Painless Water Changes

[Sprockett]

We just did our third water change today and even being careful it's pretty much a mess

Pulling out the water is fine, a bucket and some hydraulics, but putting it back in is the messy part. So I'm looking for a better cleaner way to do this, I was thinking along the lines of something like a hand pump that would push the water up the hose into the tank (or maybe a small electric pump)...

How have other people solved this problem?

Thanks

 

[vonodie1]

I am going to tag along on this one, as I am also curious how people make water changes less time consuming and messy.

 

[Paintbug]

i just use a small submerible pump with a 5/8" hose and pump it from the bucket to the tank. once it gets low i will just pour the rest into the tank.

something like this will work. it has a max head height of 6' and its cheap. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=VA2713

 

[EdKruzel]

A small powerhead and clear plastic tubing is always easiest; I fortunately have the advantage of placing the bucket above my sump (I use a bar stool) and just siphon back to the sump.

Ed

 

[Angels]

What type of powerheads do you use in your tank? I use maxijets, and thats also what i use to pump the new water back into the tank. Buy a length of hose at lowes that will fit the output side of the powerhead drop the powerhead in your water bucket and your set..You can also blow the gunk off of your rockwork that way. No need to go out and buy another pump....

 

[Angels]

Re: Painless Water Changes

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6733927#post6733927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sprockett
We just did our third water change today and even being careful it's pretty much a mess

Pulling out the water is fine, a bucket and some hydraulics, but putting it back in is the messy part. So I'm looking for a better cleaner way to do this, I was thinking along the lines of something like a hand pump that would push the water up the hose into the tank (or maybe a small electric pump)...

How have other people solved this problem?

Thanks

Ahhh...now i see you have a 12 nano, so you would need a bigger pump....DOH!!

 

[Petie]

I never even thought of doing that for some odd reason but it makes sense. I learned something new today.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

I ran a "T" off of my return line with a ball valve. This valve is on a pipe that has an open end on it. This valve is normally closed during regular operation. When it's time for a water change, I turn off the return pump, close the valve that returns water to the tank and open the valve to the open ended pipe. Then just simply turn the pump back on, drain the water into a container I have marked at a ten gallon mark, and turn the pump back off. I use the above mentioned method of a powerhead and tube to add new saltwater back to the tank. Then just open the valve to the return and restart the pump. Hands never get wet.

 

[lakee911]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6734044#post6734044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EdKruzel
A small powerhead and clear plastic tubing is always easiest; I fortunately have the advantage of placing the bucket above my sump (I use a bar stool) and just siphon back to the sump.

Ed

To empty, I siphon from tank to bucket on floor then from bucket on table (or stool or whatever) to sump to add new water.

I have a hose with an a u shaped hook (U tube w/ hose on each side) to hang on the tank and a valve on the other end to stop flow. I close valve, dip the 12in hose in the tank and when I open the valve, the rushing-in water carries it up and over the edge of the tank and starts my siphon. Then when I'm done emptying, I lift it out and quickly place in my sump--with valve closed. valve end goes into new bucket and siphon is already started.

 

[Pandora]

For emptying the tank, the Python No-Spill (faucet attachment uses vaccuum pressure for suction, created by turning on the faucet):

For filling the tank:

+

+

+

in a

; when it's done mixing and had some time to equilibrate temp & pH, attach

to the powerhead, and you're set. Whole process doesn't take too long, and you don't have to suck up yucky water or lug buckets.

 

[Dubbin1]

I just siphon into two 5g jugs and then pump the water back in trough a cap 2200 pump. Takes no more then 10 min start to finish.

 

[dryice]

i do the same thing as paint bug does

 

[vonodie1]

Wow, these are a great help guys.

Thanks for all of the fabulous ideas on how to make this water change as painless as possible.

 

[BenH98]

It's the simple things I never think of! I always raised my 5 gallon bucket onto the top of my entertainment center... a good 5 ft. up, then siphon the water down to the tank. But I'm liking this powerhead idea!

 

[Sprockett]

Great Ideas... I appreciate the help...

I like the Python setup, I'll have to go see how much it is....

Pandora that's how I'm making my water now

Never thought of using the power head...

Thanks all...

-Paul-

 

[AIMFish]

My setup at one time was about the same as Pandoras but I used a 33G trashcan and a Magdrive which I T'd off and put a threaded adapter on to screw the python on. The T allowed me to use the Magdrive to mix the salt and then I could close one valve, open the other, and fill the tank.

 

[Pandora]

You're welcome Sprockett, the Python retails for around $45 retail new for the 50 ft length, but it can be less or more depending on length. Sometimes you can find used ones for $25. They are great if you have FW tanks also (like me) since they can also fill the tank directly very quickly (but we unfortunate RO/DI-bound saps can't do that).

I can't wait to do the T-valve thing when I upgrade, but I'll have to learn a lot about replumbing everything then! There was also this cool auto-doser, auto-water changer system someone posted once, but it was a lot of money (a few hundred).

 

[fishaholic911]

I also use the t-valve

 

[motopsycho]

I use four 5G bottles for my waterchanges (bottles are old spring water plastic containers) 3 are full of new mix salt water and the last is empy. I just use an extra Mag to pump the water into the container then dump it. Cheap little setup

 

[zimmy1979]

I have to agree. I use the python and it works really well.