×
Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Water Changes - any tips to make it easier

More
06 Oct 2010 16:54 #1 by roscelt (Paul Egan)
Hi All,

Is there any piece of kit out there that makes water changes easier to conduct? This query relates to a freshwater aquarium setup. I bought a 35L water container with tap for 10% water changes for my 350L tank, thinking it would make it easier, but between the container being half a ton to carry and its tap leaking I reverted to refilling the tank with saucepans, making the whole experience a bit slapstick.

Some questions:
1. Is it okay to add boiling water to the new (conditioned) water to bring up the temp before adding to tank? Else I have to buy a 2nd container and leave it full overnight to bring it up to room temp.
2. Is there any kit that makes water changes easier e.g. holders for tubing over lip of tank, pump unit, sink water tap attachment with 6 metre tubing that helps braw up the water (but can it help put conditioned water back in)?
3. Considering my desire to keep African cichlids and the level of investment so far, is it advisable to buy water test kits (pH, Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate) and if so what brand product is best?

Your advice much appreciated.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 17:04 #2 by Alkers (Simon Alvey)
I use one of those large Ballygowan containers from cold water dispensers you see in offices to do water changes. It's 18 Litres so it's perfectly manageable to just pour gently into the tank. You could just do two of these a week to give you a 10% water change. I also siphon off the tank water into it when removing water. I add boiling water to the new water in the container untill it's the same temperature as the tank water and add the conditioner at the same time. I don't think you need to leave it for long, just make sure it gets a good stir/shake.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • stretnik (stretnik)
  • stretnik (stretnik)'s Avatar
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
06 Oct 2010 17:12 - 06 Oct 2010 17:12 #3 by stretnik (stretnik)
Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Water Changes - any tips to make it easier
Problem with the Water containers from Water dispensers is the glug glug from the mouth of them, it doesn't allow gentle delivery to the Tank.

Post a few pics of your setup, ie, Lid open, height of top of tank from the floor, give the distance of the Water source from the Tank, then someone will have a better idea on what you need.

Adding boiling Water is not a problem.

Kev.
Last edit: 06 Oct 2010 17:12 by stretnik (stretnik).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 17:13 #4 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
I have four tanks in one room. A 500l, two 60l and a 25l. I fill a 210l water butt using a garden hose fed in through the window. I then treat the water, stick a heater in and leave it over night.

I have my gravel siphon connected to a garden hose (the hose on the larger siphons is the same diameter as garden hose). This siphons the water out of the tank and straight out to a drain in the front garden.

I use a submersible pump with a length of tubing to pump the treated water into the tanks.

This is a lot easier that hauling buckets around. I have a bad back so necessity was the mother of invetion!

Regards,

Ken.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • stretnik (stretnik)
  • stretnik (stretnik)'s Avatar
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
06 Oct 2010 17:24 #5 by stretnik (stretnik)
Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Water Changes - any tips to make it easier
I came across a small circular trolly in work, it was perfect for putting a 50 liter bin on , i pushed it where i wanted it.

Kev,

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 17:46 #6 by damien71 (Damien cotter)
i have a 20lt bin with a pond pump and hose that puts the water in easy

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 17:49 #7 by Pat (Pat Coogan)
I use a good gravel syphon to clean the gravel as the water comes out into a bucket on the floor.
The bucket has markings to say what volume of water I am taking out.
I then treat each bucket as I fill it from a mixer tap in the kitchen. I use an electronic temperature probe to get the same temperature as the tank and use the probe to stir the water to mix in the conditioner and ensure there are no hot/clod spots.
The bucket is then manageable for lifting above the tank and pouring in. The more bubbles created when pouring it in helps with the chlorine removal (or so I am told).
Also when pouring it in I pour it directly into the flow from my powerhead to get it mixed around the tank as quickly as poss.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 18:28 #8 by Ma (mm mm)
If the tank is on the ground floor, a 120 Litre butt out back with a hose and fittings that can reach both the tank and the tap.
Fill the butt from the tap, when you buy hose you can usually get the fittings and a pump, or use a powerhead, from the same place like homebase.
Draining the tank is also very easy as you conect the hose to the a powerheah and pump it out in one go.


My back is also in tatters but still have not got around to getting one myself.



Mark

Location D.11

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 19:14 #9 by Damian_Ireland (Damian_Ireland)
I do pretty much the same as Kens. Empty tank with hose using gravity, refill from 200L container in the shed which has a pump in it. Super simple.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 19:53 #10 by arabu1973 (. .)
Damian_Ireland wrote:

I do pretty much the same as Kens. Empty tank with hose using gravity, refill from 200L container in the shed which has a pump in it. Super simple.

