Method for water change with EI
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Re: Method for water change with EI
A lot of people use a python type device whereby the water is drained from the tank at speed, and then refilled direct from the tap at a reasonable rate. Water conditioner (if used) is added directly to the tank water before refilling with the new water.
I am going to get myself a pump that can be used inline/submerged to drain my tank water and then refill from the tap..... kind of a DIY python as my tank is quite far from my tap.
HTH
A lot of people use a python type device whereby the water is drained from the tank at speed, and then refilled direct from the tap at a reasonable rate. Water conditioner (if used) is added directly to the tank water before refilling with the new water.
I am going to get myself a pump that can be used inline/submerged to drain my tank water and then refill from the tap..... kind of a DIY python as my tank is quite far from my tap.
HTH
Re: Method for water change with EI
Here is my solution to change 50% of my Trigon 350.................Pretty quick. The drill was the cheapest mains drill I could find
Here is my solution to change 50% of my Trigon 350.................Pretty quick. The drill was the cheapest mains drill I could find
Re: Method for water change with EI
I bought a siphon cleaner from http://www.sunrisetropicals.com/id15.html $20 and hook it to my python hose for quick draining. It has a squeeze ball for quick prime. I put my new water in a 16 gallon Home Depot Rubbermaid utility tub $6. I then mix my water conditioner and fertilizer using a pond pump. After a few minutes I let the pond pump refill the tank. Easy and no mess.
I bought a siphon cleaner from http://www.sunrisetropicals.com/id15.html $20 and hook it to my python hose for quick draining. It has a squeeze ball for quick prime. I put my new water in a 16 gallon Home Depot Rubbermaid utility tub $6. I then mix my water conditioner and fertilizer using a pond pump. After a few minutes I let the pond pump refill the tank. Easy and no mess.
Re: Method for water change with EI
I tried filling straight from my tap for the first time last evening. I pretreated the tank and filled very slowly checking temp along the way. It worked great except it heavily stressed my Siamese Algae Eaters. They all seem fine this morning but one of them was so stressed last night that 3/4's of the color in it's striping was gone and a couple of them lay around on the tank bottom like they were half dead. Anybody have any suggestions.
To drain the tank I just stuck the outlet of my Eheim into a hose and away it went. To fill I hooked a threaded coupling and boiler drain on to my shower arm - pre set temperature and then hooked up hose to fill. I used "Stress Coat" as my water conditioner.
Bill
I tried filling straight from my tap for the first time last evening. I pretreated the tank and filled very slowly checking temp along the way. It worked great except it heavily stressed my Siamese Algae Eaters. They all seem fine this morning but one of them was so stressed last night that 3/4's of the color in it's striping was gone and a couple of them lay around on the tank bottom like they were half dead. Anybody have any suggestions.
To drain the tank I just stuck the outlet of my Eheim into a hose and away it went. To fill I hooked a threaded coupling and boiler drain on to my shower arm - pre set temperature and then hooked up hose to fill. I used "Stress Coat" as my water conditioner.
Bill
Re: Method for water change with EI
I made my own siphon system. It has a ball valve on both ends of the hose so it can be stored full of water. That way the siphon is self-starting. I fill directly to the tank (90 gallon) and replace only 20% of the water at a time. You could do two or more refills spread apart by a couple of hours to get to 50%, but that is why I don't do EI.
TW
I made my own siphon system. It has a ball valve on both ends of the hose so it can be stored full of water. That way the siphon is self-starting. I fill directly to the tank (90 gallon) and replace only 20% of the water at a time. You could do two or more refills spread apart by a couple of hours to get to 50%, but that is why I don't do EI.
TW
Re: Method for water change with EI
Thanks Dolfan I will give that a try. I have a transfer pump from my plumbing business that should take care of the pump end of things and I'll buy a tub. All the SAE's seem fully recovered today, fortunately. I do have a giant water sprite that looks pretty beat up from the process though.
Bill
Thanks Dolfan I will give that a try. I have a transfer pump from my plumbing business that should take care of the pump end of things and I'll buy a tub. All the SAE's seem fully recovered today, fortunately. I do have a giant water sprite that looks pretty beat up from the process though.
Bill
Re: Method for water change with EI
I hard plumb a system from the tap into the tank(with both Cold and Hot valves) and a hard plumbed drain.
This is mainly for larger tanks or frequent water change needs, I use a simple DIY python with a refill like Tom Wood's.
You are not obligated to do weekly water changes with EI.
More volume and frequency will hit the target better, but if the tank is doing well, you can extend things 2-3 weeks fairly easily.
If things look funny, do a 50% weekly routine till it clears up, then back off if you want. The trade is present, but heck, everyone gets busy once a week and neglects.
EI is simply estimating based on a rate. If plants look good, keep going.
Large siphons or pumps can be used to drain, I've always used plain old tap directly into the tank and toss in Amquel and Macro's.
Run the tap line through a carbon filter if you want also to not need any Dechlorinator
Regards,
Tom Barr
I hard plumb a system from the tap into the tank(with both Cold and Hot valves) and a hard plumbed drain.
This is mainly for larger tanks or frequent water change needs, I use a simple DIY python with a refill like Tom Wood's.
