2:10 thank me later

LINKS: EcoPlus Submersible Pump: amzn.to/2rKurOv Python No Spill Clean and Fill System: amzn.to/2rIjfTv Python Snap Connector: amzn.to/2rKnP2U Also some have asked about cleaning out waste. Most of the time I use this: amzn.to/2rJUiHf Full list of equipment recommendations here: kit.co/stevepoland/aquarium-gear/

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.

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

Just have kids to carry the buckets they are tax deductible Or my outside garden hose fills and empty’s while I watch tv.

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.

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.

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.

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! :)

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

Great vide Steve, thanks for sharing! I have a similar method. Like VB Nautical mentioned, I use the python gravel vac in combo w/ a water change. I have a sump, so I vacuum the poopy water down to the sump return pump chamber, where I simultaneously pump the water to rain barrels outside with a long hose. In so cal, we have an epic drought going on, so water is expensive/ precious. I use the poopy fish water from my rain barrel to water my garden. I had the most awesome figs this year all thanks to poopy fish water, ha.

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.

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

I just use the aqueon hose but when my garden is going i put the house out the window and water my plants at the same time. i put a net and a rubber band over the gravel vac head.

I tried this before I even saw this video on my 75,90 and 220 gallon tanks,.... not much faster than draining with a syphon.... I'm thinking of trying a sump pump 👍

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.

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

great idea. alternatively, you can just use the dirty water to water the plants in the garden

That is a beautiful aquarium, thanks for the tips!

As a fellow Cichlid-keeper, it's good to find another that thinks alike... especially when it comes to tank maintenance. I too use that model pump to drain my 20-gal... but rely on a different method for my 40-gal: Having installed quick-connects and a diverter valve on the return hose of my system, I just flip a few valves and allow my API XP4 to pump the waste-water out a nearby window via a short hose. Meanwhile, I connect a collapsing hose w/quick-connect to the nearest sink, get the water temperature right & just close the ball-valve on the other end. When the tank level drops low enough, I switch-off the canister via it's surge-protector, connect the fill hose to the return, flip the valves again then add all my chemicals as the tank refills. After that, it's just a quick flip of the valves to stop the refill and restore the system's flow-loop, then powering-up the canister again. BTW: I don't use brass Q-D fittings, as they tend to promote brown algae... but I DO use braided 7/8"-o.d./5/8"-i.d. clear-vinyl hose. It's kink-proof, won't collapse under heavy suction and withstands heavy clamping, like when garden-hose fittings are used.

I do about the same thing using an Ecoplus 396gph pump. Looks like the same pump you are using. I run a about an 8ft pc of garden hose out my window to my front lawn. Empties the water quicker. It looks like you can fill faster than you can drain. I am the exact opposite since I drain out a window. But during the winter I will have to run it to my sink. Great video! While I think python type systems are better than buckets nothing beats a submersible pump in my opinion.

I like it but if you do not have faucets to attach a python to them I've become quite partial to the PVC quick build method and prefilled treated and heated water barrel approach. Good video though!

I never knew water changes were expensive and I like doing it the old-fashioned way I actually think it's kind of fun

Brilliant! , Never thought of using pump as a vacuum, Just brilliant! 👏 👍

great info Steve. love the videos, very informative. keep it up. on side note, I visited the website and it was amazing. Bravo on all your doing for the hobby.

Great tip Steve, never thought to try this, save time and water...Perfect!

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.

IFG sent me over. Dude your channel rocks! Subbed.

Can you do a video on how to separate sand and gravel in your tank cause people like me I have sand and gravel in my tank and when I do water changes at times the gravel and sand gets mixed up and ruins my botton decor

any vids on how you connect python to pump step by step? im a bit confused on setup

When refilling the tank with water, roll up a microfiber towel and get it inside the vacuum tube to break up the bubbles, there by reducing the production of microbubbles.

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

My fluval fx4 allows me to hook a hose right up to the filter and it will drain my 75 gallon half way in around 5 to ten minutes

I have a 55 with a drip system off my water well with a timer set to 2G/hour/4H/D/7D making 56 gallons every week. It works great never carry a bucket again. I did have to install a heater for a 125G tank to keep the water at 78. My water is a constant 56 degrees all year out of the well. The water has .005PPM TDS with a PH at 7.2 PH. I use the Caribe Sea African Cichlid sand. The PH is a solid 7.8 PH. I have a drain that siphons off of the 1.5" top level then drains back to my basement. It works great. I have been keeping fish for years and hated the water changes but no more.

Sir, you just save me 1 hour and 30 minutes 👍👍👍👍👍

Nice tank. Do you or anyone else know where I can get a nice looking good quality tank and stand from?

Good episode Steve. After getting a python, I would never go back to buckets!!!

were you stoned in this video? your eyes were red lol.

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.

Thanks for the idea, I have a pond submersible pump, never thought about using it.

I love this idea and method. I got lazy switching from the gravel vac to connect to the pump. but overall a great way to save money!

Couldn't imagine doing 50% water changes every week with my 90s

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?

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?

I think this is my new method! Thank you! So much faster.

A free way to save water for those without a submersible pump is to use the faucet to start the python but then turn the faucet off. It won't save you time, but it will be cheaper than letting the faucet run for suction. The pump is a great idea because you'll get the nice suction for vacuuming the gravel. I currently don't have a pump but I have a python. Thanks for the tip!

Clever idea to use the pump if you only want to change water and not clean substrate

Love the rocks/stones you have. Can you give me a website where I can purchase same type?? Thnx

When you hook up to tap how do you know what temp it's at? I'm going getting German blue rams and I live in Ireland so the tap eater is extremely cold

Steve Where I am in Scotland there is no shortage of water: we have a standing charge but no meter. However, I use pump to drain the tank on to the rose beds at the front of my house, then I use a Python system to fill it. However, I have to use the Python sand cleaner.

