Habitat - Indoor :: bigger tank...

[nicole101294]

i have always wanted to move them to a bigger tank, but i have a problem is that how can i change the water with this huge tank?

[megcornell]

I moved this topic to indoor habitats.

The easiest way to change a large amount of water is to use a python. Its a siphon that hooks up to a faucet and uses water pressure to add or remove water from a tank. They are a little pricey but very worth it.

[emma]

Yeah pythons are the best. I have one for my 55 gallon tank and it takes me only like 10 minutes to take out 1/2 the water and put 1/2 back in. Its great!

[RES4ever]

I have one that my dad made. It isn't that hard. You could probably find how to make one online.

[nicole101294]

how does a python look like? do you think i can buy it in Hong Kong?

[snazzy]

I couldn't find a 'real' python in Dubai - I could only find a regular fish tank cleaner kit that has maybe a meter of hose on it.

I made my own using this kit and a standard garden hose with some standard hardware. I hooked up a spigot to my bidet and bought a garden hose to attach to it. To drain the tank, I put the hose in the tank and turn on the water from the tap. This basically primes the hose. Once no more air is coming from the hose, I turn off the water, making sure to keep the end of the hose that is in the tank below the surface of the water. I attach the fish cleaner kit (this is basically a larger, rigid bit of plastic pipe with an internal screen to prevent the fish/turtles from getting sucked in - it also has a check valve to keep the water flowing only from the tank rather than the other way - for me this is annoying because I need the water to flow both ways - so that is why I don't put this part on until now). Anyway, once everything is attached I remove the hose from the spigot and put that end in the drain hole of the bidet - since the hose was primed (and the bidet drain is lower than the fish tank) it will siphon off very easily. Clean as usual, I make sure to empty out the hose completely from the tank to the bidet - otherwise turtle waste would be refilled into the tank. Then re-attach the hose to the tap to refill.

Okay, now here is my question for python (or its bastard children as I have) users....how do you (or do you bother?) add water conditioner? Do you add after you drain the tank but before you refill? I guess that would be most logical but I wasn't sure it was effective as it no longer has time to sit in a bucket, etc. before the water is added to the tank.

[steve]

Most people will add it soon after filling the tank and before turning on the filter (or before bio media is placed back in). Most people say that the conditioner works within minutes and some like myself, are not using any bio media/conditioner at all.

[nicole101294]

is it something like this:

[snazzy]

no but you might get it to work. Here is a picture of what mine (sort of) looks like.

http://www.petsmart.com/graphics/produc ... 35t400.jpg

That isn't my brand/color,etc (this is actually a python - I am so jealous) - but the part that is in the water is what I am speaking of. My no-name cheapy, the only thing available here, came with a hose that was only a meter long - not long enough to get to a sink like hers in the picture is. Anyway, to make it more useful, I attached a regular garden hose to the end near where her hand is. Had to get the right sized hose - I just brought that vacuum part to the hardware store and found one that would fit.

If you look closely at the picture she has it connected to her faucet - I do that too - although given that turtles have salmonella - I wouldn't use the sink! If you look at your sink (or better yet a bidet or bathtub) it probably has a screwed in screen thingy where the water comes out. Remove that and take it with you to the hardware store and tell them you want something that can replace that and have hose capability. If I found it here in the desert, I am sure you could find it in Hong Kong!

(of course, before you go off and try to re-invent the wheel - look for the original too - maybe you will get lucky and just be able to buy a real python - I would be so envious!!)

[TheComputerGremlin]

You know, one of those wet/dry vacuums that you use in your garage would probably work also. I think most of those hold a good number of gallons and it would suck the water out. I think there is also a reverse, so if you use the vacuum only for turtle water, you could just fill up the vacuum with good water and reverse it. Otherwise, I'd just check on ebay ... Like check with this seller ([url]http://cgi.ebay.com/Python-No-Spill-Clean-Fill-Kit-25ft-Aquarium-Vac_W0QQitemZ300218728025QQihZ020QQcategoryZ20756QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[url]) and see if they'll ship to you for an extra cost.

[marisa]

I have a wet/dry vac and use it when I remove the water completely from the tank (it has to be emptied a few times in the process). The only reverse I've noticed is the blower function for drying wet areas, for which the hose has to be attached to a different area on the vac.

[SpotsMama]

I have a python and use it like a plain syphon with a very long hose to drain Spot's tank. It drains out the back door into the yard. I don't care for draining all that dirty turtle water into the kitchen sink, and don't care for wasting all the treated water that it takes to drain a tank.

However, when refilling the tank, I hook the python up to the faucet in the kitchen sink and use it like it's designed. It works real well for refilling.

[nicole101294]

thx, i will try looking for one in the coming weekend.

[shellie0474]

I never thought about using a wet/dry vac to clean out the tank. I will try in tomorrow and see how it works.