Water Change Questions

TwinDad

I just got a 55G. It's going to be a few months before it is setup, but I have a few questions on water changes. For my current 29 gallons, when doing the Weekly water change I've been using a gravel vac to siphon 10 gallons out into a 5 gallon bucket. Use bucket to fill tank. I'm not looking forward to 3 buckets a week on the 55. I've seen people talk about a python for water changes. So my questions are on the python for water changes.

I thought I read a few times that people are adding the water conditioner to the tank in the amount for the water change before adding water. Is this the correct process? It would make sense to not add it after as the chlorine would harm the fish.

How to you get the water to the tank temperature with the python. Adjust the sink to the right temperature out of the tap then turn on the water flow to the tank?

Anything obvious I'm overlooking or have tips.

My wife broke the gravel vac and I'm looking to replace it might go with a python like device for the future.

jeaninel

I added my answers in red above.

You will not regret getting a Python (or similar). It makes water changes sooo much easier on bigger tanks

zof

Spot on, I use a little digital thermometer to check the temp at the sink, get it with-in about 4 degrees of the tank and just let it go, you have to remember you are only changing a portion of the water so its really not critical you get it the exact temp. A 20% water change at a 5 degree difference should only change the water temp by 1 degree.

Also I always add just a bit more water conditioner then the exact amount I'm changing, just for piece of mind.

TwinDad

Thanks. I'll keep the advice in mind.

When filling is it hard with Sand to keep it from going all over the tank or does the water not flow that fast?

zof

you have two choices in my eyes with sand/soil substrate either get a bunch of rocks and put them in one corner of your tank and when you fill it keep your hose pointed at them to dissipate the flow, or just turn down the pressure at the sink, will take longer to fill but wont get a cloud of sand.

GwenInNM

I have sand, and when I put water in, I use a nice round bowl, like a large cereal bowl and direct the water into that. It dissipates the water and does not kick up the sand. The bowl sits in the tank, and when you're done, you just take it out.

Gwen

TwinDad

I did the bowl trick when I first filled the sand tank with water. I use the 5 gallon bucket now and if I fill slow enough I don't kick up sand just curious the speed at which the python gravel vacs add water, but I suspect it's at what ever water pressure I have the sink on.

Thanks.

jeaninel

I just point the tube toward the back wall when I refill and I don't have any problem with sand kicking up. The bowl trick works too. However, here's a tip...when you're ready to start refilling, turn the valve at the filling end on slowly. If you just flip it on sometimes a blast of water will come out. Especially if there's air in the hose.