Easy way to do a water change?

[totallydismayed]

So I'm looking for a way to do water changes on my little AquaPod 24 gallon that:

- Does not involve me sucking on the end of a tube to siphon water from the tank;

- Does not involve me forcefully gyrating a "gravel cleaner/siphon" in my tank, disturbing the live sand and scaring the heck out of my fish.


I'm thinking someone out there has to sell a powered pump that has a tube on both ends, where I can put one tube in the tank and the other in a bucket, flip a switch, and watch the water (gracefully) drain. Or maybe a manual hand pump of some kind. I haven't been able to find either though.

Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks a bunch!

 

[Scoobydude825]

I use the Python. It connects to your sink and you can adjust the flow rate.

 

[Wett Hands]

I use a canister filter. The hoses are long enough for my 75 gal and it's gentle enough... But then again my fish are getting pretty tame, some will even eat out of my hand now

 

[beaniebeagle]

i have 3/8 inch tubing that runs about 40 feet from my sump ,through the baseboard and along the basement ceiling to a sink. i drop the tube into the sump at a predetermined depth to ensure the whole sump doesnt go bye bye, go into the basement and use 60 cc catheter tip syringe to start the suction...down the drain it goes and all can be done without getting my hands wet

 

[Salamander]

How 'bout a powerhead with some tubing attached? Works for me.

 

[Azial]

I use a Python, hook it to the sink, and adjust the pull rate and I have no problems at all.

 

[drummereef]

Sounds like you need an Eheim Siphon Starter.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Eheim+Siphon+Starter-I-20640015-I-C-19-C-.aspx

 

[kenny77]

if your tank is pumbled, make an atachment to your pumbling (drain). close all ball valve and open the drain with can go out side of the use or can be made with flexi tube. this way you have no mess a new way to do something that many people hate. just open and close the valve. then just fill up the tank with the new water.

remember not to add the new water dirctly. if you have a sump, add the water in the sump. let it mix ther for a couple of minutes. take a salt level. and turn on the return pump

nice, easy, simple, no spills, 99% save

 

[Icefire]

take 6' of tubing with a 12" of rigid plastic tubing that you put at one end.

To start the siphon, put the rigid end in front of a power head.

Rigid is just to avoid water contact with your hands and give better control.

 

[asnatlas]

Re: Easy way to do a water change?

totallydismayed
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[FishHick]

I just use a gallon pitcher and a 5 gallon bucket. Two and half scoops out, two and half in. Done less than a minute.

 

[Victor1046]

We have a small pump purchased at Home depot or Lowes with
the two fittings.

One hose in sump one to a large 30 gallon garbage can that has
the "new" water ready to go. We mix the old with the new and
you end up with about a 10% water change. 10 gallons out, 10 back in.

 

[papagimp]

I got the best method of all, I have a girlfriend that doesn't mind doing the maintance on all my various tanks, lol. I think I've done 1 water change in the past several months. She's done the rest. and I'm very insitive on weekly water changes too.

 

[trpigg]

papgimp......wow. what i would give to have my dream-woman.

That must be the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[Sepeku]

I setup my closed loop system to also function as a way to exit and enter water so that all I have to do is hook up the proper hoses.

So long as the new water is premixed, I can do a 100 gal water change in about 10-30 minutes.

 

[Osmotic Shock]

Wow papagimp, how lucky are you!!
Last month when I was finally filling my 95 gallon I had my wife hold the hose while I used the python to drain 95 gallons of tap water out and then pumped 95 gallons of salt water back in.She said not only was this the MOST boring thing she had ever done but she would rather watch the hair grow out of my nose than ever help again!!

 

[trpigg]

osmotic shock....our gf's would make great friends...lol

 

[papagimp]

Whats even better than her doing most of the water changes, water tests, acclimations, and minor skimmer adjustmetns (I still have to empty the thing, lol) But she also let me buy a 220g, 42g, 2 x 29g, 2.5g, 55g, 75g, 55g freshwater, 20g L, 20g H, and two betta bowls. All within the first two years of the hobby. And fully supports me buying stuff for all the tanks. I just let her pick out a fish or coral every blue moon and she's happy.

(Of course the $300 persian I got for her, keeps her quite most the time too, it's a shame I hate the cat almost as much as I love the fish, that was one tough call to make)

 

[jimrawr]

Whats wrong with using a siphon? You only need to suck on the tube for about 1 second to get the water flowing and you're done...

 

[fareforce]

If you don't mind it being a little slow, you could get an aqualifter pump for about $15. That will take water out, and then when you are done, use it to put water back in.

I personally use a syphon that is self starting. All I have to do is stick it in the tank, and shake it up and down a little, and it starts right up.

I know I am going to hear something about the way that is worded.