Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Every month or so, i know your supposed to empty out the water in the tank, and give it a fresh start. I had been using a wet/dry vac i got at home depot, but everytime i use it, it backs up and i get turtle water all over the floor. I was wondering what other methods people use to empty out their tank. Oh, i have a 55 gal. Thanks

Adam

I have 2 different methods. For a full empty out, which is actually 75%, by leaving 4" of water in the tank I avoid having to reprime my filters. I use an electric submersible pump with a 25'hose attached. In the summer the hose goes out the window and into my main drain. In the winter the hose goes to the laundry tub in the next room. The pump sucks out dirt and water. Then I remove the pump and attach the hose to laundry tub faucet to refill. I use 2" spring clamps to keep the hose attached to the tank and the tub, so there's no spillage.
Method 2; A 5 gallon pail and 8' of soft tubing attached to a 2' piece of hard tubing. I clamp the soft tubing to the pail, start the siphon and just run around the tank sucking up the dirt off the bottom with hard tube. I get most of the dirt within a few minutes, dump the pail and refill the tank with the same pail.
Quick and easy.
Bob, Philadelphia.

Pick up a "python water changer". You hook it up to your sink, turn on the water, and it sucks out your aquarium water. It has a gravel vacuuming tube as well, and you can then reverse the flow when finished to fill the aquarium straight from the tap. Wonderful invention.

In warm weather I put it through the window and use the outflow to water plants, gardens, whatever.