How to do Easy Water Changes using a Pump
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2016
- How to do a water change the easy way. There are many ways to do a water change, this is how we do ours. We use a pond pump. It has made it quick and easy. The pond pump does all the work. It can be used to remove water from your tank and also fill it back up. The three main things to consider when choosing a pump are, water flow rate from your tap,
how far your aquarium is from your sink or bath and the height of your aquarium.
For a point of reference our flow rate from the tap is 2 gallons per minute, the distance from the tank to the sink is approximately 20ft and the height of our tallest aquarium is 51inches. Although our tap flow rate was only 120gph we need a water pump that would pump much faster than that at 396gph to pump the water the height of the tank.
The important things to remember are to never let your bucket run dry otherwise the pump can burn out. Also don't walk off leaving your tank filling otherwise you may forget about it and it will overflow.
Items needed
Affiliate links.
Eco Submersible Pump www.amazon.com/shop/lifewithpets.
Tubing www.amazon.com/shop/lifewithpets
Water Conditioner www.amazon.com/shop/lifewithpets
Lets connect!
Instagram / lifewithpets72
*Disclaimer ~ This video is not sponsored in anyway. All opinions are my own. The above links are Amazon Affiliate links.
I managed to get my hands on a pond pump and DAMN it made my life a lot easier. Shove the pump into the aquarium and the water is sucked out in no time. Then I put the pump into a container where I keep my already conditioned water and then pump the water into my 80G tank. Believe it or not, my water change time took on average 60-70 mins, and today I managed to do it in less than 15. I'm no longer a water boy carrying buckets back and for to the aquarium!
That's fantastic!
I need this in my life lol
Wait until you get a 1600-gph submersible pump, like sold in hardware stores by sump pumps. You'll need to add a 3/4" collar-connector to the hose, but it'll reduce your total time dramatically!
Also, see about employing an inline RV/Marine freshwater carbon filter when filling what you make/keep your prepared water in... It'll remove whatever chlorine that's in your source water, and filter-out any large minerals or particles that might be in it as well.
This is what I need in my life!!
Having worked in video production for years, you did a very professional job on your video. Being fairly new to fish keeping I'm so happy there is an alternative to dragging heavy buckets to and from the sink. Thank you so much!
Thank you! I'm glad it helped.
Gonna try this.thank you.my back hurts from lifting buckets.
This is definitely something I need. I bought a tall tank so using something like this will make life easier when filling. Also won't have to worry leaning my body on the tank. It takes me around 20 mins to take half the water out (about 60 litres) but takes double that time or more just to fill it back up. This will be really helpful for me when filling up the tank.
Something which I think is a good idea is placing the pump in a bucket of water then fill it back up using another bucket when the water level is low. Saves the hassle of switching off the pump and putting it in another bucket of water and repeating.
Your fish are beautiful! I love how they swim.
Thank you! This is gonna be a life saver for my 75 gallon goldfish tank.
I just ordered this today. Thank you !
OMG!!! What a great idea!!!
You are a genius👍👍👍
Thanks, was wanting to see someone actually doing this.
Great video - the clear directions were very helpful. Thanks for taking time to make and share.
Thanks for the feedback. We couldn't have all the tanks we have without a simple water change system.
@@Lifewithpets72 I love that idea it's amazing how much
easier water changes can be when you think outside the box.
Thanks for this great info!
Just ordered my water pump and tubing super excited 😆
Hello! (New to the hobby here) this video saved my life! I used all your affiliate links to get the same equipment. Thank you, definitely makes water changes more appealing doing it this way. Having any large aquarium is a pain unless you have an easy way to change and fill water.
Awesome! Thank you!
I really love all your videos. They are very helpful. Thank you 😀
Thank you!
Thank you! I knew it must be possible, but now I know how to make it happen! Thank you!!!
Thank you for this method!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!I have been brainstorming for eva tryna find a better way to fill up my 30 gal🤯
Oh my goodness this looks easy! Been doing bucket and aqueon filter for 14 yrs for my 2 40 gallon tanks and then the last 2 houses did not fit the aqueon-- this will make it so much easieR- THANKS! Would love a video on the math involved to figure the right pump size.
