Easier waterchanges?

blakeoe · 05-06-2005, 04:03 AM

Ok here's the thing: I recently had new tank syndrome and had to do plenty water changes. I have become quite efficient in doing this except for the part where i have the new treated water in a large container on my floor and have to get it into my aquarium. I have tried several methods including a bilge pump for a boat and a drill powered water pump but the bilge pump i could not get to convert to a regular household socket and the drill pump was just crap! anyone know an easy way to get the water from the ground to the top of my tank?!? If so PLEASE help!

MyraVan · 05-06-2005, 04:12 AM

We just keep the new water for waterchanges in buckets. Then when we need to put the new water into the tank we put the buckets up high (on top of our daughter's high chair) and use the siphon to put the new water into the tank. I suppose that wouldn't work for you since a bucket wouldn't hold enough water?

fishfreaks · 05-06-2005, 05:43 AM

you can get a python siphon hose, that hooks up right to the sink to eliminate the whole bucket thing or you couls siphon the water right into your tank if you find a siphon with the hose long enough

buddah101 · 05-06-2005, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishfreaks @ Fri May 06, 2005 5:43 am

you can get a python siphon hose, that hooks up right to the sink to eliminate the whole bucket thing or you couls siphon the water right into your tank if you find a siphon with the hose long enough

I couldn't agree more!!! Or you can buy an aquarium/pond pump and some flex tubing and pump it in.

osteoporoosi · 05-06-2005, 08:37 AM

Regular garden hose does as good, you just have to insert a connector into it when filling the tank up.

Damon · 05-06-2005, 10:35 AM

Be sure to keep your hose indoors and away from dry areas. If you have used it outside, then don't use it inside.

ron v · 05-06-2005, 10:41 AM

I would recommend against regular garden hose. For only a few $ more you can get a potable water hose. They are made for drinking water in campers and rec. vehicles.

mrmoby · 05-06-2005, 10:42 AM

If you have a few bucks, I purchased a submersible pump from sears. It can pump up to 26 gallons a minute, and you can either hook up a garden hose to it, or they do sell a larger hose for it. I have used it to empty my 55g, and did it in no time, and would work as well putting water in off the floor. I like having it too, knowing if I had an emergency, the two 55g's I have could be quickly emptied. I think it cost me around $60, which isn't free, but it can be useful around the home.

Lexus · 05-06-2005, 12:50 PM

Cant you lift the bucket? ????????

I use buckets or a hose

blakeoe · 05-06-2005, 04:40 PM

Nope lifting the bucket is out of the question! It's a 30 gallon rubbermaid container. (it's pretty heavy full of water) And siphoning it into the tank is out too b/c it's on the ground and the tank top is about 4 ft high. I need some kinda pump i guess but i emailed someone who sells fountain pumps and they said they don't know if it will work (i don't know why) another thing that wasa perfect was the bilge pump but i know nothing about electricity and do not know how to make it run on a regular household outlet.

Lydia · 05-06-2005, 06:37 PM

why is lifting it out of the question? you are in the prime of your life-you should be able to lift 30 gallons of water!! its only about 300 pounds! jk

fishboy · 05-06-2005, 08:24 PM

mrmoby has a good idea. But there are other very useful pumps that you don't have to submerge but have a intake and a outtake yet will work in a modern house hold outlet. Go to a local home depot and try to find a "eletric sponge" pump. It has a intake house the you put into ur bucket and you just hook a garden house to the other end that goes to your tank then fill the hoses and it will pump the water for you

blakeoe · 05-06-2005, 08:59 PM

Lydia:
If it were on a Squat bar or barbell it wouldn't be a problem but this container is kinda awkward.

ron v · 05-06-2005, 09:03 PM

Use a bucket and dip it out.

**fish_doc** · 05-06-2005, 09:10 PM

You can try a straw and suck it out. LOL

I have a sump pump that I hook up and keep in a 5 gallon bucket and I syphon the water from the tanks into the bucket and let the pump send it to the sink. It could just as eaisly work in reverse pumping the water to the tank. I use my python to refill. This eliminates the constant running of the tap when cleaning the tanks. Saves water for me.

firetrie · 05-07-2005, 01:56 AM

What is the amps of the bilge pump. I know its 12V DC but to find a power sorce to run it from you house you need to know how many amps it uses.
At the very least you could run it off you car battery... altho that has its problems too. Possible to run an extention cord to you car? just cut off the male end and put a male end on it that fits your lighter socket. you could (for cost cutting) just wire the cut-off male end to your bilge pump, but its not recommended. You know the temtation to plug into the wall then..