How do u keep the ph the same

Great video Steve, and thanks much for the information

I really don't get it how you drain your tank water connecting the Python to the tap.

My Python killed fish several times changing the water this way. I was told to invert the gravel syphon tube, and pour the declorinator into that. Fish stopped dying on water changes. Hope it helps.

that's amazing... I'm new to having an aquarium and I've been removing my African cichlids, Shark and algae eater every feeding..So glad I saw this

I would love to have this but unfortunately my water heater is really inconsistent with temperature. I bought a 45 gal tub from Fred Meyer with wheels and I pull the sob to the tank to get the temp right and put my dechlorinator in then use the pump method. Works well with my 75 gal as I do 50% every week since I fertilize heavily which is about 39.5 gals so it does the job! I run my hose outside to the shrubbery so at least water doesnt go to waste.

what about the temprature of the new 50 % of water ?

very convincing method, I did not know about the powdered prime either

When I add water back in I attach a shower filter it claims (to PURIFIES YOUR WATER - Removes Chlorine, heavy metals (lead, mercury, nickel, chromium), bacteria, pesticides, and inhibits the growth of scale, algae, fungi, and mold. I use sachem prime in the tank also also.

wait when do you put the dechlorinator in the tap water?

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?

Very helpful 👌🏾

you can hook the pump inline near the sink. prime it with the faucet suction, plug it and turn off the faucet. Then unplug the pump when filling. then you can use the gravel cleaner while using the pumpto suck out the water. Also i feel its better to use the "safe" after you fill about halfway.

I learned to run a hose out the back of the balcony.

Set up an automatic water change system using a calibrated drip feed at a rate of your liking, and then build a leveling siphon to draw off to a drain. The leveling siphon is simple to build and it maintains the water level you choose at all times. I have all my tanks on this system and I never have to change water on my own. Totally hands free.

I have a small pump for a 40 gallon tank does it matter the size of the pump

What is the pump called? I would like to not waste water. I have a 75 gallon tank

Do you add any other chemicals during your water changes or just Prime and thats it?

what was the water temp of the water you put in? Wouldnt be a shock to the fish if it was cold water?

I'm doing the buckets, and bubble stones in the bucket, and also running it thru the filter awhile.

Can I change full water in aquarium if i use quick start..please reply

How do you know if the water is way too hot or way too cold when you are adding it to the tank?? If you fill up buckets the temperature can be checked and adjusted to the existing tank water so the fish are NOT SHOCKED by the temperature change.

How does this save water in comparison with the bucket method? After all the water change is still 50%. It's way less time consuming but I don't get it how you save water.

Draining from the purge valve on the fx6 is also pretty quick plus you can leave the valve open when your filling to flush the tank to near 100%

Hey Steve, great video I was considering the python no spill or the Aqueon option. Can you tell me what light you have on your tank? your water is impeccable. Share your secrets

Is it ok to fill up the tank that way with tap water?

I do like to collect the old water in a bucket to water my potted plants and vegetables with. Other than that, I do love the python to fill my tank back up again.

If I have tropical fish, and use water from my hose and carry it into a bucket, I take my fish out and put them somewhere, but since they’re tropical, the hose water is cold, so it would take a while to heat up, would it? Help please ;(

I use the bucket method to clean gravel etc...then a tool like yours to fill.

How does the water goes to waste? I do the water changes and the only waste i got is when i spill some drops into the floor. Besides (and correct me if im wrong) The declorinator doesent reacts instantaneously, so there would be some chlorine in the tank for a couple hours, not counting that the hot water contains copper that may be poisonous to the fish.

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?

I use this same exact method but I'm not sure why you go thru the trouble of removing the pump and switching to the gravel vac to fill? You can fill your tank strait thru the pump

Thanks for always sharing good tips. When you feel up the dont heve any problem with chlorine even use the anti chlorine atvsame time. Im always scare to do direct, but much more easy you way. Im still do water change from big bucket. Takes long time. Thanks for information.. 😉 👍 Regards

After taking water out from the tank, is it safe to pour the tap water straight into the tank and then add seachem prime, or should I put the tap water into a bucket, condition it with prime and then finally move to my tank? Thanks.

When/how do you de chlorinate the tap water?

Game. Changer. Thank you.

how did you get the siphon tube off. it seems like it's glue on. do you have to cut it off, take off the glue rubber off the siphon and just attach it?

Without siphon you water change?

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?

I am having some issues with my water. So I tested my 60 gallon fish tank and everything is good. I have a canister and a regular filter in my tank. But now I'm having issues with my water where it's now a little bit cloudy. What can I do without messing up the balance in the tank right now? I wonder really appreciate the help on some ideas. I have south and North Africa cichlids. Thank you

What do you mean by you run the water until it reaches the right temperature? You use a mixture of hot and cold and fill directly? I thought it was harmful to the fish to do this. Asking because I’ve been filling gallon jugs and letting them naturally get to room temp - I didn’t know I could use heated water.

Thanks for the tutorial. Is it freshwater or saltwater aquarium?

Great looking tank, and nice way to do a partial. Subbed...

i love the pump,me too hate wasting all the water with the python.only thing missing is the vacuum of the sand,when do you do that?

I don't understand water changes thou 😟 the water added isnt at the adequate temperature the fish need nor isn't treated with aqua safe. Does that even matter?

Wow amazing! Thanks for posting.

What about the chlorine from the water

Do you use tap water

Can I ask, after doing the water changes did you put a dechlorinator, If yes then what kind?, Prime,Safe or maybe other?

What size pump should I get for a 6 foot long 125 gallon aquarium?