Just make it easy and get a strong Rio Pump 1700 or higher from Amazon
You are a life and water changer ! Love your channel💗
Thank you!
brilliant idea..thank u so much
Your gold fish are sooo cute! Great info too, thanks!
Thank you!
This is going to save my back in the long run. Thank you so much for the video 🐠
Glad it was helpful!
Wow! Thanks !
I had this idea but was checking to see if it would work. Now that I know, I'm off to get a pump. Thank you. great video.
If you used your brain you’d know you don’t need a pump…
@@JadeWinters02 you really do sound like a complete tosser.
Thanks going to try this
you helped me figure out my big pump by sticking it in a bucket under the tap
0:21 Omg that goldfish is so cute!
I will be passing this video to sister FYI I found a great pump option is the RIO PUMP its used for uni all in one tanks, and some have amazing flows for good prices. Amazon Prime great place I got mine
great video
Thanks for watching!
@Lifewithpets I bought the same pump and tubing! Your video was so helpful. However I am having trouble draining all the water out of the 50 ft long tubing once my aquarium is filled. Do you have any advice?
Wow this is so cool thanks for showing stuff
us*
Thanks, it's quick and easy and not too expensive to set up.
Good video! Might get one
Thanks.
great video! i can also share a trick. if you own a canister filter, i personally use the sun sun HW 703-B with a flow rate of approx 1400l/h;the outlet flow can be connected to a hose reel to the sink. since im on a budget for not getting couplers, i just stick the hose inside the plastic outlet tubing thing and the other end to the sink. the flow rate isn't great as it takes about 20min to drain half my 60 gallon but it gets the job done i guess. then when your done draining, connect other end to the sink tap and replace the water. hope it helps!
this is amazing and good information for people who have big tanks this makes the prosese faster.
Thanks:)
no problem
Brilliant
I got a pond pump and attached a garden hose to it to pump it out the window into the flowerbed/garden. To refill, I use Prime water conditioner and add it right to the tank (measuring for tank volume, not water added volume). I unscrew the nozzle on my kitchen tap end, add an attachment that lets me attach the garden hose right to the tap - and then I can easily fill the tank without worrying about the bucket in the sink scenario. Oh, and when adding water to a fish tank - always ensure that the end isn't in the water - let it aerate some. Especially if you are on city water. This is due to the gases in the pressurized waterline.
Super best idea mam
something SO simple a 5 yr old could have done it, but yet us adults never thought to do this
what a reality check this makes LIFE so much easier it's not funny.
Great idea, I have hose of 12-13mm DIA, what is the outlet size on the pump ? Cheers
hi, quick question - I want to use such a pump for an extern DIY filter, I've yet to find out how LOUD or quiet it is.
Using it for water changes doesn't matter as much, but for running it 24/7, I'd want it to be quiet...
I actually took this a few steps further:
I installed a adaptor collar on the pump's outlet, to which I placed a male quick-connect fitting. I placed a female on one of the outlets of a diverter valve, which is connected to a 25'-length of 5/8"-i.d. freshwater hose. At the opposite end of the hose, I installed large garden-hose flow-valve, to lock the water into the hose. This creates a column that automatically begin siphoning when the valves at both ends are opened, once the flow-valve is placed a drain point lower than the water level of the tank.
"But why the pump on the end in the tank then?" you say... simple! The pump acts as a weight, keeping it's end of the hose safely in the tank. I'm ready to power it up, I simply thriw the switch of the surge protector strip it's connected to, and then switch it off--along with closing the diverter valve it's on--when the desired amount of water is removed.
Now comes the big trick!...
Since my drainage point is the bathroom (a FULL bathroom) I simply remove the head from the shower hose, then attach a second garden-hose diverter valve via a reducer/coupler. I then thread a RV/Marine inline freshwater carbon filter, then attach it to the hose via the flow-valve's collar.
Running the tub tap first, I adjust the water to the desired temperature before switching it to the shower hose. I then let it drain via one of the diverter valve's ports into the sink until the desired temperature is reached again, then begin switching valves to run it through the carbon filter & hose to the tank. At the tank, I open the valve on the unused diverter port and allow the water to run as I add whatever water-treatment chemicals I use... usually Aquarium Salt, Stress Coat+ and Stress Zyme+.
