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One of the most cumbersome task in this hobby is the weekly water changes. The hassles of using a hose and bucket are self-evident. :biggrin: The Python system has released us from the confines of the bucket. However, the Python system presents several problems: (1) costly, (2) waste a lot of water while draining, and (3) disturb gravel/plants/fish when filling. Well, I would like to present a relatively new water changing system: using a U-shape PVC device that is user-friendly, very inexpensive to build, does not waste water, and does not disturb gravel, plants, and/or fish. I do not currently have a digital camera, so I've made a drawing using MS Paint to illustrate the system as well as construction's instructions.
Its construction is EXTREMELY easy. Obtaining the necessary parts is a one-stop-shopping ordeal, as all referenced materials can be found in the "Plumbing Department" of your local hardware/home improvement stores (i.e. Home Depot and Lowes). Just print out the above illustration and a sales representative will help you locate all the necessary parts. Materials you'll need but are not listed above are PVC Primer/Glue ($3) to attach the PVC pieces and a Hack saw ($4) to cut the 1/2"-diameter PVC piece to size; all of which you should have left over from your DIY CO2 reactor project. :wink:
DRAINING TANK
Put one end of the hose in tank and the other end out a window/bathtub/etc. Simply suck on the window end until the water drains.
FILLING TANK
Attach hose to faucet and U-shape water changer assembly. Turn the faucet on and the tank fills.
Until I can get my hands on a digital camera, here are pictures of Rex Grigg's and Roger Miller's versions.
Roger Miller's
Rex Grigg's
I hope that this post will help make your weekly water changes simpler. Please post your question(s)/comment(s).
EDIT: Mike's post on his DIY Python/WC.

Its construction is EXTREMELY easy. Obtaining the necessary parts is a one-stop-shopping ordeal, as all referenced materials can be found in the "Plumbing Department" of your local hardware/home improvement stores (i.e. Home Depot and Lowes). Just print out the above illustration and a sales representative will help you locate all the necessary parts. Materials you'll need but are not listed above are PVC Primer/Glue ($3) to attach the PVC pieces and a Hack saw ($4) to cut the 1/2"-diameter PVC piece to size; all of which you should have left over from your DIY CO2 reactor project. :wink:
DRAINING TANK
Put one end of the hose in tank and the other end out a window/bathtub/etc. Simply suck on the window end until the water drains.
FILLING TANK
Attach hose to faucet and U-shape water changer assembly. Turn the faucet on and the tank fills.
Until I can get my hands on a digital camera, here are pictures of Rex Grigg's and Roger Miller's versions.
Roger Miller's

Rex Grigg's

I hope that this post will help make your weekly water changes simpler. Please post your question(s)/comment(s).
EDIT: Mike's post on his DIY Python/WC.