hoppycalif

In another thread I volunteered to show pics of how I change water, so here it is: All of the parts for this I got at my local hardware store, and the operation should be self evident.

lildark185

Pretty cool. How much did it cost to make the whole setup? Theres the python no-spill siphon which is basically what you've made but sells for $40.

hoppycalif

I don't remember the cost, but it couldn't have been much less than the $40. Most of my DIY projects end up not saving me much money. But, this particular system was made mostly from parts I had used in a permanent water change setup that I made for a 125 gallon tank, where the garage laundry tub was right behind the wall.

chadly

a little old fashioned here

hoppycalif

A 20 gallon tank, in my opinion, is about at the limit for doing the "old fashioned" water changes. About three trips with that bucket should do it for the 10 gallons needed for a 50% change, and I doubt that I could avoid major spills for more trips than that. I maintained a 40 gallon tank that way several years ago, and always had spills.

mazakman

I use one of these Eheim 1250 pumps and just throw it in the tank and run a hose outside. It has a sponge in it so you don't suck up things that you don't want to suck up. It comes in handy for filling the tank to. you can put a hose on the intake and output. I have 3 tanks and use it with a sterilizer and run it once in a while in each tank so I only need 1 sterilizer for all tanks.

http://www.eheim.com/universal.htm

John N.

Cool System Hop!

Very similar to what you created. I just use the Python No Spill System.


Big Al's Python No Spill System

Ever since I started using this hose system, water changes are about 10 minutes from start to finish, and no waterspill on the carpet or tiles, and no lugging buckets and stove pots of water around. I don't think it can get much easier than this.

-John N.

skinns

Interesting, I actually water all my house plants/garden plants with my water changes. What a noticeable difference too!

Ajax

I drain all my water with 3/4" tubing into a DIY watering system for my plumeria on the patio. Kind of a pain, but it's better than filling up buckets of water to water them.

chadly

I'd like to get a 50' python but if you buy the hose and fittings you can make one.