It looks that my setup for changeing water got very popular i should had put a pattent on it :P

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • stretnik (stretnik)
  • stretnik (stretnik)'s Avatar
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
06 Oct 2010 20:16 #11 by stretnik (stretnik)
Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Water Changes - any tips to make it easier
Don't believe a Word, Arabu has his Wife carrying loads of Buckets !!

Kev.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 22:31 #12 by alan.s (alan)
I use one of the large water cooler bottles as well. Just marked my 20% on the side, use a siphon hose and clean substrate while flushing water into it. Easy to carry to sink or garden to empty, rince out and refill for change and pour in carefully. It's very handy,a guy in work advised me to do it and I would be lost without it! Trouble is getting the bottle( lucky I got one in work). Any way I hope this helps.
Al

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 22:43 #13 by JustinK (Justin Kelly)
I just syphon into a bucket, water the plants, then refill as many times as neccessary. Boiled water is ok, but hot water from the tap is not unless your in a soft water area. The inside of your hot water cylinder will be like the inside of your kettle if left uncleaned.
The pump job will be next on the list for my 400L. It was okay on the 150L, but this is a bit excessive.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2010 23:16 - 06 Oct 2010 23:23 #14 by roscelt (Paul Egan)
Thank you one and all for your suggestions. I will try an evolutionary approach and start with the 18L water dispenser bottle suggested. I'm guessing that the glugging action could be removed by use of cling film when pouring. How does a guy get his hands on one ... do they sell in shops?

I really like the idea of the pond pump to pump the water back in to the tank. Initially I would like to use a large bucket container and eventually figure a way to run it from a large water but in shed or houser..

My tank dimensions are displayed in centimetres in the image attached below as per Kev's request. I estimate that the kitchen sink is approximately 7 to 8 metres away from the tank. The lid comes in easy to remove segments, and essentially I can drape the tube over the front lip. A piece of curved plastic piping might come handy to fix the flexible plastic tubing in place.
Attachments:
Last edit: 06 Oct 2010 23:23 by roscelt (Paul Egan).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
07 Oct 2010 00:52 #15 by alan.s (alan)
Ifyou tip the bottle gently it should be fine or Evan drill a hole one side of the spout it should let the air in for easier pouring. I "borrowed" mine from work .not sure wher you would pick one up.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
07 Oct 2010 01:45 #16 by joey (joe watson)
i have 3 gravel syphons, long one for bottom of big tank but a shorter one that has a flexi pipe at the top and it hangs over the tank great

work allows me access to zillions of 10/15/20l buckets all with lids (oil and mayo/sauce) so i mix up the water in enough buckets (say 100l total) and use 2x20l buckets to collect syphoned water, when one is full just switch it over and pour full one down the crapper until 100l is taken out

if you like i could get some more if you live near/can get to portlaoise and want em, i have 10 already and probably 5-10 going spare in work (less lids tho)

Location: Portlaoise, Midlands

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
07 Oct 2010 08:16 #17 by arabu1973 (. .)
stretnik wrote:

Don't believe a Word, Arabu has his Wife carrying loads of Buckets !!
Kev.

I'll show this to Hazel today, i can't wait to see how you explain this to her when you come over this evening :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
07 Oct 2010 18:04 #18 by andrewo (andrew)
go the conventional way- take up a bodybuiding or keep fit class!BUILD THOSE MUSCLES!:laugh:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
10 Oct 2010 20:11 #19 by Jim (Jim Lawlor)
I have a length of hose cut to reach from the furthest tank to an outside drain. Because its a bit of a distance, I put an auto-stop valve on it (you can get them in woodies or B&Q or anywhere and they fit all standard hoses etc.)
I connect the valve to a tap & run it into the tank until water starts to come out.
Then I stop the tap, disconnect the valve and put it in the drain.
Then I connect the gravel cleaner at the tank end.
The I put another connector into the auto-stop valve and it starts to let the water out. This usually starts draining water through the gravel cleaner without any messing about in the tank. And all the water goes straight down the drain.

Then I use a 120L wheelie bin filled with water previously, heated & treated - I use a powerhead to pump the water into the tank. (its very heavy full of water, so I "park" it beside each tank before it gets filled.)

I wrecked my back previously, so tried to find ways to minimise further damage . . .

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
11 Oct 2010 10:22 #20 by joey (joe watson)
wow i thought i faffed around doing water changes.
and my wife goes nuts that i have alot of buckets in the house at water change time! would never get away with a wheelie bin

Location: Portlaoise, Midlands

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
11 Oct 2010 13:00 #21 by Jim (Jim Lawlor)
I can see what you mean - it doesn't come across very well on paper!

It's actually fairly straightforward, no buckets, No spillage, no splashing in the tanks, much faster and the only thing visible in the rest of the house is a hose. The wheelie bin is restricted to the fishroom (if u could call it that).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.083 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum