (filling to how much I need, sometimes I have to fill it twice or more.) The water in the tub is Primed and allowed to sit for ten minutes, (usually while I am pumping the water out of the tank) or in the case of my BW tank salt and Prime is added and agitated for 24 hours, then I use the same powerhead to pump the water from the tub to the tank. I do no lifting, and it works like a charm. I use a seperate siphon to pump water from the tank into a bucket to rinse my filter media.

I have performed a 50% change on a 26 gallon tank and a 80% change on an 80 gallon tank (back to back) in 30 minutes this way with no strain on my back.

Kristina

 

[solarregis]

I save 1 gallon milk jugs and fill them up with the waste water from my planted tank using my python. Then my father in law waters his vegatables with it. Since it is filled with fertilizer and fish waste, it really makes his vegtables grow! This doesn't use all the water, so with that, I water the potted plants on my back porch and then let it run in to the gardens. Our potted plants have never looked so good!

I am going to buy more plants for next summer, hoping to use it as an excuse for another or bigger tank

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

One day someone is going to make a killing with a reasonably priced HOB that takes pluming and has sensors to do water changes and back flush filters automatically and maybe even a side hopper for your fish food. Giving you more time to take care of the details like manicuring, and observing.

 

[fishorama]

I'm lucky to have a downstairs "fish bathroom", I start the python at the kitchen sink but once it's syphoning I throw the end in the tub. I also drape hoses, wet towels etc over the tub & towel bars. It doubles (triples?) as the lingerie/bathing suit drying area & half bath for people :lipssealedsmilie: