Ot: Help!

[caitrina]

OK guys, news from the Dr. the other day wasn't that great for someone who is single, independant and stubborn so to be able to keep my tank I have to come up with ways to do things that do not involve lifting anymore than 10 lbs, no overhead lifting or work, no pushing, pulling, or tugging. Sorta like the way I post or type...type some into a word document, get up move around, come back type more..and eventually copy and paste... or when I keep a string going on here sometimes...type, get up, type some more, and eventually submit.

Anyway, water changes: I have to devise a way to do this myself and not have to depend on someone else.

My idea is to connect a hose that is long enough to reach to the window and allow the old water to go into container and then kick container over to empty. PROBLEM: I have to have someone inside to make sure I don't siphon a small animal or mushroom, but yet I have to be outside at the same time to keep an eye on the amount of water going out.

Sounds easy, huh, but in all actuality the simple things like making a mark on the tank to desired water change level would not always hold true due to evaporation and day to day changes in water levels. Ok, that is one issue, right now. I am sure others will come.

Things like this sound easy until you have the restrictions and try to implement them and then you go uh-oh, I didn't think of that, can't do that and by then it is too late or you have created one BIG mess and caused more problems...so help my mind here and throw out some ideas.

[Witfull]

Cat, i have a solution for you, but, i need some info. is your tank close to a laundry room with a sink. even if through walls, you can run tubing from the tank to the sink. use a powerhead to start siphon of water to sink and down drain water goes. then take power head to the sink side, drop it into made up SW and pump back to tank.

[wonderloss]

If you can siphon into a sink or a bathtub, that might help. Use an auto topoff system so you do not have to lift water to fill the tank. The tunze ozmolator system is pretty nice. It can be used to make up for evaporation, and to refill after a water change.

I have also seen siphon setups that you hook to a tap and use a venturi effect to pull the water out.

Good luck with your adjustments.

[Octoman]

Originally Posted by wonderloss

I have also seen siphon setups that you hook to a tap and use a venturi effect to pull the water out.

We used a Python at the LFS. They work pretty well, connect it to the sink and turn the sink on to start the siphon.

Aquarium Maintenance & Water Changes: Python No Spill Clean 'N Fill

[tippMANn98]

Cat, if you are still worried about sucking up a critter from the tank, just put some stocking or netting on the end of your siphon "out" tube....

[Gina]

We used to fill up or trash can (33g) right next to the RO/DI unit. When we were ready to do the water change we would take a 25 ft siphon hose attach a mag to it and drop that it or one of us would hang on to it. We then took the other end and placed it under the toilet lid in the half bath. Plug it in and start emptying. We knew how much to empty from the main tank that would be enough to refill with the new water. Once we were done emptying the old water, we just reversed it. We put the mag in the new water bin and started filling the tank. With this method, we had no lifting, pulling or dragging. I even did it once by myself so, I know it could work for you.

[AQTCJAK]

Cat what about something like this on a smaller scale

http://www.murrayproductions.org/DIY...%20off%204.wmv

I am sure some fellow members in the area can help withthe construction

[lcstorc]

Cat, have you hooked up the new ro/di yet? I'm pretty sure that it could be hooked up to fill a trash can with a float switch. I know you are limited on space as well but the trashcan on wheels is a great thing to use. Frank has ours hooked up so that I just put the pvc thing in the tank and the end out the door. Drain to a specific level. Then connect the hose to the pump in the trashcan and fill the tank. I usually make sure the tank is topped off before starting so I know how much I am taking out and putting in. For the little tank the hose just goes to the kitched sink for draining.
We are certainly available to help get you set up and running. Just let me know.