Topic: Doing water changes...

[TimP]

So, today I was doing a water change on my 90 gallon tank and thought there has to be a better way to re-fill the tank. When I empty the tank, it is right next to a window, so I just run my siphon hose outside the window and into the flower beds, which works out great. But when I need to re-fill the tank I have to do it 5 gallons at a time from the bathroom about 30 ft away. This tends to get heavy as well the fact that I do spill a little walking to the tank from the bathroom. Then I add my Neutral Regulator and the Bausmans that I treat all new water with, followed by lifting each bucket and pouring slowly in order to not disturb the decor as much as possible.

My question is is there any easier ways to do this or are we all doing pretty much the same thing? Thanks in advance!

[Gerry]

I refill using a hose on a mixer tap to control temp.  Add the dechlorinator to the tank before filling and have my canisters closed off. until filled

The decor is protected by have the water deflected when filling to break the flow strength

[Katt]

OH don't you love the bucket`s. 
Use to do the same on a 180 gal, 30gal and 10gal, it get`s old real fast.
I went to the hardware store and got a fitting for my kitchen sink, and a hose with fitting . 
Save`s my back, and make`s water change`s almost fun. 

[TimP]

Yes Kat it does tend to get old. Thank you both for the suggestions! I think I need to make a trip to the pet store this week now and see what they have for the fittings. I've only done something similar to that when doing an initial fill on a new tank before cycling, but it should nice for water changes as well. Thanks! 

[Biff Malawi]

I used to do 40 5g buckets out and in every week now I have a python and WC day has gone from 7 hours to 1 1/2 hours

http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Maintenance-Equipment_Gravel-Cleaners_No-Spill-Clean-And-Fill_8165377_82.html?tc=default

[mrbigfish]

Biff's link hit the nail on thehead. A Python is the way to go. they even sell extension hose so you can make it as long as you want. One thing though the water is drained from the tank slower when you add extensions. but the python is the best thing going as far an not carrying water.

[TimP]

Thank to all for the suggestions, I really appreciate it! However, the only concern that gives me is not treating exactly and only the new water that is coming into the tank. I was always taught that all new water coming into the tank should be treated before mixing it in with the current tank water. This was told to me by a very reputable fish store owner when I was younger. But from what I can see from all of your suggestions that it is in fact ok to introduce untreated water into the tank and instead treat the tank as a whole with the new water.. Please feel free to correct me if I misunderstood. That would be a really big time saver though! 

[Gerry]

That is fine as long as your filter media does not come into contact with the fresh water. Canisters can be stopped while doing water changes and this protects the bacteria. HOB filters I think are safe too if switched off (need a HOB guy to confirm) Internals would not survive and nor would under gravel filters

[TimP]

Huh, so Gerry, the main point to treating new water is to remove the chemicals such as chlorine? I didn't even thing to realize the fact that the chlorine in tap water would ruin all the bacteria that we take so long to build up! I knew that removing the chemicals in tap water was a big part but I also thought neutralizing the ph was also a large reason for treating the new water. That's great, thanks for clarifying. Now I have to go out and buy a siphoning/filling kit! 

[Gerry]

Yip, its mosly about Chlorine and heavy metals, Conditioner shouldn't change Ph

[Biff Malawi]

Biff AKA hob guy.

I vacuum out water put in conditioner fill with new water. I do 50% WC so my hobs are never running but I have also done it with internal sponge filters and never had an issue. I had 8 tanks running on sponges for a year, 50%wc per week no significant bacteria die off. I have even forgot the conditioner before and had no issues. I think once the chems are diluted they are pretty safe.

[TimP]

Thanks for the reply's guys! Gerry, the water conditioner that I use actually has something that adjusts ph as well as removes chlorine, chloramine, or ammonia. Its made by Seachem and the product is called Neutral Regulator. I have used this stuff for at least 15 years and it seems to do the trick. Below I'll put a link to the site, check it out and let me know what you think of it/or have you heard of it? What does everyone else use for their water conditioner? I'm always looking for easier and better methods for taking care of my puppy dogs with fins.   


http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/NeutralRegulator.html

[mrbigfish]

I have my HOBs and heater connected to a surge protector so I can swithc everything of before wc. I just stream water treatment directly into flow eas tap water is running into tank.

[Gerry]

I would find out what your water Ph is out the tap and see if you need this. most folk don't and it's more stable to use water you know is constant Ph rather than adjusting the Ph chemically

[TimP]

Mrbigfish, I to do the same thing with the surge protector for water changes, works quite well.

Gerry, I know from years ago my tap water was a little off which was why I used that particular de-chlorinator. But your reply got me curious, so I tested the ph last night and it was actually at 8.2. What do you use for a de-chlorinator? The reason I ask is because there are so many different ones out there, some of which are from no-name brand names.