If you are unfamillar with electricity then maybe you could find a friend to help you with wire thing.
Another possibility is to goto Wal-Mart and buy a yard tractor battery (around $25 with no old one) and hook it up to your builge pump. Of course then you have to recharge the battery..... So that seems to be a few answers hope that helps.

Cichlid Man · 05-07-2005, 08:18 AM

You can't beat a garden hose! I also use it to siphon the water straight out into the garden.

mrmoby · 05-07-2005, 10:10 AM

Yeah, a garden hose is great for siphoning out, but you can't fill off the floor with it.

Cichlid Man · 05-07-2005, 10:13 AM

I usually siphon the water straight out into the garden sink drain.

Mr Aquarium · 05-07-2005, 10:47 AM

Is 30g all you have to change in w/c's?
Iuse a gravel vac and 2 5g buckets, drain into the buckets, dump them out , do it tell i get my %, then fill that dang things up in the bathtub, declor it let it set for about a min, the slowly dump it in the tank, i can all 5 of our tanks in a half hour if I didn;t mess around about it.

05-06-2005, 04:03 AM	#1
blakeoe Educated Idiot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hammond, LA Age: 25 Posts: 209	Easier waterchanges? Ok here's the thing: I recently had new tank syndrome and had to do plenty water changes. I have become quite efficient in doing this except for the part where i have the new treated water in a large container on my floor and have to get it into my aquarium. I have tried several methods including a bilge pump for a boat and a drill powered water pump but the bilge pump i could not get to convert to a regular household socket and the drill pump was just crap! anyone know an easy way to get the water from the ground to the top of my tank?!? If so PLEASE help!

05-06-2005, 04:12 AM	#2
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 861	Re: Easier waterchanges? We just keep the new water for waterchanges in buckets. Then when we need to put the new water into the tank we put the buckets up high (on top of our daughter's high chair) and use the siphon to put the new water into the tank. I suppose that wouldn't work for you since a bucket wouldn't hold enough water?

05-06-2005, 05:43 AM	#3
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,272	Re: Easier waterchanges? you can get a python siphon hose, that hooks up right to the sink to eliminate the whole bucket thing or you couls siphon the water right into your tank if you find a siphon with the hose long enough __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

05-06-2005, 08:37 AM	#5
osteoporoosi Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 633	Re: Easier waterchanges? Regular garden hose does as good, you just have to insert a connector into it when filling the tank up. __________________ http://photobucket.com/albums/v640/osteoporoosi/

05-06-2005, 10:35 AM	#6
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,971	Re: Easier waterchanges? Be sure to keep your hose indoors and away from dry areas. If you have used it outside, then don't use it inside. __________________ 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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05-06-2005, 10:41 AM	#7
ron v Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 61 Posts: 1,123	Re: Easier waterchanges? I would recommend against regular garden hose. For only a few $ more you can get a potable water hose. They are made for drinking water in campers and rec. vehicles.

05-06-2005, 10:42 AM	#8
mrmoby Devout Heathen Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Waterville, ME Age: 36 Posts: 558	Re: Easier waterchanges? If you have a few bucks, I purchased a submersible pump from sears. It can pump up to 26 gallons a minute, and you can either hook up a garden hose to it, or they do sell a larger hose for it. I have used it to empty my 55g, and did it in no time, and would work as well putting water in off the floor. I like having it too, knowing if I had an emergency, the two 55g's I have could be quickly emptied. I think it cost me around $60, which isn't free, but it can be useful around the home. __________________ Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.- Siddhartha Gautama

05-06-2005, 12:50 PM	#9
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,407	Re: Easier waterchanges? Cant you lift the bucket? ???????? I use buckets or a hose __________________ 55 Gallon 1 Fantail Goldfish 1 Albino Bristlenose 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 4 Angelfish 3 Zebra Danios 14? Assorted Corys 46 Gallon 8 Tiger Barbs 8 Pulcher/Brichardi Cichlids 29 Gallon 1 Snail 1 Betta 8 Pulcher/Brichardi Fry

