what do you guys use for your water changes?

[keithw283]

I am just wondering what you guys use to siphon out your water and detritus when doing your water changes. I use the aqueon siphon with the pump and it just seems too weak to me. It doesn't seem to suck much up other than water and that's not really doing much good for me. So what exactly do you guys use?

Thanks

 

[mcgyvr]

I use a 6ft long piece of 1/2" ID vinyl tubing..
And I still suck on it to get it started like a true long haired rebel.. woot!!
(knock on wood so I don't get sick next week..)

 

[ethuman]

+1 for drinking saltwater

 

[billdogg]

Python Siphon for me. By far one of the best pieces of equipment I've ever used. Mine is about 30 years old and works just st as well now as it did then.

Siphoning into a bucket is a sure fire way to get used water on your floor. And, no schlepping of buckets.

 

[FullBoreReefer]

Return pump plumbed into drain. Mixing station plumbed into sump. Crack a few valves and done.

 

[top shelf]

Same as mcgyvr, vinyl tubing and hope I don't get a mouthful of salt water.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

2 ft length of pvc pipe (for easier direction at detritus) inserted into 5/8" vinyl hose.
Suck to start. Spit out salt water if timing misjudged.

You can also completely fill the hose while its in tank, put finger over one end and put that end in your drain, remove finger. Syphon will start... to avoid saltwater gargle.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I use a 6ft long piece of 1/2" ID vinyl tubing..
And I still suck on it to get it started like a true long haired rebel.. woot!!
(knock on wood so I don't get sick next week..)

Ditto, but mine is 20' long and goes out the doggie door into the rocks beside my house. And Salt water laced with fish poo isn't THAT bad once in a while.

 

[Xxero]

I perform water changes out of my sump. I just drop a Maxijet powerhead with a piece of vinyl tubing attached to it down into the sump and pump it right out.

Then I plop the same powerhead into the new saltwater container and pump it right back into the sump. Eazy peazy. :bigeyes:

 

[bonnie.klassen1]

Return pump plumbed into drain. Mixing station plumbed into sump. Crack a few valves and done.

I just set up my tank the same way! Question: how do you get all your water out of the separate chambers of the sump? That's what I'm dealing with now... just want everything simplicated!


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[Shaummy]

Python Siphon for me. By far one of the best pieces of equipment I've ever used. Mine is about 30 years old and works just st as well now as it did then.

Siphoning into a bucket is a sure fire way to get used water on your floor. And, no schlepping of buckets.

add +1 for this as I have the same setup. I also use it to pump my fresh saltwater back into the tank from my make up barrel in the basement. Works great.

 

[billdogg]

add +1 for this as I have the same setup. I also use it to pump my fresh saltwater back into the tank from my make up barrel in the basement. Works great.

I did the same until I ran pvc up through the wall from my mixing station. I now use a $10 remote control switch to turn the pump on and off.

 

[MondoBongo]

i use a 1/2" ID piece of rigid air line tubing stuck on to about a 6ft length of vinyl hose to siphon with.

i use a python to drain the water.

and i have a home brew thing consisting of a PVC "hook" and hose that i hook over the side of the tank to fill with.

i use a Python Squeeze ball to start my siphons.

 

[Diana A]

I suck the tubing too. My water goes into a 5g bucket and I carry it outside. I heard that the saltwater from the tank shouldn't go into our drain since we have a septic system

 

[mako61]

Python Siphon for me. By far one of the best pieces of equipment I've ever used. Mine is about 30 years old and works just st as well now as it did then.

Siphoning into a bucket is a sure fire way to get used water on your floor. And, no schlepping of buckets.

I use python for water removal unless I want to save tank water for other uses. I have a brute trash bin on rollers and a cheap pump/heater to refill. Not automated but very easy. If I had it to do again I would spring for the silent rollers, the regular ones are very loud.

 

[LuizW13]

I have a Python siphon with a stupid manual pump on it, doesn't do nothing -crappy POS. So, i just do it the old school way and suck one end, and drain it to a bucket. The larger diameter tube on the inlet side is really the only thing i like about that siphon.

 

[Clowning_Around]

I use python with gravity to start siphon

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[Valentini89]

I use a regular siphon with submersible/finger start. No sucking for me.

 

[on the spot]

My water goes into a 5g bucket and I carry it outside. I heard that the saltwater from the tank shouldn't go into our drain since we have a septic system

If you are happy to lug it outside then continue. Don't have to though.

.....

I was using the valve this way to drain, this way to fill and done method. I'm working on a switch to a continual water change with an industrial peristaltic pump.

 

[hkgar]

automatic water changes for me. Program the Apex and all done