Best way to clean tank?

I have a 10 gallon and will soon have a 55g. It takes me about 30 minutes to do a water change on the 10g. Am I missing something?! This is what I do:

I test my water's pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. I log those in my book. I then go fill up a 5 gallon bucket with water and treat it with Prime. Next, I siphon out my 10 gallon. Usually 30-40% weekly. I then have to scoop water from my 5 gallon bucket into my tank. I tried to reverse siphon from the bucket to the tank, but blew the siphon apart because of the pressure. I forgot I would have to have the bucket above the aquarium for that to work.

I know the 55 gallon will take much longer. Any tips on how to speed this up? Thanks!

 

I'm afraid that cleaning a tank can be a long process. It takes me about an hour to do my 40 gallon, 10 gallon and 30 gallon.

What sort of siphon do you use?

 

A python water changer will make a water change on a 55 gallon take about 15 minutes! Look into them! I don't know how I lived without it!

 

Totally agree on this. It takes a little while to get used to (or maybe that's just me), but you cannot expect yourself to do weekly 30-40% water changes on a 55 gallon without it.

 

Not necessarily. I do 40-50% weekly changes on my 55 gal with no Python. I use the siphon and bucket method. I like to have more control of the water going in and out of my tank.

 

I'm afraid that cleaning a tank can be a long process. It takes me about an hour to do my 40 gallon, 10 gallon and 30 gallon.

What sort of siphon do you use?

I use a regular gravel vacuum with a bulb that you squeeze to start the suction. It is made for a 10 gallon so I will need a larger one for the 55g. I will have to look into a python.

 

Not necessarily. I do 40-50% weekly changes on my 55 gal with no Python. I use the siphon and bucket method. I like to have more control of the water going in and out of my tank.

How do you easily put the treated water from your bucket into the tank?

 

I pour it.

 

Not necessarily. I do 40-50% weekly changes on my 55 gal with no Python. I use the siphon and bucket method. I like to have more control of the water going in and out of my tank.

How do you easily put the treated water from your bucket into the tank?

 

Not necessarily. I do 40-50% weekly changes on my 55 gal with no Python. I use the siphon and bucket method. I like to have more control of the water going in and out of my tank.

That requires a lot of self-motivation, I know for me it was a total chore to do my 20 gallon without a Python. If the OP wants a shorter time for water changes, I would honestly just go for the Python. I would say setup takes 5min, water change takes 15min, and takedown takes 3min.

 

A python water changer will make a water change on a 55 gallon take about 15 minutes! Look into them! I don't know how I lived without it!

Not if your tap is chlorinated

I can't wait to get a python this Christmas (luckily my tap has no chlorine). It takes my 2 hours to do a deep gravel vacuum with a 50% change every week.

 

Not if your tap is chlorinated

I can't wait to get a python this Christmas (luckily my tap has no chlorine). It takes my 2 hours to do a deep gravel vacuum with a 50% change every week.

How can I tell if my water is chlorinated? Call the water company? I am sure my water has chlorine since it is city water.

 

Not if your tap is chlorinated

My tap has chlorine ...what does that have to do with the time it takes to do a water change?

 

My tap has chlorine ...what does that have to do with the time it takes to do a water change?

If your using a python, you can't directly refill your tank from the tap without treating it.

 

How can I tell if my water is chlorinated? Call the water company? I am sure my water has chlorine since it is city water.

The smell of bleach in the water, or a simple test you can get from a pool supply store. When in doubt treat the water.

 

Definitely don't go by the smell test alone. Get it tested for chlorine or chloramines.

 

You can definitely add the tap water right into the tank. That's how I do it with my Aqueon water changer. I remove about 30% of the water, add my dechlorinator for the total volume of water in my tank (75G), then add the water straight from the tap.

 

Mines a 75 I can't wait to get one. 5 gallons at a time is a pain.

 

Thanks. I will look into the python and aqueon water changer. Does it fit on any sink faucet??

Also, how do ya'll make sure the temperature of your new water is the same as the tank water? Do you have a certain thermometer? Tight now I am judging by the feel on my hands which I know is not accurate at all!! I have actually done pretty well because the temperature in my rank never moves or goes up 2 degrees for a while. I need a better method!!!

 

Depends on your sink faucet. Mine didnt fit so I had to buy an adaptor for it since the one they supplied didnt fit and now I do my water changes in about 15-20 mins on my 75g.

To match the temperature, I just run the water for a while to make sure its steady and not changing in temp, then I just use my fingers to measure if the temps are similar. Your finger tips are one of the most sensative part of the body so it easier to tell if the temp is similar. With bigger tanks, it doesn't really matter much if you're a couple of degrees off because with such a big volume of water, there isn't much of a temp flux

 

This thread is gonna get me in trouble with my wife. She's gonna get me one for Christmas, but I don't think I can wait 4 months.

 

If your using a python, you can't directly refill your tank from the tap without treating it.

I directly fill all of my tanks from the tap. You just have to treat the full volume of the tank with prime/dechlorinator rather than just the amount of water added. I have two 55s, a 46, two 29s, two 20s and now a 75 all of which I clean with the python. The water goes directly into the tank from the tap and I have done it this way for over a year.

A very large number of people who use the python have chlorine in their water and they don't have any problem putting water from the tap directly into the tank (as long as the full tank is treated). I know there are people who choose not to do it that way just to be safe. But....I would guess a majority of people using the python are using it for it's full purpose...... to not only drain the tank, but fill the tank back up as well....

 

This thread is gonna get me in trouble with my wife. She's gonna get me one for Christmas, but I don't think I can wait 4 months.

With a 75 gallon tank......I don't know how you have even waited this long!! LOL That is a HUGE chore without a python!

I wouldn't be able to do it.....I suggest you and your wife exchange one Christmas gift early Point out to her how much more time you will have for other things since you will be saving a couple hours a week on water changes!

 

I directly fill all of my tanks from the tap. You just have to treat the full volume of the tank with prime/dechlorinator rather than just the amount of water added. I have two 55s, a 46, two 29s, two 20s and now a 75 all of which I clean with the python. The water goes directly into the tank from the tap and I have done it this way for over a year.

A very large number of people who use the python have chlorine in their water and they don't have any problem putting water from the tap directly into the tank (as long as the full tank is treated). I know there are people who choose not to do it that way just to be safe. But....I would guess a majority of people using the python are using it for it's full purpose...... to not only drain the tank, but fill the tank back up as well....

Would I put Prime in the tank before adding the water back in with the python? Or after?

My birthday is coming up next month so maybe I will ask for a python. Haha.

 

Would I put Prime in the tank before adding the water back in with the python? Or after?

My birthday is coming up next month so maybe I will ask for a python. Haha.

I put the Prime in at the same time that the water is going in.

A python would definitely make a great birthday present