How do you change you water?

[Abbeys_Mom]

How do you change you water?

I have a Homemade Python, but I still use buckets on the small tanks.

[xoolooxunny]

I have 2 five gallon buckets for the job. I take 10-15 gallons out of my 75g every week, by means of 5 gallons monday or so, 5 gallons wednesday or so...you get the idea. My plants keep the nitrates low so i dont want to remove too much at a time and deprive my plants, but at the same time i want to keep the trace elements available.

My 10 gallon gets 50% once a week.

[Chrona]

Same here. Bucket brigade :thumb:

[Fishguy2727]

If you have anything more than one 10 gallon tank, go with a Python. I have never had anyone complain about them, and many come back to say how great it is and that it is an essential part of fishkeeping.

[willisrad]

Ok.
Pretty new to all this.

What is a python??

I tried to search it, but found nothing......

[kimmers318]

I use both.....I siphon all tanks manually, but will use the python to fill alot of the time, esp with the bigger tanks.
A python is a long hose (25 ft I believe) that attaches to your sink faucet....if you want to use it to vac you can leave the drain valve open and the pressure of the water flow will siphon water and crap out of your tank right into the sink and down the drain. When you close the drain valve at the sink it allows the water to flow into your tank getting rid of the need to pour buckets of water into the tank.
We don't have great water pressure so the siphon action isn't all that great, but for filling it sure saves stress on the back!

[Lady Hobbs]

I used the bucket brigade up until a month ago and finally got the phyton. I can do a tank cleaning on my 55 and change out 50% of the water in about 15 minutes now.

Willisrad.........a phyton is a long hose that fits directly to your nearest faucet in the house. You turn your water on and it will suck the water from your tank right into your sink. Turn a switch and it will put it right back in.
Makes cleaning and water changes a snap.

I got mine online at PetSmart for $23 for a hose 25 ft long. They also come in 50 ft lengths. Walmart has them for $32 for the smallest size.

[A340]

I use the ol' gravel vac/syphon and buckets for my 10g and 29g. I do about 50% a week. Takes a good hour or so.

I have a question about the Python's though, how do you (those of you who use them) go about adding any tap water conditioner? I'm assuming you add it straight to the tank, which I've been told is not advisable (by several people). I couldn't imagine it being anymore harmful then adding it straight to the bucket.

Any advice?

Patrick :22:

[cocoa_pleco]

i use python 101


I hate the siphon way because once i was siphoning and watching tv at once and got water allover me and the floor. The python is easier


aliz, a python hooks to your tap, then drains it in the drain through a tube from the siphon to the tap. To refill, it does put in straight tap water, but apparently the fish are fine for 10 minutes until you throw in conditioner

[xoolooxunny]

I hate the siphon way because once i was siphoning and watching tv at once and got water allover me and the floor.

oh man, this made me laugh, only because it reminds me of ME!

I think i would need the 50 ft length for the python, my basement is very large, the sink is in a galaxy far far away.

[cocoa_pleco]

when i was a kid, i had my 33g on hardwood. Once, i dozed off and got 5 gallons on the floor. My mom got really pi$$ed because it went under the stand.

[fraley]

sounds like i need to get me a python..
i had never heard of them : -)

[A340]

aliz, a python hooks to your tap, then drains it in the drain through a tube from the siphon to the tap. To refill, it does put in straight tap water, but apparently the fish are fine for 10 minutes until you throw in conditioner

I'm assuming then you're fish are OK with adding the conditioner straight in the tank? Just curious, because once I get a bigger tank set up, I'd like to have a python.

Patrick :22:

[Fishguy2727]

I add dechlor as I start filling at work (don't need it in my house).

[Willyleigh]

Isn't the temperature of the water coming from the faucet a lot different to the tank temperature?

[Chrona]

Isn't the temperature of the water coming from the faucet a lot different to the tank temperature?

