DIY Very Simple Water Change System. NO Drilling Tanks!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 พ.ค. 2020
- In this video, I show you how I DIY a very simple to make Water Change System for my fish tank racks. It is made from Irrigation fittings which can be obtained at most hardwares or Irrigation suppliers.
It only took me a few hours to make for this rack and works using gravity to drain the tanks and then the pressure from the pump connected to the IBC water tank to fill the tanks.
Very simple and easy for anyone to make and use.
Thanks for watching.
Tim.
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My videos are made on my Samsung S6 & S8 mobile phones, usually with the S6 on my DIY made stand which you can see in a previous video I made.
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Genius!! This man is living in the year 3000! I'm definitely giving this a go.
Best yet
Yeah this is definitely happening in my fish room when I build it. Especially on the fish rack
only issue is you're going to contaminate all tanks if one of them has an issue...
@@AI3Dorinte correct. About a week after I commented this I decided against it. Everything is on their own. Makes it easy since my fish room is now more of a project with breeding more than anything. So each species is in their own tank.
That is incorrect there is no cross contamination at all. All tanks are drained and the lines are dry before water is pumped back into each tank. It is clean fresh water going into each tank starting at the lowest tank first and that was the last tank to be drained.
Thanks. Exactly what i was looking for and had in mind for my discus tank.
Very cool idea. Thank you!!
Great idea mate. Nice and simple
WOW simple and effective....thats awesome out of the box thinking. Awesome
whoa, extensive and creative. You did well brotha
Wow very nice idea. Thanks for sharing.
Really cool and Innovative
Cool idea... that Y fitting really the game changer..thanks for sharing the idea 👍
This is brilliant, I will be trying this out for sure.
Great video
this is brilliant.
Very nicely done, and lot more water efficient than a fully automatic drip and overflow system.
Great thinking
That deserves a THUMBS UP Tim 🤗🤗
Great video!
Thanks for sharing I'm setting up my fish room now and was wondering how I was going to do water changes.
This is the best, simple and most logical. You earned another subscription mate!
nice job
Very cool idea, want to try this. Never wanted to drill my tanks this will work fantastic. Goodbye Manuel water changes👍
I found it easy and makes water changes much less of a tiresome thing. I just open the valves and let the water flow and then turn on the opposing valve to fill them up again with the hose from the tank with a remote to start and stop the flow.
Nice to find another fellow Australian Fishtuber, I have almost the exact set up for syphoning, even the same materials.
That's Fairdinkum 😎
This is amazing mate! I really need to get something like this for my aquadcaping studio. I can then focus more on making content for my TH-cam channel instead of doing laborious water changes. Amazing
Thanks it's simple and effective.
I like things that are just simple and very well explained. Good job!
Thank you. I do try my best to make it simple and easy to follow for people.
especialy when its explained over and over again 😂
Hell yeah Thank you 😊
Genius!
Thanks
I like it!...U must heat your room so all your water is up to temp. I can't imagine your heating your storage holding tank. Great job. Simple n effective.
Thanks for your comment, each tank has its own heater and the storage tank is what is called an IBC 1000 ltr tank which has no heating it is just heated by the sun each day.
I heat my water change reservoir so it’s the same temp as the water in my fish tanks.
@@ZYGTropicals I leave it lower as it imitates rain/cooler water flow which is lower temp and then makes the BN, Plecos, and other fish to help induce them to spawn.
@@TimsBitsnPieces sometimes different water temps may get ick on fish, has to be substantial change but still possible to stress fish. i would prefer heater in the freshwater to even out the temps.
Лайкос однозначно 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤝🙋♂️🇺🇦
Great idea. What pump is that? Wonder if I can use that to drain my tanks as well.
It is just an impeller pump that I bought from the local hardware. I use normal fish tank pumps for draining my tanks when needed much easier to move about and not as big. You could just use a large hose and syphon it out much easier and fewer cables to worry about.
Love this setup it is great. Would it still work if you had multiple tanks per level on the rack ie 3 smaller tanks rather then 1 large 1? If so would you need a separate tap for each tank or just 1 per level if that makes sense.
