Well, since we're talking water...

Gary, how do you prepare your water, between tap, and Discus ?

Since I don't have any holding area for that amount of water, I've improvised.

I Use a python, a 20 gallon "bucket, two fives and a small 2.5 I have. Between the hot & cold water from the python, I fill the buckets with water approximately 10 to 15 degrees higher than the target tank water. I add the dechlorinator (Prime) and buffer (Seachem Discus Buffer) and let it set - the 20g bucket gets a powerhead to circulate things.

Then I put the water softener pillows in the HOB filters.

Then I gravel vac/siphon the tank. I take out approximately 50% to 60% of the water. When it's done, I move the python to my smaller tanks & start draining them.

I then hook up a different .75" hose to the powerhead and start filling the tank with that. By the time all this happens, the water is safe, buffered & has cooled to the right temperature. I've really got it down pretty well at this point. Beats the SHEEP out of hauling 270lbs of water down the stairs 2 or 3 times a week.

Even though I condition the water, with my hard, high pH water, it winds up about 7.2. Since I have all tank-raised Discus, they don't mind it at all..and one pair has even spawned.

That's it.

No upstairs bathroom ?

I gravel vac 40 litres out of the 250 litre tank, once or twice a week. 2 x 20 litre bucket. Huff and Puff the 4 or 5 metre journey to the bathroom ! That is retopped with pure unadulterated cold tap water.

The 33 litre tank, has about 8-10 litres siphoned out, once a week. That's replaced with 'temperature matched' (by 'feel') tap water.

I just open the back door, lift the manhole cover, unravel the hose pipe one end into the tank, suck on the other end and let it flow straight out into the drain, nice and easy no mess Not as easy going back in to the tanks though All the water is prepared at the kitchen sink, i also use prime and i mix hot and cold tapwater to take the chill off i then pump the water back to the tanks. I allways change about 25% of the water, durring a water change, all my tanks are done every two weeks.

I change my water once a week. I hook up my 50' python to the bathroom sink, turn on the cold water to vac 50% of the water out of all the tanks except the 135 which gets about a 30% change. To fill the tanks I reverse the flow on the python and refill with temp. matched by feel. I add the Amquel+ and the Novaqua and I'm done.

Think it might be a good idea to split this topic, as we are now on about water quality and changes

I have always treated my water before it gets anywhere near my fish.

Am I reading correctly? Do some of you take the water straight from the tap - put it in the tank & then treat it? I've always been scared to even think of it. Or am I misreading?

Me personaly ? I treat all my water before it is added to the tank, i know some people treat the water after adding it to the tank but i do not like the idea of even the smallest amount of chlorinated water in any of my tanks, as it wont hurt the fish but it will kill of the friendly bacteria that has colonised the fillters, might not do any damage in a short space of time but it is a risk that i for one am not prepared to take, remember i am the one that advocates water that fish can live and thrive in

Straight from the tap into the tank and treat it after topped off.

I've always used straight tap water, since day one. I've gone through phases where I've treated it, but usually not. I keep a bottle handy though, in case of emergencies, and I need to do a huge change.

I'm trying to think, 40 litre from my 250, that's gotta be 15-20%, say 17% ? plus or minus my 'non-H2O' tank contents.

I'm not sure how much of a Chlorine ratio that would give me , and the potential kill-rate on my Bio-filter. However, my tanks have always done well, some very long lived fish.

Are Chlorine test kits available ? Or do you go to a Pool shop ? Easier to 'Google' most likely...!

clunkster wrote:

I just open the back door, lift the manhole cover, unravel the hose pipe one end into the tank, suck on the other end and let it flow straight out into the drain.

You obviously have some sort of fish Guard. Do you Gravel Vac with this ? I now make it a point to suck up as much crap as I can when changing water. I would love to set some sort of hose system up, but fastening it at each end has to be thought out. I don't think it would go well if I spray the lounge with water. Got a floor drain in the bathroom, so that end is fine.

No dont have a fish guard as such, as all my fish are a bit too big to be sucked up the pipe. Yes i do suck up as much crap as i can.

I forget you have 'monster' fish.

I'm always scooping fish out of my bucket, to toss back in the tank !

The only thing that i have to worry about sucking up is the sand