Easy Large Water Changes

rcomeau · 05-20-2006, 06:29 AM

When I was using 10 and 15 gallon tanks I would change the water with tap water that I aged in a bucket for the week. Sometimes I would change the water with water straight from the hard tap water. Now that I have a 50 gallon tank, I don't want to keep 10 gallons of water in buckets. However, my fish seem to struggle after water changes with the hard tap water and dechlorinator added. What is a good/easy water change habit for a 50+ gallon tank?

**Damon** · 05-20-2006, 09:42 AM

By a large (30+gallons) rubbermaid container and a quiet one pump with a hose.

Scy64 · 05-20-2006, 11:07 AM

I don't know how well it would work for a 55g tank, but for my 30g, I put treated tap water into those 2.5g bottles of drinking water. Just cut the pour spout from them when they're empty, and they can be used again and again. This of course, can take up room in the area you keep your water to sit (I think I have about 6-7 of these bottles- they do well for my 30g and 10g tanks when both need cleaning). I find they're easier in that it's much easier to pick up a 2.5 gallon bottle with a handle and put it in the tank, then something larger and weightier.

Of course, I don't have room personally for that 30g container idea (so I haven't tried it). I'm sure either would work. =D

Gunnie · 05-20-2006, 02:06 PM

If you don't have issues where your water has to be aged and ph adjusted, and you can add water directly from your tap to your tank, your best bet is a python. I use it for all my tanks from 10 gallons to 100 gallons, and would not be without one. You simply add the dechlor just before or into the stream of water going into the tank. It is a lifesaver, and makes the maintenance part much more enjoyable.

violet · 05-20-2006, 03:21 PM

I use a large plastic trash barrel. Maybe leave it full of water outside in the sun for a while to leach out the *new plastic* smell and speed any outgassing from the new plastic. Then find a somewhat inconspicuous spot, fill it up and let it sit. Then you could either pump the water into the tank or use a bucket to refill.

I just don't like using straight from the tap water. Mine is seriously CO2 deprived which causes a ridiculously high pH and I like to give the Prime more than minutes to do it's thing.

violet

05-20-2006, 06:29 AM	#1
rcomeau Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 43 Posts: 91	Easy Large Water Changes When I was using 10 and 15 gallon tanks I would change the water with tap water that I aged in a bucket for the week. Sometimes I would change the water with water straight from the hard tap water. Now that I have a 50 gallon tank, I don't want to keep 10 gallons of water in buckets. However, my fish seem to struggle after water changes with the hard tap water and dechlorinator added. What is a good/easy water change habit for a 50+ gallon tank?

05-20-2006, 09:42 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	By a large (30+gallons) rubbermaid container and a quiet one pump with a hose. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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05-20-2006, 11:07 AM	#3
Scy64 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 25 Posts: 103	I don't know how well it would work for a 55g tank, but for my 30g, I put treated tap water into those 2.5g bottles of drinking water. Just cut the pour spout from them when they're empty, and they can be used again and again. This of course, can take up room in the area you keep your water to sit (I think I have about 6-7 of these bottles- they do well for my 30g and 10g tanks when both need cleaning). I find they're easier in that it's much easier to pick up a 2.5 gallon bottle with a handle and put it in the tank, then something larger and weightier. Of course, I don't have room personally for that 30g container idea (so I haven't tried it). I'm sure either would work. =D

05-20-2006, 02:06 PM	#4
Gunnie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 156	If you don't have issues where your water has to be aged and ph adjusted, and you can add water directly from your tap to your tank, your best bet is a python. I use it for all my tanks from 10 gallons to 100 gallons, and would not be without one. You simply add the dechlor just before or into the stream of water going into the tank. It is a lifesaver, and makes the maintenance part much more enjoyable.

05-20-2006, 03:21 PM	#5
violet Gone to ego-free waters Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Thankfully not near fishnut or simpte Posts: 184	I use a large plastic trash barrel. Maybe leave it full of water outside in the sun for a while to leach out the new plastic smell and speed any outgassing from the new plastic. Then find a somewhat inconspicuous spot, fill it up and let it sit. Then you could either pump the water into the tank or use a bucket to refill. I just don't like using straight from the tap water. Mine is seriously CO2 deprived which causes a ridiculously high pH and I like to give the Prime more than minutes to do it's thing. violet

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