You adjust the temp of the water beforehand :)

[sanddigger]

I use a python. It's the way to go. I can do wc's on all 3 of my tanks in no time. I just recommend to watch it if you use a small bathroom sink. I was doing a wc on my tanks (siphoning the water out) when I went into the bathroom I was up to my ankles in water, LOL. (One way to wash the floor,lol) So now I use a plunger on the sink a couple of times before I start and use my husband for "water watch".:hmm3grin2orange:

I use Prime and I too, add it as I'm starting to fill the tanks up.

[Willyleigh]

You adjust the temp of the water beforehand :)
I have two faucets, hot or cold so I couldn't do that

[Severus]

I use my Python and will never go back!

[wijnands]

A python is a long hose (25 ft I believe) that attaches to your sink faucet....if you want to use it to vac you can leave the drain valve open and the pressure of the water flow will siphon water and crap out of your tank right into the sink and down the drain. When you close the drain valve at the sink it allows the water to flow into your tank getting rid of the need to pour buckets of water into the tank.

Hm, sounds like a waste of perfectly good tapwater to me. Wouldn't be good for the water bill either.

Besides, I like to use Aquasafe on the water I put in the tank.

[roulfi004]

Heres how a newb (me) does it:

1-I use a dirty bucket to get the water out using a plastic manual pump: a few pumps then the water just gets out by itself due to the water pressure effect

2-Then i fill tap water (directly mild water from the fausset, or closest to aquarium water temperature. -1 to 3 degrees different max- I can use one of the plastic thermometers to check) into a clean bucket that I only use for this purpose.

3-I put the water conditioner (from Tetra)

4-I mix the water with the conditioner using the plastic pump

5-Then i have someone else empty the bucket in the aquarium, while i put my hand between the aquarium and the bucket water to break the pressure of the falling water. Otherwise this could bring chaos to the aquarium

The biggest problem i have with this is in the last step: putting the water from the heavy (usually 15-18 kilos) bucket to the aquarium. The water pressure inside the bucket is not enough for me to use the manual plastic pump.

[TehTANK]

I need to change my vote because last night I went out and bought a python. MAN that this is a god send. I did a major overhaul cleaning last night in less then HALF the time it normally would of taken me doing the old bucket thing. I have a 90 gallon so back and forth with the bucket can get tiredsome. I wish I would of got a python a long time ago. I paid 39.99 for it at petsmart. I wish I would of gotten one of these things a long time ago. Anyway, my vote is changed now... I suggest everyone that can to get one! Life is so much simpler now.

[cocoa_pleco]

when i went to a american wal-mart i paid 32$ american for mine, with the 25ft hose


Why cant my wal-mart be like seattles? theirs has like 5 55g's and empty 10g's for sale, and a bazillion others. All mine has is 1 55g at a time, a 5g acrylic hex, the really odd 10g set, and betta bowls, thats it.

[crackatinny]

I won't vote yet, as I currently syphon, but with my new bigger tank I am going to try pumping through the cannister filter, if this works OK, I will put a t-piece in the return hose with a tap on it.

[TracyUK]

I use buckets for my tank and it takes ages! I did a 50% water change today (usually do a 30% change each week) and it took me most of the afternoon. There must be an easier way! If I fill it with a hose I cannot regulate the temperature of the water going in nor treat it so how do I do it????:confused: My tank is 180 gallons.

[Lady Hobbs]

I need to change my vote because last night I went out and bought a python. MAN that this is a god send. I did a major overhaul cleaning last night in less then HALF the time it normally would of taken me doing the old bucket thing. I have a 90 gallon so back and forth with the bucket can get tiredsome. I wish I would of got a python a long time ago. I paid 39.99 for it at petsmart. I wish I would of gotten one of these things a long time ago. Anyway, my vote is changed now... I suggest everyone that can to get one! Life is so much simpler now.

You are right there and let me tell you, the bucket is now obsolute for me as well. I have 3 tanks in my bedroom so run the line from my bathroom and clean all 3 of these in a heart-beat. I then take it to the kitchen and clean my 55 from the kitchen tap. Now and then I tighten the brass fitting down a bit too much to prevent leaking from the faucet but can loosen it up easily with pliers.