You are not obligated to do weekly water changes with EI.
More volume and frequency will hit the target better, but if the tank is doing well, you can extend things 2-3 weeks fairly easily.
If things look funny, do a 50% weekly routine till it clears up, then back off if you want. The trade is present, but heck, everyone gets busy once a week and neglects.
EI is simply estimating based on a rate. If plants look good, keep going.
Large siphons or pumps can be used to drain, I've always used plain old tap directly into the tank and toss in Amquel and Macro's.
Run the tap line through a carbon filter if you want also to not need any Dechlorinator
Regards,
Tom Barr
Re: Method for water change with EI
sorry for the late reply, but what i use is...
is the python system, and syphon the gravel for debris,etc, then stop the faucet to save water, and use the regular gravity sypon effect to drain the rest. using the python system uses TONS of extra water.
my novel addition is a 50l trash can i store next to my water heater i fill and use for water changes. this allows the water to come close to my tank temp, conditioners to fully work, and i can control kh, gh, etc.
i then unscrew the python from the utility sink fauces(which is next to my 50l storage tank)attach the hose part to the trash can and let the water flow in; slow but it works!
darren
sorry for the late reply, but what i use is...
is the python system, and syphon the gravel for debris,etc, then stop the faucet to save water, and use the regular gravity sypon effect to drain the rest. using the python system uses TONS of extra water.
my novel addition is a 50l trash can i store next to my water heater i fill and use for water changes. this allows the water to come close to my tank temp, conditioners to fully work, and i can control kh, gh, etc.
i then unscrew the python from the utility sink fauces(which is next to my 50l storage tank)attach the hose part to the trash can and let the water flow in; slow but it works!
darren
Re: Method for water change with EI
I use a 35' python. They don't make em 35', I added 10 ft of hose to a 25 footer so I can reach my bathtub.
To drain it I start a siphon in the python and let it drain into the tub, Ifind it to be quicker and wastes less water. As it's draining I'll do some vacuuming of substrate. When its close to 50% empty, I connect it to the python valve attached to my bathroom faucet and continue syphoning with water pressure from the tap, adjusting the hot/cold valves to the tank temp, I just go by feel, no need for a thermometer. Once the tap temp is right, I push up the diverter on the python vave to start filling the tank. Then I go to the tank and add water conditioner, and my ferts into the water current. Then I wait till its full, turn off the tap, drain the python and put it away. It takes about a half hour to do the 75gal.
I use a 35' python. They don't make em 35', I added 10 ft of hose to a 25 footer so I can reach my bathtub.
To drain it I start a siphon in the python and let it drain into the tub, Ifind it to be quicker and wastes less water. As it's draining I'll do some vacuuming of substrate. When its close to 50% empty, I connect it to the python valve attached to my bathroom faucet and continue syphoning with water pressure from the tap, adjusting the hot/cold valves to the tank temp, I just go by feel, no need for a thermometer. Once the tap temp is right, I push up the diverter on the python vave to start filling the tank. Then I go to the tank and add water conditioner, and my ferts into the water current. Then I wait till its full, turn off the tap, drain the python and put it away. It takes about a half hour to do the 75gal.
Re: Method for water change with EI
I see many folks flush the tank water down the drain. Since it has been dosed with our stuff would it be good to dump it into the wifes garden?
I see many folks flush the tank water down the drain. Since it has been dosed with our stuff would it be good to dump it into the wifes garden?
Re: Method for water change with EI
Absolutely ... my wife even waters houseplants with it by simply dipping a pitcher into the tank (took me the longest time to figure out why this one tank had such a high evaporation rate) ...
Greg
jrneuzil said:
Absolutely ... my wife even waters houseplants with it by simply dipping a pitcher into the tank (took me the longest time to figure out why this one tank had such a high evaporation rate) ...
Greg
Re: Method for water change with EI
My 90 gallon is drained to the flower beds using the hose setup in the pic I posted. My 70 gallon is hard plumbed so that the drain exits at the base of a young oak tree I planted some years ago. That particular tree is several times bigger than other trees planted at the same time that started out the same size.
TW
My 90 gallon is drained to the flower beds using the hose setup in the pic I posted. My 70 gallon is hard plumbed so that the drain exits at the base of a young oak tree I planted some years ago. That particular tree is several times bigger than other trees planted at the same time that started out the same size.
TW
Re: Method for water change with EI
Tom Bar:
Your water changing system sounds very convenient. I like the fact that you have hard lined your drain and supply into the tank. Maybe you can elaborate on how you went about doing this? I'm very interested.
I use a Python a la Lowe's
It's actually an 60'
garden hose that goes from the 120 gallon and 10 gallon in the bedrooms to the utility sink in the laundry room. I use a valve on the tank end so that I can control flow and turn siphon on/off. I have a short hose with a screen that attaches to this which goes into the tank, but I also have a gravel vac with a female end on it that attaches to the hose as well. I store the hose full of water so that all I have to do is flip the switch and off it goes. I go from tank to tank taking out 50% water. I used to drain the water into the sink, but now I let it water (and fertilize ) the garden in front.