Hey Bradley, you would need one set of piping per tank per row so then you can change and resupply the water to each tank and if you only wanted to do one specific tank you could do that instead of draining them all and then having to refill them all if that makes sense also.
Also wondering Bradley.
Why wouldn't it work for several in a line?
i really like your project, really good 👌. first question) which diameter size are the pipes-connectors? second question ) do you have any sump / external filtration or each aquarium works alone? 3) when you connect the pipes and elbows at the first time, how do create the first flow, take the out the air? fill water or suck the air?
Thanks. They are 19mm irrigation fittings. There is No sump. Each tank has its own filtration system of air sponge filters. Once the system is first connected I just filled each tank from the bottom tank first and then going upwards each tank is filled and thus creating the syphon for the next time I want to do a water change. It is very simple anyone can do it and there are no special tools required.
Awesome video Tim ..just what i was looking for!
1 Question though.. im wondering if this would work with PVC piping instead of the hose ? These irrigation fittings are a bit hard to find where i live.
Cheers!
There is no reason why it won't.. You just have to make sure that your joints are air tight so that no air gets into the piping or you will lose the suction.
This is well put together Tim! Are you using R/O water or well water, or tap water? Just a great idea!
Thanks. Just normal tap water here in Melbourne Australia.
This system is really smart, even if you break the syphon, you can just turn on the pump and purge the air in the system. Though, keeping the water still in the pipe is makes me uncomfortable since it may cause bacteria to grow there, but at least it is a clean water that being kept there, not the waste water.
bacteria grows in the tap water too
@@beatatarczon1402 i know, but they only grow if you don't use the tap water for quite some time. That's why parents usually tell you to purge some of the tap water first after you leave your home for quite some time.
This is awesome. What kind of pump? I can't find anything with a remote like that.
It is just a normal irrigation pump and I use remote controlled power point switches to control it... they plug into a power outlet and with the remote you turn the power on or off... I bought the pump and switch unit at Bunnings which is our big box hardware here in Australia.
@@TimsBitsnPieces thank you!
That’s great system. Thank you for sharing. Where do you buy the Y? Thank you
From my local hardware, all of the parts can also be obtained at an irrigation shop.
@@TimsBitsnPiecescan I get a list of all the part u used
Sorry I cant as I don't even have a list of what was used.. you will need T's L's hose flyscreen Y adapter and a fitting to join the Y adapter to the hose.. That's the best I can do and I got it all from my local hardware and most of it was in the garden watering section and sprinkler irrigation section.
Awesome,what size were the fittings?
The black fittings are 19mm irrigation fittings and the clear hose is 20mm all from Bunnings.
Very cool. Have you added a pump to drain it yet?
No, no need as it drains adequately for my needs.
Nice design 👍 have you had any problems with those green valves leaking?
Hi, I have had no issues with any part of the setup leaking at all since I set it all up over 3 years ago.
@@TimsBitsnPieces thank you 🙏
How did you cometo this idea this is brilliant!!
I just didn't want to drill holes in my tanks like others have done and thought about syphons etc..
@@TimsBitsnPieces it is a great invention so you maked me very happy
This is cool if you don't like lifting buckets, but still a lot more work than a comparable system with drains and drip lines.
It really wouldn't be that much more money/time to drill the tanks and plumb a system that truly handles water changes on it's own.
Thanks. I do not wish to drill holes in my tanks and possibly crack the glass when doing it and not everyone wants to buy second hand tanks that are drilled.. I certainly don't so this way is much better for all reasons.
What does the inside of the pipe look like after long term? Interested setting up new store and looking for best ideas for limited space.
Well, it looks the same as it is normally no change. I guess it would depend on a few factors, the type and quality of pipe you are using, how often you are using it, the quality of the water you are using, how much lighting and type in the area might affect it over time, etc etc.. I guess for a shop you would need to make the decisions for yourself which is better for the purpose needed.
You could make sleeves to slide over any exposed pipe and that will prevent any algae growth on the inside of the pipes.
That way you can still easily maintain the pipes too!
Nice idea mate. So is the keeping in ibc to try get some the chlorine to evaporate?
Yes it helps evaporate the chlorine, there isn't that much in my water supply here in Melbourne Australia but it helps and means less dechlorinater I need to use.
