Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Hi guys, How do you add water after doing a wc to the tank without disturbing substrate plants and even fish. Any ideas? Thanks. Any DIY options too. I have sand substrate. So that is why I ask, easy to disturb it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yash severums Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 (edited) I am not a planted guy. But with my sand substrate I try to put the pipe either in a plastic bag or some mug before it reahes the sand. I dont know if its the the best way, just a suggestion🙂 Edited August 4 by yash severums 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 @Whitecloud09 where’s the source of water coming from? Are you pouring from a pitcher, bucket, water pump, etc? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 1:28 PM, mynameisnobody said: @Whitecloud09 where’s the source of water coming from? Are you pouring from a pitcher, bucket, water pump, etc? Just from either a bucket or a water jug. @mynameisnobody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Yep, place a small flat dish on the substrate, place a mug on top of the dish. Carefully pour into the mug and let it pour out slowly from the mug. You’ll get better as you do it more often. After it’s full, take mug and dish out and you’re done. Easy Peasy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 1:57 PM, mynameisnobody said: Yep, place a small flat dish on the substrate, place a mug on top of the dish. Carefully pour into the mug and let it pour out slowly from the mug. You’ll get better as you do it more often. After it’s full, take mug and dish out and you’re done. Easy Peasy Thank you, i will do this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 (edited) On 8/4/2024 at 1:14 PM, yash severums said: I am not a planted guy. But with my sand substrate I try to put the pipe either in a plastic bag or some mug before it reahes the sand. I dont know if its the the best way, just a suggestion🙂 Thanks! For the suggestion @yash severums Edited August 4 by Whitecloud09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potterygal Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 12:56 PM, Whitecloud09 said: So that is why I ask, easy to disturb it. Yeah I made a mess yesterday of my water change, I plan to see if there is a “reverse siphon “ that doesn’t have to be above tank level to work. I know/ pHySics lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
face Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Depending on how big your tank is a colander can help to gentle the flow a bit 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 2:51 PM, face said: Depending on how big your tank is a colander can help to gentle the flow a bit 20g. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PonyPlantedTanks Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 I use a colander/strainer and it works very well to distribute the water and not disturb the substrate. Plus, they usually are the perfect size to sit on the rim of the tank while you pour water in. In my 10g I literally pour water into my betta’s floating log so it doesn’t mess up the gravel😂 Not practical but hey, it works😂 I believe there’s also a 3D printed contraption I’ve seen on Etsy for this exact purpose. I bet if you typed in water change distributor it would pop up 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potterygal Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 3:26 PM, EricksonAquatics said: my 10g I literally pour water into my betta’s floating log so it doesn’t mess up the gravel😂 In my 5 gal Fluval I pour in thru the sponge cartridge on side that’s separated from tank. My newer 10g still making mess bc my bucket is so heavy and harder to juggle but colander or even an AC SPONGE could help disperse. I don’t have sand but it still kicks up stuff even after gravel vac. BTW - who gravel vacs weekly or less often? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 4:00 PM, Potterygal said: In my 5 gal Fluval I pour in thru the sponge cartridge on side that’s separated from tank. My newer 10g still making mess bc my bucket is so heavy and harder to juggle but colander or even an AC SPONGE could help disperse. I don’t have sand but it still kicks up stuff even after gravel vac. BTW - who gravel vacs weekly or less often? I gravel vac every single week. Substrate, algae debris, I think it makes quite a difference imo. @Potterygal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potterygal Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 4:03 PM, Whitecloud09 said: gravel vac every single week I do as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Dude go with the colander, it’s the most practical. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 (edited) On 8/4/2024 at 4:11 PM, mynameisnobody said: Dude go with the colander, it’s the most practical. Ik, I will. Already planning on it @mynameisnobody Got a link? PM me if so I guess. Like what is the best one out there? Reasonable price range too… Edited August 4 by Whitecloud09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Anything plastic and cheap works. Stainless if better but not required. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolstoy21 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 (edited) I hang a filter sock on the side of the aquarium to diffuse water entering the tank. I use this technique for my shrimp tanks because buffering substrate has a tendency to break down over time and turn muddy. Anything that disturbs it makes the water a freakin mess, waaaaaaaaaaaay worse than sand. But, you do have to throttle the water flow a bit so if you're doing massive water changes this could become time consuming. But on 40g's and below it works well. Filter socks are also a great way to do water changes (removing water as well as adding) in aquariums with even the most microscopic fry. Just hang the sock on the side of the aquarium and put the siphon inside it. Edited August 4 by tolstoy21 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlantedAri Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 I'm a fan of pouring water onto some folded up aluminum foil; I tried a colander at first and the aluminum foil is even gentler for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 4:52 PM, tolstoy21 said: I hang a filter sock on the side of the aquarium to diffuse water entering the tank. I use this technique for my shrimp tanks because buffering substrate has a tendency to break down over time and turn muddy. Anything that disturbs it makes the water a freakin mess, waaaaaaaaaaaay worse than sand. But, you do have to throttle the water flow a bit so if you're doing massive water changes this could become time consuming. But on 40g's and below it works well. Filter socks are also a great way to do water changes (removing water as well as adding) in aquariums with even the most microscopic fry. Just hang the sock on the side of the aquarium and put the siphon inside it. Thanks! Good info @tolstoy21 On 8/4/2024 at 4:55 PM, PlantedAri said: I'm a fan of pouring water onto some folded up aluminum foil; I tried a colander at first and the aluminum foil is even gentler for me. Will try it thank you!!!!! @PlantedAri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 (edited) I have not read all replies… so my apologies if this is redundant: cut a sheet of bubble wrap the size of your water surface. Float that, and pour / fill water on top of that. It significantly reduces substrate disturbance. (Not my own idea) Edited August 4 by Fish Folk 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 5:04 PM, Fish Folk said: I have not read all replies… so my apologies if this is redundant: cut a sheet of bubble wrap the size of your eater surface. Float that, and pour / fill water on top of that. It significantly reduces substrate disturbance. (Not my own idea) No I don’t think so, that is a good idea though! @Fish Folk thx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolstoy21 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 On 8/4/2024 at 5:04 PM, Fish Folk said: I have not read all replies… so my apologies if this is redundant: cut a sheet of bubble wrap the size of your water surface. Float that, and pour / fill water on top of that. It significantly reduces substrate disturbance. (Not my own idea) I like this idea a lot. Gonna have to give it a try with my shrimp tanks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 Is this one ok @tolstoy21? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolstoy21 Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 (edited) Should be. I don't know the diameter of the ones I use. But really, that doesn't matter. Just experiment a bit with water strength when filling the tank and you'll be set. I started using these when I bred Odessa Barbs. I was doing 2 - 3x water changes a day and those were handy to not suck out teeny-tiny fry, nor blast them with a firehose of water when re-filling. Since then, they are all I use for water changes.. Edited August 5 by tolstoy21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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