Some very common questions repeated on this forum are:
Are there any easy ways to change water from our aquariums?
How do I clean my substrate?
Which water conditioners should be used?
Aqueon, Python and a few other brands manufacture a water changer system that attaches to your faucet. Many users on this forum find these water changer tools to be very effective time saving devices and are often highly recommended in many threads. In addition to changing water, these tools also serve as an aquarium vacuum making substrate cleaning a very easy chore.
It is best to not use any water conditioning chemicals. Most water conditioners (not all) contain a chemical called sodium theosulfate which is highly toxic to aquatic life according to the MSDS sheet. Our turtles drink the water they live in so the less chemicals in the environment the better. Without the use of water conditioning chemicals, we can achieve the same desired result of removing chlorine and chloramine from tap water by passing the water through a carbon filter. The use of carbon filtration does not add any chemicals to the habitat of our friends.
The following plan integrates both water changer and tap water filter into a single device.
Parts List
QTY 1 needed: Aqueon or Python Brand water changer
QTY 1 needed: Filter Body w/ bypass valve & Carbon Filter
QTY 2 needed: 3/4" MIP x 5/8" barb
QTY 2 needed: Hose Clamp
Assembly (5 minutes)
- Install the carbon filter into the filter housing according to the directions that come with the filter housing
- Screw one hose barb adapter into each of the two ports on the filter housing. Teflon tape might be needed on the hose barb threads for a water-tight seal.
- Assemble the Aqueon or Python water changer according to the directions that come with the water changer.
- Cut the water changer tubing about a foot from the end where the water changer system attaches to the faucet.
- Slide the end of the tubing coming from the water changer faucet feed over the hose barb on the IN port of the filter housing.
- Slide the other end of the tubing going toward the fill/vacuum wand over the hose barb on the OUT side of the filter housing.
- Attach and tighten hose clamps to help hold the hose secure to the hose barbs.
Usage
- When filling tank, position the valve atop the filter body to allow water to pass through the carbon filter media. This will filter incoming tap water for chlorine, chloramine, minerals, and other sediment.
- When removing water from tank, position the valve atop the filter body to "bypass" so that dirty water leaving the tank does not enter the filter body and is returned directly to your drain.
Parts
Whole house water filter with integrated bypass valve (shown with carbon filter removed from filter body)
Hose Barb to MIP adapter
Water Changer System
Hose Clamps.