danilada Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Thanks Carol, that is pretty much what I needed to know. Did you get your fittings from Mitre 10 Mega? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 When I do a water change I siphon into 30L barrels. You could do this (to enable you to suck the crud up as well) then siphon from the barrel out the window (or down the bank). No lifting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 We got the siphon bit from The Goldfish Bowl in Hamilton if I remember correctly and then got extra hose from Mico Wakefield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Alright, think I will have to let my fingers do the walking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I had better add I have had that thing for many years now! :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I assumed that I'll see what Bunnings and Mitre 10 Mega have, I might be able to wip some-thing up through them. Thanks heaps Carol, its given me a brilliant idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeous Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Wow this thread has exploded since I posted . To get the siphon started you can either use a tradition method (i.e. suck or self-starter) or you screw whole thing into tap, put sucking end of hose in tank, make sure the bottom valve is open, and then turn the tap on. You don't need to have the tap going the whole time as it only sucks the water through - which you don't need when the siphon has started... Geddit?? well, here's some bad bad drawing that might explain it better... HTH p.s. Paint always seems to chop out words :evil: It says : "tap on (but only at first)","valve open" and "tap on","valve shut" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camnbron Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Boring garden hose method: Tools: Garden hose, Garden tap, nozzle for end of hose Draining: 1. Plug hose into garden tap 2. Turn on tap with nozzle open to remove air 3. Close nozzle 4. Turn off tap 5. Crack open nozzle to release pressure in hose then quickly close again. 6. Disconnect hose from tap (also remove attachment from end of hose) and place in garden or lawn. 7 Take nozzle end of hose to fish tank, submerge then open nozzle 8 Remove nozzle and attachment from end of hose and attach gravel cleaning attachment. 9 Drain tank to desired level Filling: 1 Plug hose into garden tap 2 Turn on tap with nozzle open to remove air 3 Adjust tap to required flow rate (not full noise) 4 Close nozzle 5 Take nozzle end of hose to fish tank, submerge then open nozzle 6 place spare hand at end of nozzle to disperse water randomly 7 Fill tank to desired level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I use a bilge pump connected to a car battery on one of my tanks. On another I have a hose permanently connected to outside tap tee'd off with a valve. Stick hose in tank and open valve and gravity does the rest. To fill I just close valve and turn on tap. 10 mins to do a 100L + water change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 hehe ok, do you guys siphon a actual *4 meter* lenth hose etc though. My hose is 4 meters, how would I siphon that. You only need to get the water flowing over the edge of the tank, then let gravity do the rest. You don't need top suck it all the way to the end of the hose. I always strategicly place my larege tanks close to a window or door so I can run a hose outside for water changes. Buckets are for suckers! or for tanks under 200L anyway :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I use a bilge pump connected to a car battery on one of my tanks. On another I have a hose permanently connected to outside tap tee'd off with a valve. Stick hose in tank and open valve and gravity does the rest. To fill I just close valve and turn on tap. 10 mins to do a 100L + water change. Could also use a computer power supply...just a idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Thanks guys/girls for all your help, double thanks to George for the effort of the picture, will try a few of your idea's, if all else fails, then will invest in the gadget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 What I have done is make up a hose connection that goes on the fawcet and onto a flexible hose with a snap on connector.The connection to the fawcet is not a standard plumbing fixture so you can't get it from a hardware store but from a place selling those rip off filters that make your already safe tap water safe to drink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 those rip off filters that make your already safe tap water safe to drink. Man I hate them so badly! and thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcase Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I have one of the gadgets you were contemplating at the start of the thread .... it works perfectly for me (cut my time for a water change down by 80%). You do need the metal adaptor ... the plastic one was useless. Also a kink free hose is a lot easier to use & coil afterwards. Use a hose connector to join both ends when coiled up to save any spillage. I connect it up with my gravel vac and vac as the water is sucked out and when I have drained enough it's just a matter of tweaking the valve to reverse the water flow (we're in Chch so water is fine going straight into tank). I'm lucky as my wife helps and controls the tap mixer while I feel/monitor the water going in to ensure a good temperature & the fish seem to love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I have one too. I run a 10m garden hose on it. I siphon my tank water out onto the garden. I have a power head pump in my big tanks and just put the end of the hose in the outlet. Works a treat, cutting down time significantly. I got a replacement plastic adapter for the faucet but have not needed it yet. They are a definite asset for water changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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