I got mine online from PetSmart for $21-23. Can't remember which. (tsk-tsk)

[Lady Hobbs]

I use buckets for my tank and it takes ages! I did a 50% water change today (usually do a 30% change each week) and it took me most of the afternoon. There must be an easier way! If I fill it with a hose I cannot regulate the temperature of the water going in nor treat it so how do I do it????:confused: My tank is 180 gallons.

Oh my gosh. With a tank of that size, you must get a python. You hook one end to your kitchen faucet, the other goes inside the tank. Turn the cold water on and it suctions the water right out of the tank into the sink. Leave it right where it is, turn a fitting on the python and the water goes right back in filling tank right back up. I can tell just by the feel what the temp is going in and as it's filling back up, pour my dechlorinator in the tank. PRESTO!

If Pythons are not available in the UK, perhaps another outfit like this is from Lee's. They work the same.

[TracyUK]

Thanks Lady Hobbs, I will look out for one of them. Do you manually add warm water to raise the temperature as filling it straight from the cold tap is going to be too cold for the fish surely?

[Lady Hobbs]

Just turn your hot and cold both on to give you the desired temp when adding back up. Just like you set it to wash your dishes. You only use all cold to draw the water out so you won't be wasting the hot water.

[Abbeys_Mom]

I'm glad to see no one selected that they didn't :)

[Lady Hobbs]

Just won't admit to it.

[TracyUK]

Bought a Python today!..........wow how easy are they???? Didn't think I'd find one in the UK but did! Did a 45% water change today while i was sat watching telly!

[cocoa_pleco]

pythons rule:4:

[kenyth]

Bucket and siphon.

[xoolooxunny]

I now use a python for my 75 gallon, but still use a bucket for the 10g in my room, just as easy.

[frizzlefish]

Alright, alright. You have all convinced me that I need to put this Python on my shopping list for Thursday.

I use a gravel vac to clean the bottom - this water I use to water the houseplants. Then I get the gravel vac going and stick the tube end out the window beside the tank (into another flower bed)to empty. Then have my husband do the bucket patrol back into the tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

Pythons are awesome for filling and draining. Used to load buckets, slop water all over the place and get all out of breath. Now I sit and drink a cup of coffee and let it do it's thing. The hand held vacs do have better suction for gravel cleaning, I think, but probably due to the long line it has to go thru. Still works tho.

[crackatinny]

I chose syphon and bucket, but the way I syphon is a little different, I turn off my cannister filter, and just grab the outlet hose and stick it in the bucket, it automatically flows, no pumping, no sucking.

[Drumachine09]

So who chose "other" then?

[jeffs99dime]

probably someone who isn't replying. lol

[SkarloeysMom]

I use the ol' bucket and syphon method 'cuz I have such small tanks. I saw the python on sale on Dr. Foster & Smith. It looks like a cool item that I will have to have if I ever get a big tank

[jeffs99dime]

I use the ol' bucket and syphon method 'cuz I have such small tanks. I saw the python on sale on Dr. Foster & Smith. It looks like a cool item that I will have to have if I ever get a big tank

a very wise decision. the python is worth it's weight in gold

[xoolooxunny]

ok, i am now officially a candidate for 'other'. I ditched the DIY python and just ran the hose out to the back deck and hanging down low. Pulls water REALLY FAST!! then i run the thermometer under the water until i get the temp i want (takes a couple minutes) and attach it the hose to the sink. takes me 10mins now to do a 50% water change on a 75g!!

[Drumachine09]

probably someone who isn't replying. lol



...cowards...

[jeffs99dime]

...cowards...

exactly. lol:hmm3grin2orange:

[YaYgoldFish]

I think i would need the 50 ft length for the python, my basement is very large, the sink is in a galaxy far far away.

yeah same for me.

[kenyth]

That's one of the reasons I like the 29 gallon size tanks. 5 gallons is a perfect water change and just happens to fill one five gallon bucket!