Tim Gay thanks I’m in wodonga so not too far from u . Thinking give ur idea ago. I’d prob just have to do from tap ibc wouldn’t hold enough for me to do a change my tanks are all 1000 l plus . I pump out at moment to try save bit time
@@cheveburkinshaw860 Yeah just siphon out and pump in easier to do that way. Thanks for the comment.
Check valve in the fresh supply line to prevent back flow or not worried about it?
Hi thanks for your comment, I don't worry about back flow as it won't happen. I have the incoming supply running from the pump which is controlled by a remote and that is usually in my hand and there are valves which you would have seen at the bottom for in and out flow, until you open one of these there is no flow at all.
I'm just about to set this system up. Do you have tanks side by side ? I'm curious if you could drain all 3 at once. Being stacked I think they would flood the lower ones though . Have you ever tried all 3 at once ?
Sorry but I do not have tanks side by side. I did try draining 2 at a time but the top one flowed out but also some of it was also draining into the lower tank as it was also draining, I find it much easier to just drain 1 at a time.
I can't seem to find barbed fitting like you have in any of my hardware or big box stores here in Louisiana, USA. Any online suggestions for somewhere to pick up the fittings?
Have you tried a search online for irrigation fittings ?? they come up easily here.. I am in Australia.
Try a hydroponic equipment supplier.
Will that work if your tanks are on differrent sides of the room? Would have to run the pipe across the ceiling and down.
Hi, It would very much depend on a few things... and some of these are.....
How high above the tank height are you going with the pipe?
Is there a chance that you will lose the suction through that pipe with any joiners?
Is the distance required for the tubing to get to a lower place that is below the bottom of the tank too far or too high to be able to drain the tank?
Just remember this is all about Gravity, and if the water has to go too far above the height of the water level in the tank then you might have issues.
I would not do it personally, but you can always try with a piece of garden hose and see if that works from the tank to where you want to drain it to, or, just install a pump at the bottom of the tank to push the water the distance required.
Also, remember .. the drainage pipe to the outside world doesn't need to be permanent. Just put a fitting at the bottom of the hoses near the tank and then fit the drainage pipe when you do the water changes as I do, so there is really no need to go up and across a room when you just connect the hose to the fitting on the day you want to do the water change. Which is what I have done here and for my other tanks in the other rooms for many years.
@@TimsBitsnPiecesThanks for the reply.
No cross contamination between tanks since the drained water is not purged from the pipes before refilling? No water temperature differences between inside tanks versus outside holding tank?
I do not have any issues at all with this system since I have installed it over 12 months ago. The water outside that is used to fill the inside tanks always has a lower temp and that helps to get the fish to mate.
When you fill the tanks, the water won't be decholrinated or temperature matched right?
Hi, there is no need to add dechlorination treatment as the water has sat for several days and up to two/three weeks depending on when I need to refill it (and when I do water changes). When one of the 2 x 1000ltr IBC storage containers outside with the lid off and fly screen covering the top hole to aid in chlorine dissipation is nearly empty I just refill it and let the large homemade canister filter on that tank turn the water over until I need to use that water.
My water here in Melbourne has very little chlorine added to it. (look it up in your area, but here is the info on my water... How much chlorine is in Melbourne water? The amount of chlorine added varies but is typically less than one milligram per litre (0.0001%), or one grain of sugar in a cup of water. To help prevent tooth decay, fluoride is added in small amounts - less than one milligram per litre.17 July 2020).
I personally hate adding extra chemicals to my tanks at the best of times so when I Don't need to add it then I Don't, plain and simple.
I use the KISS method and it has worked for me for over 20 years so far....
I do not temperature match as I add lower temperature water as it helps to spur on the breeding cycle with the fish thinking it is or has just rained and time to mate.
Is there any cross contamination between the tanks like that? Maybe if you fully drain the loop before filling you can prevent flushing some of the water from the tanks back into different tanks. The filling part will prime the siphon for the next use too.
There is NO cross contamination as the pipes are always empty before I start on the next tank lower down when draining and when filling the tanks I start at the bottom tank and it is only new water going into each tank.