When the desired water-level is reached in the tank, I shut-off the corresponding valve, unplug the pump and shut-off the bath tap. Before disassembling the system, I shut-off the inline flow-valve and then open the valve on the unused diverter port at that end, to drain whatever pressure is in the filter and shower hose before disassembly.
I then coil & place the hose and other parts in a 5-gallon bucket w/air-tight screw-on lid, going slowly as to not pull the pump out of the tank before I have the bucket near... to catch whatever water may drip from it. Once the pump's in the bucket, I disconnect it from the hose and coil it's cord before tucking it inside the bucket, and screw the bucket's lid back on for neat, safe storage in my closet until the next water change.
That sounds great! Please could you consider doing a video?
Quick question, I need this to go about 30ft would I be able to use a hose or would I need a special type of tubing? if anyone could answer it would be appreciated very much.
Wow mind blow. I've been doing it the hard Wu
I use pretty much this method, though I don't place pump in Aquarium to drain the water. With my bucket in my tub which is lower than my tanks, I put a bit of water in bucket and turn pump on for a few seconds and then turn it off. It creates a siphon for me which drains the water out of the aquarium. I found that out after I used this method the first time. I did actually how this video said but with the PVC hook I use in the water, it starting draining after I turned off pump and figured I didn't have to play let's move the pump around anymore. To fill I just leave the pump on and remember to remove hook after it's done draining. I have a demo video on my TH-cam channel, though it's not as in depth about this one.
It probably won't work if you put the bucket higher than your tank though.
What do you have inside your pots inside the tank?
I’ve been wondering how to hold down certain plants down without having to glue them.
i wonder if you can make it a drip system on the end of the hose so you can do slower water changes for my shrimp tank
I am new to TH-cam videos on aquariums, and am playing "catch up". I was wondering if you made a video on how you did those plants in the jars, I really like that for the bare bottom tanks. Thanks for sharing all this good stuff!
I haven’t made a specific video on the plans in jars.
Good video!! :)
Thanks!
I think this is exactly the solution I needed for refilling my tanks.
Best thing we ever did. Makes cleaning all my tanks so much easier!
Thank you so much! Constantly moving the buckets back and forth was such a hassle. And I also live in a small house, with three fish tanks so there's quiet a lot of clutter thank you!!!
hi, whats the name of the that tubing (i saw at the time scale 2:35) in your video, I just need same sort of bubbles in the whole tank's back side, my tank size is 7 feet long..kindly answer please-thanks
You’ve saved my f^*•ing life , thank you 🙏
Would any type of submersible water pump work? And if I'm only using it to move water from the bucket to the tank do I need to know the rate of my tap?
How did you do those plants i love it 😊
How do you control tap water temperature? I don't want to stress the fish with super cold water. Thanks
When pumping water back into the tank, what is your method for knowing that the water is the right temperature? Thank you. Nice informative video.
I have a 40 gallon breeder at 46" tall, the stock is 1 small common goldfish. Any suggestions on pump size? I was looking at the 264 gph model.
ok... how do you use the pump to vacuum the aquarium? We have 20 feet from the tank to the sink.Need excellent suction to vacuum. Your idea works to take out water and replace it, but not vacuum. Any ideas?
How do you get the excess water out of the tube when your done
How much PSI or GPH do I need to air pump 200 gallons of fish tank? I have 20X of 10 gallons tanks and I just want ONE nice big air pump for all my tanks. Any help and suggestions?
This was tge closest thing i found to what I was planing on so please any info you can give me? I want to keep a water flow from my aquarium to my big bucket right next to it so i can put the water there and it slowly gets pushed into the aquarium by dripping. It is for neocaridina shrimp so its important the water isnt changed at a fast rate. Can a pump do it slowly one drop at a time too?
Sofia Cortes No
Can I use extension cord with the water pump?
Any tips on getting the water out of the long clear hose easily and quickly after you're done?