To fill I attach the hose to the utility sink in the laundry room. It has a Y on it with valves on each end. One end goes out to the sink and the other to the hose. Once the water is the right temp I flip the valves on the Y and divert it to the tank.
I was also having problems with stressing the fish when I put the water directly in the tank. As it turned out the Ph of the tap water just out of the tap is close to PH8. I assume this has to do with it being oxygenated so now I put the water into a bucket and then use a power head to pump the water into the filter intake of the tank which goes to the tank. This seems to allow some of the gasses to disperse and drive the PH down somewhat so that when it hits the tank it's closer to what it should be.
Tom Bar:
Your water changing system sounds very convenient. I like the fact that you have hard lined your drain and supply into the tank. Maybe you can elaborate on how you went about doing this? I'm very interested.
I use a Python a la Lowe's
It's actually an 60'garden hose that goes from the 120 gallon and 10 gallon in the bedrooms to the utility sink in the laundry room. I use a valve on the tank end so that I can control flow and turn siphon on/off. I have a short hose with a screen that attaches to this which goes into the tank, but I also have a gravel vac with a female end on it that attaches to the hose as well. I store the hose full of water so that all I have to do is flip the switch and off it goes. I go from tank to tank taking out 50% water. I used to drain the water into the sink, but now I let it water (and fertilize
) the garden in front.To fill I attach the hose to the utility sink in the laundry room. It has a Y on it with valves on each end. One end goes out to the sink and the other to the hose. Once the water is the right temp I flip the valves on the Y and divert it to the tank.
I was also having problems with stressing the fish when I put the water directly in the tank. As it turned out the Ph of the tap water just out of the tap is close to PH8. I assume this has to do with it being oxygenated so now I put the water into a bucket and then use a power head to pump the water into the filter intake of the tank which goes to the tank. This seems to allow some of the gasses to disperse and drive the PH down somewhat so that when it hits the tank it's closer to what it should be.
Re: Method for water change with EI
LOL Greg My wife does that too Her plants look great
Greg Watson said:
LOL Greg My wife does that too Her plants look great
R
Russ
Guest
Re: Method for water change with EI
I use a Python with a Rio 10HF pump attached to the end. I drop the pump in the tank and plug it in. This speeds up the draining considerably and saves gallons of water. When the tank reaches the desired level I pull the plug and turn on the faucet. The water goes out through the pump which acts as a diffuser so the water doesn't create a big disturbance in the substrate.
-Russ
I use a Python with a Rio 10HF pump attached to the end. I drop the pump in the tank and plug it in. This speeds up the draining considerably and saves gallons of water. When the tank reaches the desired level I pull the plug and turn on the faucet. The water goes out through the pump which acts as a diffuser so the water doesn't create a big disturbance in the substrate.
-Russ
Re: Method for water change with EI
I have a drain screened bulk head on the bottom of the tank, all I do is turn a valve to drain it.
I have a fill pipe coming in the top(you could add it to the sump but I prefer the tank) and it has a valve as well.
A good sized power head can pump or drain in a similar fashion.
By simply turning the power head off (use an extension with a switch built in) you can can change multiple tanks rapidly once the hose is in the drain. To fill, you use a valve to stop water flow near the end where the tank is so you can quickly change from tank to tank.
All you guys need to do is see a LFS.......they as well as breeders have a dozen or so ways to make water changes easy.
Regards,
Tom Barr
I have a drain screened bulk head on the bottom of the tank, all I do is turn a valve to drain it.
I have a fill pipe coming in the top(you could add it to the sump but I prefer the tank) and it has a valve as well.
A good sized power head can pump or drain in a similar fashion.
By simply turning the power head off (use an extension with a switch built in) you can can change multiple tanks rapidly once the hose is in the drain. To fill, you use a valve to stop water flow near the end where the tank is so you can quickly change from tank to tank.
All you guys need to do is see a LFS.......they as well as breeders have a dozen or so ways to make water changes easy.
Regards,
Tom Barr
Re: Method for water change with EI
i have a 28 gal plastic garbage can in furnace room that i fill and heat with aquarium heater,and air pump to agetate water. adding seachem PRIME,i allways do a day before a water change. the pump is a silent giant from surplus store that has a 15 foot pressure hight. it sets on floor,and water is plumbed into it along with switch upstairs to operate. all my tanks have water outlet tubes from eheim,suction cupped to glass. have shutoff valve inline or at end of tubbing,depending on whether it drains into bucket,floor drain or out side. allways have water for for my changes. of course a larger storage tank is needed if a large tank is to be serviced. regards,cornhusker
i have a 28 gal plastic garbage can in furnace room that i fill and heat with aquarium heater,and air pump to agetate water. adding seachem PRIME,i allways do a day before a water change. the pump is a silent giant from surplus store that has a 15 foot pressure hight. it sets on floor,and water is plumbed into it along with switch upstairs to operate. all my tanks have water outlet tubes from eheim,suction cupped to glass. have shutoff valve inline or at end of tubbing,depending on whether it drains into bucket,floor drain or out side. allways have water for for my changes. of course a larger storage tank is needed if a large tank is to be serviced. regards,cornhusker