Sorry, but there might be cross contaminarion. Mycobacterium, for istance, survives in dry conditions. Nevertheless, this is a simple, but genious, idea that I will use for sure.
With that external water reservoir that you are using to refill your tanks . Is it heated? What do you do about the temp change on the fish tank when adding the new water into the fish tanks? It does not effect your fish?
The IBC outside has no heating, just the suns rays. I tend to usually do water changes later in the day so that the water is not as cold as it would be in the morning. It is good to add cooler water to the tanks as that initiates mating as does rain in normal water courses would do in the wild. The water going in is only 5-10 deg lower than the tanks temps and I am only adding no more than 1/3 of the tanks water content by volume and thus only changes the tanks temp by a few degrees.
Would you mind telling me what all fittings you used? I.e straight , 90 degree etc
Some straight and some 90's and one shut off valve for each tank, plastic pipe between tanks and a 2 way tap valve at the end.
How do you start the initial suction
There are a few ways of doing it. I personally just connect the hose and turn on the pump from the IBC and it pumps water through the pipes into each tank after opening each valve for a minute or so and that then is the water needed to create the suction as water will always flow downward to the lowest point. You can also just fit a short hose to the fittings at the bottom and suck on that hose to fill all the pipes but it would be a lot of sucking...... and I'm not a good sucker.. hahahaha.....
Hi Tim.. What do we call the Y fitting
Hi, It is just a 2 outlet tap fitting from the hardware.
hey mate where did you buy your rack/shelf? may I know the exact model?
I bought it from Bunnings.. it is a 5 shelf unit.
@@TimsBitsnPieces props to you for replying quickly. I will be borrowing your idea for water changing by the way.😁
How often do you vacuum waste?
When it's needed depending on the tank and how many fish are in there, how much waste etc.. it can be 2 weeks or longer, which in itself is a water change.
Can you drain all of the same time?
I can, but I find it easier to do one at a time and it helps to keep the suction when draining the tanks as more water is being drained at a faster rate.
how is it siphoning the water out?
via suction in the pipes and gravity, once the pipes are full of water gravity takes over.
Do you ever do a full tank vac?
That’s where I would have another line at bottom so you could vacuum. 2.0 is coming I’m guessing.
NO I have no need to. If there ever was a need to then I would use a normal syphon gravel vac or the other syphon tubes I have made and use for other reasons.
@@TimsBitsnPieces it’s scientifically proven that most aquarium disease proliferates in the mulm/debris develops on the bottom of the tank.
Keeping the gravel clean is paramount. Especially when your dealing with sensitive/expensive fish!
@@ZYGTropicals I have been breeding tropical fish for over 20 years.
@@TimsBitsnPieces that’s great! 35 years here!
How do you get the siphon going??
I just open the valve with water already in it as water always drains to the lowest point.
Instead of using a tub of water can you just hook the garden hose to a water spigot
Hi, I had to google what a "water spigot" was as that is not a word used here in Australia. Yes, you can but I use the IBC to aid in removing the chlorine in the water, as it sits in the IBC the chlorine evaporates through the top meaning I do not have to use water chlorine treatment. So yes you can connect your hose to your water tap but just be aware that you will have to add water treatment for the chlorine.
Hi. Is there a reason you dont pump 3 tanks at the same time?
Hi, for starters they are not pumped, they are drained via gravity and syphon. I did try it but some of the water from the higher tanks seem to flow into the lower tanks and reduce the flow on the lower ones.. It is just easier to do 1 at a time starting at the top.
Sorry for my wording. What I mean was is it possible to fill the water back all tanks at the same time after you drain them or you still have to do one at a time?
@@TamNguyen811 I still do one at a time starting with the lowest tank working upwards which then sets up the syphon for the emptying process.
How is the temperature of your ingoing water?
I leave it lower as it imitates rain/cooler water flow which is lower temp and then makes the BN, Plecos, and other fish to help induce them to spawn.
What would you call this type of system? Is there a guide or anything online for something like this?
It is just a basic syphon something I made up from my own ideas and not wanting to drill holes in the tanks. NO there is nothing online that I have found, this is why I am showing this.