What are your thoughts on adding the prime or water conditioner into the bucket instead of into the tank itself? Wouldn’t this take care of the water being conditioned before it’s in the tank?
You can do a dose to the bucket if you'd like. I add some in the bucket and also into the tank.
This looks amazing!!! I can’t wait to try it! How do I figure out the flow rate of my water out of the tap?
Get a gallon bucket and time how long it takes to fill, them You have your gallons per hour.
I just watched this again and realized you explained this clearly right at the beginning, lol. Thanks for your reply:)
Gooood
I've tried to re-create this at home (pythons dont work very well in Australia due to incompatible fittings) but im finding problems pumping the water from the bucket back into the aquarium - as soon as i stop the pump (due to gravity) water very quickly siphons back out of the tank into my laundry sink. By the time I switch the pump off and removed the syphon safelty Ive lost.about 4-6 buects of water and still need to go back to bucket filling.
I also have not figured out a good way to clamp the vinyl tube to the tank so it is not at risk of falling out and covering the living room with water. Im using rocks but im not confident the tube wont flop out and flood my living room.
So having some teething problems trying to make it work in a way thats actually quicker than buckets.
Any ideas how to make this work better?
Hey, good video. However, I haven’t figured out how you measure the water conditioner when you let the tap running and the pump fills up the aquarium. Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks
-Greg
Thanks for watching. If you remove 10 gallons you treat for 10 gallon, the tap running is not relevant only how much you actual remove from the tank is. Hope that makes sense 😬
Just add the conditioner to the tank before you start to refill your tank.
hi was looking at doing]g something like this before I Seen your video but after speaking to my local pet shop was advised against this due to the distance between the fish tank and the sink around 18 metres and a 180 litre tank apparently according to them would need a very powerful pump that would drain to much water to quickly any advice on that one
Hi, unfortunately not, the biggest distance we had was around 25ft and we used the pump in this video.
Hi I have 75 gallons tank about 48 inches wide and about 21 inches high .i would be using 50 feet tall hose and and my tank like 35 feet away from my sink.which model pump I should use?thank you.
Amazon Prime, I would see about a rio pump 1700 or higher, the tubbing it the costly one too, get an adaptor to use smaller hose if you can.. that 3/4 inch is costly as heck!! SO I have 2 feet of 3/4 inch and adaptors to make the cheaper 1/2 inch work for the 50 feet lots cheaper
The temp from my tap keeps changing so I have to keep adjusting it to get the right temp I can’t just leave it on to say warm because it changes to cold or to hot it doesn’t stay consistent. Which means I have to get the desired temp for the water then pump it into the tank.
Whats the length your tubing
should you add the water conditioner first or could you slowly add it to the bucket that is pumping water back in??
also how big is the tank shown in the video with the goldfish?
You can do it either way. The tank is 55 gallons.
one question when I am ready to fill my tank back up with tap water do I add the water conditioner to my tank or water from bucket?? and how much at a time for a 75-gallon tank?? I was thinking of buying a big empty drum fill it with water then add water conditioner then pump it to my tank that's the safest way I think for my tank.
I do it to both. I fill my bucket up while the tank is emptying and add conditioner to it so it stands for about 10 minutes. I also add to the tank once I start filling it back up.
Lifewithpets oh ok thanks
I like your fish
Thanks.
Great video, one of the better ones I've seen, well done! :) My only issue is water temperature. My aquarium water is kept at a constant 22 degrees Centigrade, so filling the tank directly from the cold water tap would be an issue. I can't reduce my hot water feed to less than 40 degrees either. I my well try and use a large fermentation bin (sitting in the bath, I can refill it easily there). Did you have any issues with water temperature?
Thanks. No not really, I start the water flowing into the bucket from the tal and use a digital thermometer to check the temperature. I don’t worry if it’s a degree or two difference and it’s never caused a problem for our fish.
Incidentally (and sorry to bother you again) you spoke about "gallons per minute" from your tap/faucet/water supply. Was this UK (Imperial) gallons or US gallons? Thanks in advance :)
It's US gallons.
