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water changes on large tanks

4K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Oldman47 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I am curious about suggested (maximally convenient) methods of performing water changes on large aquariums, meaning 150 gallons or larger. I don't own one now, nor will I in the near future, but once I buy a house in the next couple of years, I plan to get a large tank soon after. Before I do that, I'm curious to hear people's experience and suggestions for how to clean and specifically change the water on them.

My largest tank currently is a 90 gallon, and I do water changes using 34 gallon brute trashcans... I'll prepare 25 gallons of new water in one can, then siphon out 25 gallons into another. Once I've removed 25 of the old, I use a 5-gallon bucket to scoop the new water back into the tank. Problems with this approach are: dragging the filled trash cans around is a bit cumbersome, scooping water from the can into the tank is effective but can be a bit messy, and if I had anything larger than a 90 gallon, I'd need more than two trashcans which would make dragging them around even crappier. There's gotta be a better way.

What do you guys do?
 
#3 ·
i agree with onefish, i use a 20gal tote bucket but any size, even your trashcan will work just fine. i place the bucket right next to my tank and then fill it with water using a python and treat the water. i then vacuum out the tank with the python and once i'm finished with that i put an old powerhead with clear tubing down in the bucket and pump the fresh water into the tank. LOL its a lot easier than using a 5gal bucket which i have done a bunch.

Steve
 
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