water change question

[KenW]

What process do you use?
I am thinking of buying a Python no spill and clean. Anybody use these? I am tired of hauling pails!
Thanks!

 

[rob28]

i just use the conventional gravity syphon and pail. my tank is a 55gal so i, at most, do 10 trips with a 50% pwc. most of the time its a 25%, so its even less. to me its part of the hobby, so i dont mind the fun.


then again.....ive never used a python

 

[Mudfrog]

I use a python and they work great except when the valve leaks and sprays water all over the place. I've gone through two in a year so far.

But when you change over a 150g a week the 5g bucket gets a bit repetitive.

 

[black hills tj]

I use a python for my tanks(29g, 20g, and a 10g), and I use Seachem Prime dechlorinator.

 

[Johnny Tuttle]

I do a bucket. 2 buckets is a 40% change, and 3 does 60%.

 

[DallasFish]

I love the python, it lets me very easily service my three tanks.

I do 25% PWC/Vacuum in each tank once a week.

 

[Sombunya]

But when you change over a 150g a week the 5g bucket gets a bit repetitive.

Over 1200 pounds of water. Even if you carry it 15 feet that's a lot of exercise.

 

[BillD]

Pythons are OK, but they are slow and waste a lot of water if you are using them to pump down. There are better ways to fill than using a python, also. My set up is such that I drain to the floor drain in the basement, and I have Tygon clear vnyl hose for filling, outfitted with a goosenck and terminated in a tee. This allows for very quick, hands free filling. I have an LCD thermometer on the outlet pipe to help adjust the temp. I use various diameter hoses depending on the size of the tank, or how fast I need to siphon.

 

[black hills tj]

For the everyday aquarist, a python will work fine

 

[Mudfrog]

Over 1200 pounds of water. Even if you carry it 15 feet that's a lot of exercise.

Yep, it was especially fun doing them on my 2x 50g's before I added a sink downstairs

Thats still 10 trips up and down with a 5g bucket

 

[Mudfrog]

Pythons are OK, but they are slow and waste a lot of water if you are using them to pump down.

I turn the water off when I'm done vacuuming, then let gravity drain the tank, saves a lot of water that way.

 

[rkilling1]

Pythons are OK, but they are slow and waste a lot of water if you are using them to pump down.

I would agree. I throw my tygon out a window and never use the sink to vacuum. I get some pretty big weeds outside the window.

 

[sumpnfishy]

I drilled holes in my floor and setup plumbing to connect to a garden hose in the basement that then drains into a sump. Then I ran water lines from my RO system to each tank.

Using a siphon vacuum I clean the tanks and drain into the basement. Then slowly refill with RO. I usually pour in a little tap water (well water) to help the KH/GH.

Usually drink a beer while I watch it refill.

 

[aveldina]

We used buckets to do the 50% in my 36G on saturday, so there's no shortage of carrying but I have two lazy university student roommates who need exercise. I can always bribe them with beer..

 

[aqua man]

i have a python its easy no muss no fuss i just add prime before i fill it up