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Automated water changer revisions | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

But for people with a large tank, getting a python (none / 0) (#6)
by unclescott on Mon May 22, 2006 at 04:10:56 PM PST

is a terrific idea. If your tap has chlorinated or chloramined water, be careful adding it straight to your aquarium. If the tank is well established, you probably can add a dose of a conditioner like Ultimate, Ammo-Lock, AmQuel or something similar to the tank and run some (10-15% of the tank's?) water of like temperature there. If the tank is new (1-2 months), be careful. A stronger case for seasoning the water can be made.

I use my python to take gunk out and to add water to really dirty tanks that are going to be washed out and restarted. Maybe that is just me.

Of course I am considering getting a small sump pump, with a switch on a long cord and with a hose, to bring water to tanks. Maintaining aquariums needn't be a physical fitness workout, unless you want it to be one.

Using a tool like the python could also be a step on the road Peter has taken. Or you may find it is enough to enable you to do a great job with a community aquarium.

ATB!
uncle, different strokes for different folks, scott

[ Parent ]

Re: But for people with a large tank, getting a py (none / 0) (#10)
by PeterW on Wed May 24, 2006 at 02:03:11 PM PST

Beware, I started with a Python too. :-)

On the subject of sumps and pumps, did I mention that I have two buckets in the area with a water level triggered sump pump in it? This is really useful too.

When I'm cleaning a tank with a large number of fry in it, I siphon into a 5 gallon bucket. After the water clears, I can shine a light in to make sure I haven't caught any fry. When I'm ready, I just dump the bucket in the sump system. The water level rises, the pump turns on, and drains it out through a dishwasher attachment in the sink.

Of course, using a pump to draw seasoned water from a sump is only one step behind what I did, so beware. :-) Instead of a sump pump, I use a pressure pump normally associated with RO systems and a bladder tank. That way I just have to turn on a tap and have prepared water right there.

As for chloramine, I believe the majority of water supplies for larger populations in the US are well and truely loaded with chloramine now. Simply aging the water does absolutely nothing because it is in a stable state. I've heard of people putting water with chloramine directly into a tank and having the tank absorb the hit somehow, but usually this is from other people who didn't know that aging chloramine contamintated water doesn't work anymore. They were used to aging water which allowed the chlorine to outgas into the air. Having a lot of plants seems to be the key as plants do seem to break it down rather readily to get to the nitrogen in the ammonia part of the chloramine molecule.

On the other hand, an incident with chloramine water is what killed my favourite fish store last year. They normally put the hose in the sump for a short amount of time to let it fill and overflow. This is how they did their water changes. The problem was that somebody left it on all night and the chlormaine hit was just too much for their system to handle. Everything crashed and all the fish died (except for some apparently indestructable cichlids and an 18 inch long pleco!). Their insurance company called it quits and they had to close.

[ Parent ]

Re: But for people with a large tank, getting a py (none / 0) (#7)
by no1likeme1414 on Mon May 22, 2006 at 04:45:31 PM PST

Hmm ... obviously you are the expert, and I am the scribe, but I have used the Python (direct link to the faucet that both drains and fills the tank) for water changes since I bought it months ago. Also, I never did "season" water, because my wife is already done with my fish hobby and I don't have as many tanks, fish and toys that I'd love to have, much less an RO unit or 55-gal. drums of rainwater sitting around. ;)

So far, I've never had a problem with the tap water so long as I dump some Amquel + (removes chlorine, chroramine, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites) as well as stress coat (rem. chlorine, chroramine).

The worst "disaster" was when I failed to match the water temperature ... most of my new fish went into shock for a few minutes that time. Happily, none died!

If for nothing else, the Python system is FANTASTIC for gravel cleaning / drainage. At least you don't have to carry water one way! :P

[ Parent ]

You've got to work with what you have. (none / 0) (#8)
by unclescott on Mon May 22, 2006 at 05:10:56 PM PST

I'm tickled it works so well for you.

I wonder if we could find out what the active ingredients for Amquel II and Stress Coat are. If they are the same, using them both is redundent. On the other hand (or is that fin?), different chemicals can be used to reach similar goals.

You have quite a bit of company among those who feel that an established aquarium will take a certain amount of chloramine and "use it up." It seems that Python water changers are almost a requirement for "cichlididiots" (their term not mine) since they use such big tanks and often need such massive water changes. Certainly the hobby would be different without them (both the pythons and cichlid enthusiasts).

By the way, for the thrifty minded, one can put together a less expensive device with just a clean garden hose (drinking quality means you don't have to worry about plasticisers washing out, though one could just let it rinse out before use) and one of those water bed changers. I think the python would last a lot longer than the water bed devices however.

all the best!
unc

[ Parent ]

Automated water changer revisions | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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