@@TimsBitsnPiecesdo you think this would work for the refill if the water coming in was straight from the tap? Or would it not be high enough pressure like your pump?
@@jamie3499 the reason why I do it from my IBC water tank with the pump is that while the water is sitting in the IBC it is de-chlorinating the water.... then I do not need any de-chlorinator to be added into my tanks when doing refills, as the chlorine evaporates as there is No lid on the IBC and it just has a piece of fly screen over the lid to keep animals and things dropping into it. I check the chlorine level in the IBC usually a day or so before I want to do water changes and most of the time it shows on the testing strips that I use, zero chlorine in the water.
What will happen if there's a bubble inside tube ?
The bubble rises to the top of the tube.
@ 6:48, Bristlenose has gas!
Hey man how do u siphon?
The system has its own syphon when I open the valves that causes the water to drain downwards according to gravity and then replenished when replacing the water.
No substrate siphoning?
These tanks have no substrate so there is no need.
How do you maintain your siphon
It maintains itself, as I refill the tanks the siphon is resumed until I drain each tank once again.
@@TimsBitsnPieces Yes, I guess I spoke to soon without watching the whole video, and by far the best system I have seen yet, simple to the extreme
May i known what matterial is that...?
If you are more specific as to what material you are referring to, then I might be able to advise you accordingly.....
but what is the pump connected to? What about chlorine, water temp? How is that solved? Is there a container with water, like a large pool? Ohh.. I see it now. That makes sense.
As you would have seen in the video the pump is connected to the IBC water tank. The chlorine in Melbourne is very little and it evaporates while sitting in the IBC. The incoming water temp is usually about 10-15 deg below the fish tank's temperature and heats up with the rest of the water in the fish tank. You should watch a video to the end before making comments.... then you will see the whole process someone is trying to show you.....
wouldnt it be better to have separate pipes from the base to each level tank...that way you could drain all at one time right...
Yes, you could do it that way but then you would have to have 3 outlets to drain somewhere.. I only have one pipe to drain it as it is in my lounge room and the hose goes to my ensuite shower to drain. This way I do not have to change anything other than turn off one valve and open another. Simple systems work much better over complex systems as that is where problems occur.
@@TimsBitsnPieces thanks for the reply and nice of you to share your setup..
Just make sure you don't accidentally open the other valve and contaminate the reservoir.
Well, that would basically Never happen as I usually use the filling hose to fill up other tanks while these are draining and then fill these when it is done draining, and I would also need the remote control in my hand to start the pumping process so it would Never happen as there is NO way the water can backflow to the IBC supply tank. It is all about systems and concentration.
Save the fish water for your plants that's what I do.
I don't have plants other than in the tanks.
Great idea but I don't think it's an efficient way of cleaning the tank you still need to gravel vac all the excess food and debris
It's a water change system and in no way alleviates the need for gravel vacking.. when needed. Although it does take out lots of debris and particulates as I stir up the water by cleaning the glass as I do it also when needed.
@@TimsBitsnPieces good deal
why not drain all 3 of a them at once cause it would drain the last tank
at the same rate wouldn't it? just as if you had a python doing it.
I have tried this in the past and it doesn't work as there is only a certain amount of volume in the pipe and it takes exactly the same amount of time and is actually slower as the water flow from the top tank also goes back into the lower tanks causing the syphon to stop on them as the top tank has a higher head of water pressure and the lower tank has minimal and thus causes a backward effect on that tank and fills it.
Thanks for supporting the LGBT community
Thanks but how did you know that ?
One tank got sick, all tank got sick since you using same pipe for water in and out. Not smart 😂
Not necessarily so.. if you know one tank has an issue then you can drain it separately...draining the water out and then replenishing the water, this will not cause any issue to any other tank if you do it separately instead of doing one tank after another.... or if you do have an issue you can change the water by using a hose or any other system.. this is the same issue with any other auto water change systems..
@@TimsBitsnPieces if you catch the sick fishes in early stage then you can do it. Most of the fish got issues with internal and wont show until they actually clamped their fin or discolored. Same pipes for in/out not a good idea, i got 500 tanks on my 2 stores and in/out water gotta be separated. Just my thought about it.