Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 20 gallon tank and I'm about to move to a larger one....75, maybe 90 gallons. I do a thourough tank cleaning once every week or two (take all water out and rinse/scrub with hot water). I have heard people talk about some contraption to take the water out of the tank. I was wondering what this was. I think I've seen these in the pet stores. Are they a big clear tube with plastic 'levers' (i didn't look too closely)? The one I saw was $50. Surely there is something similar to this that is cheaper. Anyone know what these are or have any advice/experience using them? Is there somewhere that I can find a cheaper one? I am upgrading to a much larger tank and I have to buy filters, rocks, lights, heatlamps, gravel, ect.

A simple siphon would work, they are basically just a plastic tube, and cost a few dollars. They are a little harder to get started than a python, but effective. They are usually sold as fish tank vacuums. In a big tank if you have a proper filter like a fluval 404 canister filter you shouldn't need to change the water very often. I empty my tank and clean it completely about once a year, the rest of the time I just add more water. I have to clean the filter about every 3 months. My turtles have never had a single health problem and the water is always crystal clear.
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Yup, I think you are talking about a siphon. You can get them at Petco or Petsmart and their costs vary. I got mine for about 8 dollars and I have a 55 gallon tank. You first have to start a vaccum in the siphon and then it will do all of the work for you. It takes about 10-15 mins to completely empty my 55 gallon tank using the smaller siphon I purchased. You can always get the fancy ones that have a built in pump but I was willing to do the elbow grease and got the cheaper one. Have fun shopping for you bigger tank!
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1 Dog ~Charmin~
1 RES ~Loquat~

The contraption is called a Water Python. Check out thatpetplace.com for info. and to buy it if you wish.

Also you should not have to break down your tank so constantly if you allow it cycle properly and keep filtered.

I have a 79 gallon turtle tank that I have not broken down completely in over two years because it a cycled environment. I just clean the filters when they get dirty and to partial water changes once week being sure to use a gravel cleaning syphon to remove settled waste from the water. Then I just use a algae scraping sponge to keep the algae off the glass. My tank has 0 ammonia and a neutral PH and is crystal clear.

Just go on line and type in Cycling an aquarium and it should give you an entire explanation of the process.

Steve

You're thinking of a Python siphon. IMO, they are worth their weight in gold. You'll never need another bucket to do a water change. You can order directly at http://pythonproducts.com/

I've had a 50ft Python for four years, to clean my 55 tank with caecilians, and have only had to replace a connection piece to it, so they are durable and you get your money's worth.

I've heard of people attaching a canister filter in-take tube to an undergravel filter for extra filtration, if that helps.

Katrina

agreed... this is the best tool ive ever purchaced for all my Marine, freshwater, and reptile tanks...

also i would not recomend taking out more then 20% of your water in a 2 week period. and only take that much if the water really needs it. let your tank cycle for about a month with minor 5-10% water changes at the most every 2 weeks. it will allow benifical bacteria to grow and help keep nitrates and ammonia in check.

how large is your tank? in my 55gal setups i use penguin330 filters w/ bio wheels