Partial Water Change - 10 Minutes Solution - Aquarium Advice

Serge · 06-30-2006, 10:02 PM

Hey folks!

I've had my tank for about 1.5 year now and I have always found that water changes were tedious, slow and wasting a lot of water using the python. Anyone else feels the same?

Since I use a mag pump to mix my new water, I came up with the following idea and thought I would share it.

Pic 1 - Water going out of the tank.
Pic 2 - A vew of the sink.
Pic 3 - New water going into the tank.
Pic 4 - A view of the pump back in the mixing bucket.

Easy and quick. Total cost, minus the pump of course, about $30.00.

One thing to keep in mind when pumping water out of the tank is the syphon effect. If you don't pull out the pump as soon as you're done, water will continue flowing out of the tank.

Cheers!

Lonewolfblue · 06-30-2006, 10:31 PM

Looks like a pretty good design. But if water is cheap like as it is here, then the python is the only way to go. But if water cost is a factor, then it looks like you have an extremely great idea there.

src · 06-30-2006, 10:44 PM

Just because water is cheap doesn't mean that flushing dozens or hundreds of gallons of good water down the drain is a good idea.

verucaproduce · 07-01-2006, 09:06 AM

That has been my main objection to getting a python. I don't like the idea of all the water that is wasted (and no, I don't pay for my water).

Could you describe a little bit more of how you put it together? It looks like there is a series of adapters, but I could be wrong.

MattAquaBio · 07-01-2006, 01:24 PM

lol i thought it was a powerhead in reverse at first...

toyotasrfun · 07-17-2006, 08:02 AM

i think this is a great idea
agreed.. just because something doesnt cost tonnes of money doesnt mean you have to waste lots of it.. one day we'll eventually have problems with water.. it's inevitable if you ask me.. good idea!
also.. you're able to treat the water in the garbage can before you put it in your tank.. let the hydrogen escape.. etc..
good call!
i like the idea.. you have my thumbs up!

coolchinchilla · 07-17-2006, 07:52 PM

Also the time factor. Looks like this system would be faster than a python

ferretttt · 08-10-2006, 02:26 AM

I use the same thing for adding water to my top off tank and to do water changes. A power head, a length of flexible hose and a bucket!! Works great!

dehinrichs · 08-14-2006, 12:20 AM

Part of a water change is the function of cleaning the substrate as it drains. This is where a Python would excel. You can't clean gravel when you're just siphoning water. I'll stick with the Python and waste a little water in the process.

mr funktastic · 08-14-2006, 12:31 AM

u can syphon the tank without a python. just geta 5 gal bucket and clean the crap out of it. i dont syphon my tanks. i have sand in all of them and i only sift in my cichlid tank. the other 2 are planted so i dont even vacuume them. i always use my little jug o emoty out the water and then fill it back up and top the tank off. its a bit more work but it gets the job done. and i dont have 50 bucks for a python lol.

06-30-2006, 10:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,822 Images: 7	Looks like a pretty good design. But if water is cheap like as it is here, then the python is the only way to go. But if water cost is a factor, then it looks like you have an extremely great idea there. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

07-01-2006, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
verucaproduce Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 467 Images: 7	That has been my main objection to getting a python. I don't like the idea of all the water that is wasted (and no, I don't pay for my water). Could you describe a little bit more of how you put it together? It looks like there is a series of adapters, but I could be wrong. __________________ 29 gallon cherry barbs, endlers, red flag cichlids, 1 lonely oto 10 gallon endlers LOTS of endlers 1 beautiful Himalayan cat Simplify your urls at http://curio.us/

07-17-2006, 07:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
coolchinchilla Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: IA Posts: 477	Also the time factor. Looks like this system would be faster than a python __________________ coolchinchilla a small zoo is cool!

08-10-2006, 02:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
ferretttt Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Shenandoah Valley VA Posts: 123 Images: 1	I use the same thing for adding water to my top off tank and to do water changes. A power head, a length of flexible hose and a bucket!! Works great! __________________ Eric "FerretBoy" T

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06-30-2006, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
src Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 476	Just because water is cheap doesn't mean that flushing dozens or hundreds of gallons of good water down the drain is a good idea.

07-01-2006, 01:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
MattAquaBio Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: north Georgia Posts: 199	lol i thought it was a powerhead in reverse at first...

07-17-2006, 08:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
toyotasrfun Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 16	i think this is a great idea agreed.. just because something doesnt cost tonnes of money doesnt mean you have to waste lots of it.. one day we'll eventually have problems with water.. it's inevitable if you ask me.. good idea! also.. you're able to treat the water in the garbage can before you put it in your tank.. let the hydrogen escape.. etc.. good call! i like the idea.. you have my thumbs up!

08-14-2006, 12:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
dehinrichs Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 17	Part of a water change is the function of cleaning the substrate as it drains. This is where a Python would excel. You can't clean gravel when you're just siphoning water. I'll stick with the Python and waste a little water in the process.

08-14-2006, 12:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
mr funktastic Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: alliston, ON Posts: 2,217 Images: 17	u can syphon the tank without a python. just geta 5 gal bucket and clean the crap out of it. i dont syphon my tanks. i have sand in all of them and i only sift in my cichlid tank. the other 2 are planted so i dont even vacuume them. i always use my little jug o emoty out the water and then fill it back up and top the tank off. its a bit more work but it gets the job done. and i dont have 50 bucks for a python lol.

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