Thanks, I thought as much but given your accent I couldn't be absolutely sure! :)
Great video, I was about to get this, but there is chlorine in my tap water so I would have to take over 20 fish out of my tank to use the pump
Why? You can add water conditioner to the bucket and the tank. I have chlorine and chloramines in my tap water, it makes no difference.
but when the water came out of your tap it went directly into the bucket and through the pump into the tank. I could still just pour the water into the bucket then use the pump, but the way you were doing this looked was faster
Just put your bucket into the sink , add your conditioner to the bucket , add water to the bucket, put your pump into the bucket ,let the water keep running into the bucketand switch your pump on. Voila you are pumping your already conditioned water into your tank :)
I like this idea but how about temperature matching. When doing it the bucket method I balance the temp with the tank and I prefer to add the water conditioner to the buckets.
I have a digital thermometer. It can be added to the bucket to get it as close as possible to the tank. I have been using this method for years and it’s never been a problem. I add conditioner to the bucket and the tank. I fill the bucket while the tank is emptying so the conditioner is in there for 5-10 mins before refilling the tank.
Thank you for your reply I was thinking along the lines you have outlined. I have been carrying buckets for the last two years and I am tired.
This was a game changer for me. We have 8 tanks and it used to take us a long time to do water changes. This cut that time in half and some!
Hi, Sheila I was a bit slow with getting a pump as most in the UK do not come with adapters. I did eventually find one on Amazon that had 2 adapters. I was motivated after having cataract surgery and they say not to do any lifting. What a fantastic piece of equipment. I put the pump in a filter bag as I have shrimp and fry. Why more people don't use this I can only wonder.
Hi , I live in the UK and can't find the pump you listed :( My tank is about 5ft high (Amazon 2ft cube, 220L -ish), could you recommend a cheap pump and some hosing please? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Carl
I’m sorry but I’m not in the UK so I’m not familiar with what is available.
Okay thanks anyway :)
Love the accent. ;)
Thanks:)😊
So it's ok to add prime 1st before adding the water?
Yes, we do that with all our tanks.
A bunch of good info here! I was wondering if you could give advise on algea, i currently have a planted tank and find myself cleaning plants and decorations almost 2 times a week. i have my lights on a timer but algea is still growing pretty quickly! any advise?
Thank you. I had an issue with algae in my planted tank for a while, but have solved it now. How long has the tank been established and do you know your nitrate reading? Is it heavily stocked, and how often and how much do you water change? These question will help me to hopefully help you.
I am unsure of nitrate levels, the tank has been up and going for about a month and a half at least. There are two types of sword, and two types of anubias plants, a moss ball, two nerite snails and a male betta. Also the tank is a 5 gal. lights are usually on from 7am to 3-4 pm. Thanks for the quick reply and i hope this information can help!
It sounds like a nice set up. Is it filtered? How often do you water change and how much? What substrate do you use? Do you use roots tabs? All these can play a factor into algae.
its filtered, i do water changes once a week about 45-50 %, i have a sand substrate with smooth rocks in areas ontop, i dont use root tabs but i had used a plant food up untill 2 weeks ago because i asumed the plants werent useing all the nutrients and it was adding to the problem.
Yes, adding plant food is not needed. I did the same thing and it made things worse. I do use roots tabs though. I'd highly recommend them. The reason you have algae is because you have too many nutrients in the water. This in and of itself is not a bad thing it means although the tank is not balanced it is healthy. Usually when you set up a planted tank you do get an algae bloom. I got one when I set my 20 gallon planted tank up. It lasted for about 6-8 weeks. I eventually started doing 75% weekly water changes. I did it for 2 weeks and saw a huge difference. I then cut back to 50% once a week and 2 months on my tank is still clear! There is no definitive answer as all tanks are different and most planted tanks go through algae issues from time to time. I'd recommend doing a 75% water change once a week for two weeks and see if that makes a difference. When you do the first 75% water change be sure to clean off all the glass and any surface algae. When you feel it's under control you can go back to 50% once a week. Smaller tanks usually need larger water changes so 50-60% once a week is good.
What kind of tropical fish would you suggest for beginners? We have kiddos who would like to learn about fish, live plants, and snails. TIA!
