water changes (how?)

**drakanorn** · 05-27-2007, 10:15 PM

i plan to get a 50 gallon tank and do 10% water chages weekly. my question is...

How do you go about doing water changes without making a mess?

**NeonJulie** · 05-27-2007, 11:23 PM

Like a lot of people have been talking about lately, you'll probably want to look into a Python system. You can even get it at Walmart now. It attaches to your faucet with a long house that sucks the water out, then flips and pours fresh water in, after adding the Prime or dechlorinator in full amount to the tank.

Which is good, because you need to consider upping that to 25%-50% per week.

If you have a small tank like I do and conveniently located, then you can just use a gravel vac to remove the water, and then use buckets and pitcher the amount back in.

If you have fake plants, you can do a deep thorough vac cleaning, if you have some plants, the area where there aren't plants, and if you have a lot of real plants, just pick up some of the extra waste that might be lying on the top, and leave the substrate for the plants.

You're going to want to learn all about the nitrogen cycle for your new tank, so you can minimize fish death of your new fishtank. I recommend fishless cycling, it's as easy as can be.

**drakanorn** · 05-27-2007, 11:42 PM

thank you for the suggestion i think ill go with the python sytem :) i have already done alot of research on the nitrogen cycle and plan to cycle my tank for three months with live rock in preperation for my bimac(octopus)

**A340** · 05-28-2007, 01:20 AM

50 gallon tank at 10% water change weekly is only 5 gallons, or one bucket to empty and one bucket to re-fill which equals one round trip between aquarium and sink. Hardly enough to justify buying a python in my opinion.

**cocoa_pleco** · 05-28-2007, 01:28 AM

pythons definitely are the best.

On a 50g, it's best to take out at least 15G of water per week

**drakanorn** · 05-28-2007, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by aliz340

50 gallon tank at 10% water change weekly is only 5 gallons, or one bucket to empty and one bucket to re-fill which equals one round trip between aquarium and sink. Hardly enough to justify buying a python in my opinion.

unfortunatly my muscles are about as developed as a 5 year olds rendering me incapable of moving such a bucket, atleast not without sloshing it all over the carpet...

**Rue** · 05-28-2007, 04:30 AM

...I may have missed something...but I didn't think you could use a python to fill a SW tank...

...to drain maybe, but not to fill...

**cocoa_pleco** · 05-28-2007, 04:47 AM

saltwater tanks wont work with it. The fish/inverts will get shocked by the sudden gush of FW

**hungryhound** · 05-28-2007, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by Rue

...I may have missed something...but I didn't think you could use a python to fill a SW tank...

...to drain maybe, but not to fill...

I believe you are correct Rue. I think to fill a SW tank you have to fill a bucket and mix the salt in a bucket and then dump it in the tank.

I did a quick search and found some conformation

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ar...?articleid=423
Can I still use my Python, now that I have a saltwater aquarium?
Yes. Set the mixing container next to the aquarium that will be getting a water change. When the new water is ready, use the Python to clean the gravel and drain water. Then, hook the end of the Python up to the pump in the container and deliver new water to the aquarium.

**gbbudd** · 06-12-2007, 02:43 AM

you can use even a garden hose to drain your tanks water, weather it's out a window to a sink or even a tub or shower. if you can't get a syphon to work buy a power head it will push the water into the hose not a drop of water will ever hit your floors. you can even buy an addapter ant most hardware stores a lengthen a python. if im not mistaken though pythons add water directly from your tap water " faucet " to the tank. tap water has clorine in it which is used to kill bacteria, algea, ever try keeping fish in your pool? ok a bit extreme levels are much higher in a pool but same idea. Water should be aged a minimum of 24 hours in a open container this will alow chlorine to evaporate. Next trick is temps should be simular. Look at it this way folks either spend a few dollars in initial set ups for ease of use. or spend the money in dead fish due to accidents or neglect. a couple pics of my tank to show how im doing with my tank
http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z232/gbbudd/