How to add water without disturbing substrate?

[Whitecloud09]

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.

[yash severums]

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

[mynameisnobody]

@Whitecloud09 where’s the source of water coming from? Are you pouring from a pitcher, bucket, water pump, etc? 

[Whitecloud09]

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

[mynameisnobody]

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

[Whitecloud09]

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.

[Whitecloud09]

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

[Potterygal]

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

[face]

Depending on how big your tank is a colander can help to gentle the flow a bit 

[Whitecloud09]

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.

[EricksonAquatics]

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

[Potterygal]

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? 

[Whitecloud09]

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

[Potterygal]

On 8/4/2024 at 4:03 PM, Whitecloud09 said:

gravel vac every single week

I do as well. 

[mynameisnobody]

Dude go with the colander, it’s the most practical. 

[Whitecloud09]

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

[mynameisnobody]

Anything plastic and cheap works. Stainless if better but not required. 

[tolstoy21]

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

[PlantedAri]

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.

[Whitecloud09]

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

[Fish Folk]

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

[Whitecloud09]

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

[tolstoy21]

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.

[Whitecloud09]

Is this one ok @tolstoy21?

[tolstoy21]

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