05-06-2005, 04:40 PM	#10
blakeoe Educated Idiot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hammond, LA Age: 25 Posts: 209	Re: Easier waterchanges? Nope lifting the bucket is out of the question! It's a 30 gallon rubbermaid container. (it's pretty heavy full of water) And siphoning it into the tank is out too b/c it's on the ground and the tank top is about 4 ft high. I need some kinda pump i guess but i emailed someone who sells fountain pumps and they said they don't know if it will work (i don't know why) another thing that wasa perfect was the bilge pump but i know nothing about electricity and do not know how to make it run on a regular household outlet.

05-06-2005, 06:37 PM	#11
Lydia Ichthus Owner Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: FL Posts: 1,902	Re: Easier waterchanges? why is lifting it out of the question? you are in the prime of your life-you should be able to lift 30 gallons of water!! its only about 300 pounds! jk

05-06-2005, 08:24 PM	#12
fishboy Custom User Title Join Date: Feb 2005 Age: 17 Posts: 1,647	mrmoby has a good idea. But there are other very useful pumps that you don't have to submerge but have a intake and a outtake yet will work in a modern house hold outlet. Go to a local home depot and try to find a "eletric sponge" pump. It has a intake house the you put into ur bucket and you just hook a garden house to the other end that goes to your tank then fill the hoses and it will pump the water for you __________________ It is only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything

05-06-2005, 08:59 PM	#13
blakeoe Educated Idiot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hammond, LA Age: 25 Posts: 209	Re: Easier waterchanges? Lydia: If it were on a Squat bar or barbell it wouldn't be a problem but this container is kinda awkward.

05-06-2005, 09:03 PM	#14
ron v Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 61 Posts: 1,123	Re: Easier waterchanges? Use a bucket and dip it out.

05-06-2005, 09:10 PM	#15
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,953 Blog Entries: 19	Re: Easier waterchanges? You can try a straw and suck it out. LOL I have a sump pump that I hook up and keep in a 5 gallon bucket and I syphon the water from the tanks into the bucket and let the pump send it to the sink. It could just as eaisly work in reverse pumping the water to the tank. I use my python to refill. This eliminates the constant running of the tap when cleaning the tanks. Saves water for me. __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

05-07-2005, 01:56 AM	#16
firetrie Fishy Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Michigan Age: 31 Posts: 13	What is the amps of the bilge pump. I know its 12V DC but to find a power sorce to run it from you house you need to know how many amps it uses. At the very least you could run it off you car battery... altho that has its problems too. Possible to run an extention cord to you car? just cut off the male end and put a male end on it that fits your lighter socket. you could (for cost cutting) just wire the cut-off male end to your bilge pump, but its not recommended. You know the temtation to plug into the wall then.. If you are unfamillar with electricity then maybe you could find a friend to help you with wire thing. Another possibility is to goto Wal-Mart and buy a yard tractor battery (around $25 with no old one) and hook it up to your builge pump. Of course then you have to recharge the battery..... So that seems to be a few answers hope that helps. __________________ Its never dull when you are Crazy! A fish in the tank is worth two on your plate.

05-07-2005, 08:18 AM	#17
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,093	Re: Easier waterchanges? You can't beat a garden hose! I also use it to siphon the water straight out into the garden. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

05-07-2005, 10:10 AM	#18
mrmoby Devout Heathen Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Waterville, ME Age: 36 Posts: 558	Re: Easier waterchanges? Yeah, a garden hose is great for siphoning out, but you can't fill off the floor with it. __________________ Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.- Siddhartha Gautama

05-07-2005, 10:13 AM	#19
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,093	Re: Easier waterchanges? I usually siphon the water straight out into the garden sink drain. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

05-07-2005, 10:47 AM	#20
Mr Aquarium Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Age: 43 Posts: 499	Is 30g all you have to change in w/c's? Iuse a gravel vac and 2 5g buckets, drain into the buckets, dump them out , do it tell i get my %, then fill that dang things up in the bathtub, declor it let it set for about a min, the slowly dump it in the tank, i can all 5 of our tanks in a half hour if I didn;t mess around about it.

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