Is there an easier way to perform water changes?

jcoat · 04/17/2007, 09:55 AM

I currently perfrom water changes roughly once a week......and i am wondering if someone can help me out? I currently use a gravel vacuum to siphon the water out........about 5-7 gallons......with my premixed salt water in a 5 gallon bucket....i pour the new water intop the tank. however....i 5 gallon bucket isnt the easiest and lightest thing to pick up and pour nicely into a tank.....is there some sort of reverse siphoning device i can use to pump the new water back into the main tank??? Without have to lift the bucket above the tank to siphon it back in??? Can anyone recommend some alternatives please???

eaj43081 · 04/17/2007, 10:09 AM

I drop an old pitcher into the 5 gallon bucket. It easier and lighter to pour the water in the tank. If you wanted you can use maybe a mj400 and some 1/2 tubing and pump the water into the tank.

Santa69 · 04/17/2007, 10:15 AM

I am also new to the hobby, but I have learned very quickly that those five gallon jugs get "old" real quick. I went to Lowes Hardware and bought a gasoline/kerosene type battery powered syphon hose and it has been wonderful.. My son also use's this method.....good luck...spend the few bucks and save your back

Jim

Sk8r · 04/17/2007, 10:22 AM

An 800 maxijet with a hose will help: drop it first into the tank with the hose going to the bucket, then reverse, to send new water to the tank. If it won't lift, raise your bucket closer to tank level and it will. If your 2 water areas are close in height a 400 can do it. You can also use this pump to mix the salt into the water. If you have inquisitive fish, put the safety cap on the intake.

Remember that a pump can siphon once the power is off.

And having an extension cord off-switch in your hand along with the pump hose is a good thing.

Remember to turn your autotopoff off while water changing.

drummereef · 04/17/2007, 10:27 AM

Yes, siphon the water out as you are. Use a small Maxi-Jet pump with some clear tubing to pump the water back into the tank.

04/17/2007, 09:55 AM	#1
jcoat Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 106	Is there an easier way to perform water changes? I currently perfrom water changes roughly once a week......and i am wondering if someone can help me out? I currently use a gravel vacuum to siphon the water out........about 5-7 gallons......with my premixed salt water in a 5 gallon bucket....i pour the new water intop the tank. however....i 5 gallon bucket isnt the easiest and lightest thing to pick up and pour nicely into a tank.....is there some sort of reverse siphoning device i can use to pump the new water back into the main tank??? Without have to lift the bucket above the tank to siphon it back in??? Can anyone recommend some alternatives please??? __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 50 lbs. of LR, Live Aragonite, one 900 MJ and one 1200 MJ, SS65 hang on skimmer

04/17/2007, 10:15 AM	#3
Santa69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 31	waterchange I am also new to the hobby, but I have learned very quickly that those five gallon jugs get "old" real quick. I went to Lowes Hardware and bought a gasoline/kerosene type battery powered syphon hose and it has been wonderful.. My son also use's this method.....good luck...spend the few bucks and save your back Jim

04/17/2007, 10:22 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	An 800 maxijet with a hose will help: drop it first into the tank with the hose going to the bucket, then reverse, to send new water to the tank. If it won't lift, raise your bucket closer to tank level and it will. If your 2 water areas are close in height a 400 can do it. You can also use this pump to mix the salt into the water. If you have inquisitive fish, put the safety cap on the intake. Remember that a pump can siphon once the power is off. And having an extension cord off-switch in your hand along with the pump hose is a good thing. Remember to turn your autotopoff off while water changing. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/17/2007, 10:27 AM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Yes, siphon the water out as you are. Use a small Maxi-Jet pump with some clear tubing to pump the water back into the tank. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/17/2007, 10:09 AM	#2
eaj43081 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: columbus, ohio Posts: 67	I drop an old pitcher into the 5 gallon bucket. It easier and lighter to pour the water in the tank. If you wanted you can use maybe a mj400 and some 1/2 tubing and pump the water into the tank.