Guppies and platys are a good choice but a lot depends on the size of tank you will be using.
agree love me some guppies
Thanks for the video - I am trying to find the eco396 pond pump from your shop can you help - I have the same requirements as shown in the video so if you could point me in the right direction? I have followed the links but can't find the pump and tubing i would need - :-)
Unfortunately I can’t add a link here. If you go to the link in the video and then onto Lifewithpets influencer page the links for both are in there. I just checked Incase they’d been removed but they’re still there.
@@Lifewithpets72 ok, thanks
does the eco396 come with any tubing?
No, the tubing is separate.
Hi, great video.
From your link, it looks like the pump is unavailable now.
Is there an alternative you'd suggest?
Hi, I have just checked the link and it appears to be working for me. I will change it to my Amazon page so you can see it on there.
@@Lifewithpets72 ok great, i was seeing a link to Amazon US which was unavailable. Will keep an eye out for yours
marlon leitch I am in the USA. That maybe why it’s not working for you?
@@Lifewithpets72 Aha, that answers it lol! Ok ignore me then. Thanks
I loved this video...but when are you going to make another betta video?
Betta videos are every Tuesday. Did you see the last one? I upload a Betta related video once a week.
Isn’t it safer to have the conditioner sit in a bucket of new water instead of pouring the tap water straight into the tank even if there is conditioner in it?
What type of fish are those?
Would this work for my 55 gal thats roughly 20, 25 ft away from sink?
Yes. Just make sure your tubing is long enough.
I use a water hose strength to the sink. buy sink adapter ace hardware
Know pumps that stay outside the water that could do this?
No, sorry.
Cobalt inline pump would do that, sorry it’s little late but never know it might be still helpful.
I have a question could you drain the water in the toilet instead of the sink? My mom doesn't want the turtle's used water down the kitchen sink. I doubt she'll let me use the bathroom sink either and it's also a little bit clogged.
yes cuz when you add water to the toilet you will see it will not rise, (if its not clogged) try it, dump big glass into it, see it stays same
Use the bathtub?
I always drain my buckets of water in the toilet. No problem and it doesn't fill up
@@crystalrizzo915 or even the shower
hi
pump you ordered im assuming it came from usa how long did it take to arrive?
I live in the USA. It took 2 days to arrive. They do sell them on amazon uk too, search pond pump and they will come up.
thanks I've ordered from usa now.
Ok, great! They make such a difference!
My hose gets algae build up, how do I manage this?
You need to buy that cleaning brush for fish tanks it’s a long metal so you can push it inside the tube and at the end it has a bristle
It look easy.For me I just use the pump to remove water from the aquarium.To add back the water I just need to plug the tube to a pipe in the sink using the end of the tube.
So... when do you add the dechlorinater?
I add it straight into the tank. Also some into the bucket.
What type of fish are they and how big do they get! I might get one!
They are Ranchus and an Oranda Goldfish. They need large tanks as they get 6-8 inches in length. 20 gallons minimum for one fish, 30 gallons for 2 fish. They are also a lot of work. They need a lot of large 60-80% water changes as they produce a lot of waste.
Lifewithpets thx so much!
I'd really appreciate it if you post the link for the pump and the hose. I'm really really fed up with using buckets to and from the quarium - like a Tibetan monk.
Lol....i know what you mean! We couldn't do it with all the aquariums we have so this makes it so much easier! The links are in the description box.
Thank you! Sorry, didn't hear you mention the links as I was working and watching at the same time :) I'll see if I can find a similar pump in the UK. At least now I know what's needed. Thanks!
No problem. I'm sure you'll find the equivalent on Amazon in the U.K..
How do your plants grow? Do you only add fluval in the glass?
No, I just added gravel and then root tabs. The root tabs plus the nutrients in the water feed the plants. I have several videos on the channel on aquarium plants.
Lifewithpets Can I replace gravel and use river rock?
Yes.
what model of UV sterilizer do you have in your goldfish Aquarium?
It's a 13watt uv sterilizer by Sun. It has made an incredible difference in the water clarity!!
+Lifewithpets ok thanks for replying I have a 9 watt by Sun,
I've never used one before. I'm so glad I tried it!
+Lifewithpets they are very helpful