How to Do Faster, Easier, and Cheaper Aquarium Water Changes

Showing you a few pieces of equipment that I use to speed up the partial water changes on my aquariums and waste less water in the process.

EcoPlus Submersible Pump (affiliate link):

Python No Spill Clean and Fill System (affiliate link):

Python Snap Connector (affiliate link):

Aqueon Water Changer (affiliate link):

More equipment recommendations here:

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LET'S CONNECT!

[toddhollerson]

I always vacuum the gravel and the water goes out the window to a planted area that loves it. I do things a little unorthodox when it comes to filling the tank back up. I have a 25 gallon tub of water that I keep in a closet near the tank. I keep that water at the same parameters as what is in my tank including temperature. I use a fountain pump to pump the water from the tub to the tank. Then I fill the tub and add the water treatments so it's ready for next time. My tap water is treated with Chloramine so it has to be corrected prior to putting it in the tank. I do a 25% water change about every 3 weeks. The water is always super clear and I have not had any spikes in PH, ammonia, nitrites or nitrates since I have been doing this. The entire water change takes about 15 minutes for my 90 gallon.

[countvertigo]

With the kind of music at the background, I feel like I'm watching a bank heist in action..

[seanhaney]

I have a hose and a floor drain for emptying and a 50ft garden hose hooked up to a shop sink that comes from my well water. No contaminates and fills up at 78* when I mix hot and cold. I change 150 gallons out of 3 tanks every friday in the time it takes to drink 2 beers.

I use plastic clamps from Home Depot to hold the hose in place so it doesn't flop out.

I fill the first tank while the second is emptying and go right down the line of tanks. It works out pretty well and I haven't been hating water changes as much.

Happy fish keeping! :)

[albertramsay]

I do the same for draining the tank but for refilling I put a large bucket into the bath have the water running at the correct temp them use the pump to top the tank back up.
You should get one of those clip on U bends for the hose they also have a little G clamp built into them so they won't let the hose jump out of the tank. I got mine from e bay for a few £s very helpful little thing.

[mfehmi]

For my 300 gallon tank I use a Mag Drive 24 Water Pump, which is 2, 400 GPH and I attached to it a 25’, 1 1/4” sump pump hose. I empty 150 gallons in 5 minutes.
I add water to the tank with a garden hose.
I’ve been using this method for 4 years and I love it. It saves me a lot of time.

[frankb]

so you pump "tap water" straight into your tank? lol I use a small Brute can that I fill a few days ahead of time running air stones. then use the pump at the other end to fill.

[tonycanniffe]

Great vid Steve. I have a 20mm (20 metre) hose. Drains very fast but I have fall from the house to the garden. I jam the top bit of a 3 litre juice bottle over the end and can use this as a vacuum if needed. Then fill from the sink with a 12mm hose fitted to a big pvc T that has a snap connector and spreads the water as it fills. The eheim battery vac is great but can cloud the water a bit as it picks up waste. I still use it depending on the tank. It's best for planted tanks to give a gentle vac.

[getoffyourbassandletsfish]

Just have kids to carry the buckets they are tax deductible

Or my outside garden hose fills and empty’s while I watch tv.

[cablenetworksystems]

I am thinking about installing valve in inlet pipe and submersible pump fixed with outlet with a timer. so say the pump will run for 4 min and simultaneously the fresh water will come when the floter valve drops its level... hah what you say?

[dakopix]

If I have a bathroom sink near my room where the tank is, can I just take a clean garden hose and attach it to the faucet and snake it to the tank? Would I have to put the chemicals that I use (ph decrease and some slime replacement) into the hose before I turn it on? or after the water is in the tank?

[Ceeraye]

I like how you added the timer. I always time my self.

[biojohn]

It takes me less time to fill buckets and carry them i swear:))

[Bahadir.t]

So, I dont like to put any chemicals or extrats like you but it gives me back aches to carry water in 5liter bottles every time (the water waits in bottles for few days before put into the aquarium, but hey that's another issue to fill them up) what can I do or should I do if I don't want to add water directly from the tap?

[thomasdamon]

Great video Steve . saving all that water is really important .especially for people who have pay for there water . I had a 55 gallon .years ago .with hose and 5 gallon bucket . I did a 50% water change everyweek .and carrying all that water back and forth is hard on the back .so I hear you .God bless.

[amandashaw]

i've noticed you have a fluval FX5 or FX6 on your tank, the filter has a drain valve on it to make water changes easy, put the pipe on the drain valve, take out the required amount of water then fill the tank up with the syphon python

[AccessDenied]

I would like to vacuum at the same time with the pump on. Can it be done? I like to gravel vacuum everytime I change water.

[stevenmills]

Good video I have to empty my tank with buckets every time I add tap water I add water conditioner bout half a spoon full half of 5ml for every. 10litres if water so I have a 10 litre bucket fill it up then add my 2.5 water conditioner we’re as u only put on lot in?how do you have your water crystals clear?mine has bits floating round never see thru like yours?how do I have clear water?

[EduardoMartinezedgy]

Question- so what do you do to clean your substrate during your water change?

[NewAquariumHobby]

Dear well done, I also have 90 gal tank with 15 cichlid & nearly 50 fries of 1 inch size in breeding net hanged in same tank, I am facing problem of low oxygen in tank for that I have added 5 air stones in tank & one wave maker for cleaning sand substrate also for oxygenating water but still I saw my fishes some time taking fast breath specially after feed. But u did, t have a single air stone in tank also no wave maker then plz tell me how u add oxygen in water. Plz guide me what can be the problem in my tank, 1 point this issue starts from last month when I changed substrate from gravel to sand before with gravel there was no issue of low oxygen only 3 air stone used no wave maker. Now some time fishes looks OK but again start fast breathing also stay on air bubbles.

[busa]

I have a smaller 20 gallon. I just do 25 to 30% once a week. I use a small pump and fill up a home depot 5 gallon bucket. Takes like 15 minutes. Most the time is spent filling the bucket. I'm still cycling the tank so I have done any gravel cleaning. Trying to get my ammonia levels up. Once my tank is cycled how often do you guys clean gravel?