Topic: Water changes

[sk8boarder]

When I had fish in a 10 gallon I took the fish out, use the vacuum to clean and take the water out, put water in, use the water conditioner, and then put the fish back in. Now with the 55 gallon there's more fish and it will hard to catch the fish. Is it ok to take water out, put water in, and then use the water conditioner while the fish are in the tank? I take the fish out when I had them in a ten gallon so they won't be harmed by the tap water.

[RinsMom]

Are you using buckets to fill the tank?  If so, add the appropriate amount of declorinator to the water in the bucket.  Just figure out how much is needed for the size bucket you are using.

Some people, if they are using a python, add the declorinator when the start refilling the tank...   that is how I do it, and I haven't had problems that I've noticed with that method, although I will admit, one of my fish ended up dead the day after a 25% or more change... I don't know if he got in the water stream, or what might have happened.

With my water garden out back, when I add water, I just add the declorinator and then start adding from the garden hose.  I never know how many fish I have in there, so again, I don't know if it has harmed the fish by doing that.

[LittlePuff]

You don't take the fish out and do entire water changes when you do your weekly water changes. Get a siphon and a bucket. Vacuum the gunk out of the gravel with the siphon, you'll only need to change about 25% of the water if you do it weekly. Afterwords, mix your tap water with conditioner in the bucket to replace the water you took out to put back in the tank.

[oddball808]

indeed. there is no need to remove the fish.

use your python to vacuum the tank, and remove the amount of water youre changing (25-30%). add the dechlor to the tank directly, and fill the tank with a hose.
quick and easy

[wendyjo]

Yep - what they said ^  I imagine taking the fish out like that would be very stressful to them.

You should invest in a Python now that you have a 55g.  It will make your life much much easier.

[sk8boarder]

What's the difference between a Python and other vacuums?

[RinsMom]

A python is really neat, in that it hooks up to the faucet (has a very long hose) and uses the pressure of the water from the faucet to suck the water out of the tank.  When you are finished removing water, just flip a switch and it puts fresh water (from the tap) into the tank.  No more hauling buckets!  A wonderful idea, especially for large tanks.

Here's a series of how to use a python .... online video tutorial.  I didn't watch the entire thing... I know the first video is on how to hook it up to the faucet, and the difference between sucking out the water, and putting it in. 

There are a couple of different brands...  my Python faucet connector broke, so I ended up getting a replacement head for a different system, and I really prefer that hook-up.. more durable.  I just don't remember what the name of it was.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4439093_using-python-hose-drain-water.html

The standard gravel vacuum just goes from the fish tank into a bucket, and you have to start the suction yourself....

[wendyjo]

I use the Lees brand version of the Python - it's a bit cheaper and works great.

[Cholly]

Whichever version, I highly recommend them. Both work well, and my back is much happier. Especially since I have well in excess of 100 gallons between 4 tanks now.

[sk8boarder]

So I put enough water conditioner for 55 gallons in and then put water back with the Python?