Mugwump's Fish World

THE POND-THE FRESHWATER PLACE => Tank Maintenance and Equipment => Topic started by: big b on August 09, 2015, 01:59:01 AM

Title: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 01:59:01 AM
While doing a water change on my 5 gallon I had an idea. I have 2 ten gallon tanks behind my 5 gallon. Why not put the 5 gallon bucket on top of the 10 gallons rims and have it fill up the tank while I am emptying out the tank. I put the bucket on where the 2 edges meet on both tanks so it would have a better foundation. Is it possible that this will eventually crack the glass? It is 50 pounds of water so I am a bit concerned if I should continue doing this.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: Mugwump on August 09, 2015, 06:00:47 AM
Quote from: big b on August 09, 2015, 01:59:01 AM
While doing a water change on my 5 gallon I had an idea. I have 2 ten gallon tanks behind my 5 gallon. Why not put the 5 gallon bucket on top of the 10 gallons rims and have it fill up the tank while I am emptying out the tank. I put the bucket on where the 2 edges meet on both tanks so it would have a better foundation. Is it possible that this will eventually crack the glass? It is 50 pounds of water so I am a bit concerned if I should continue doing this.



,,,likely not a good idea IMHO......I wouldn't....."Murphy's Law".....
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 11:23:12 AM
I have 6 people advising against it, and 3 people saying it's ok. I guess I have my answer.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: wsantia1 on August 09, 2015, 11:30:55 AM
Make it 7 against it. ???
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 11:57:44 AM
7 against it, 5 for it.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: LizStreithorst on August 09, 2015, 12:16:01 PM
Make that 8, son.  It's not that hard to change water on a few tanks.  Get caffeinated up and just do it.  You're young and strong changing water in your few tanks with buckets is no huge chore.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: Mugwump on August 09, 2015, 01:35:11 PM
Quote from: LizStreithorst on August 09, 2015, 12:16:01 PM
Make that 8, son.  It's not that hard to change water on a few tanks.  Get caffeinated up and just do it. You're young and strong changing water in your few tanks with buckets is no huge chore.

You bet....we just finished changing water on about 1500 gal.... ;D......buckets only for sponge squeezing.... ;D
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 01:40:46 PM
I decided against it. Although I am a bit mad at the time it takes. The shortest time I have ever done on all my tanks was 30 minutes and that was only 1 time. The normal time is about1-1.5 hours. With these new tanks I am adding it will be like 3 hours :(
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: Mugwump on August 09, 2015, 01:44:45 PM
Quote from: big b on August 09, 2015, 01:40:46 PM
I decided against it. Although I am a bit mad at the time it takes. The shortest time I have ever done on all my tanks was 30 minutes and that was only 1 time. The normal time is about1-1.5 hours. With these new tanks I am adding it will be like 3 hours :(


....get a python..... 8)
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 01:49:39 PM
Ugh, I don't want to because I have not ever used it before and I don't know how it works and I don't think it will work with my faucet.
I think it may be time to stop making excuses and just get one.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: LizStreithorst on August 09, 2015, 01:59:14 PM
Geeze, post a pic of your faucet and I can tell you if it will work. 
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: ilroost on August 09, 2015, 02:15:59 PM
You think a hour is a long time, then you should be here when i do mine. Minimum of 5 or 6 hours to get it done.
But i don't mind it at all. Kinda fun and relaxing to putz around the fish room
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 02:52:08 PM
It took me about 10 minutes to find a picture of my faucet.
http://plumbingexperts.com/var/m_7/75/754/638778/618717-tb-delta%20522-mpu.jpg
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: Mugwump on August 09, 2015, 03:05:57 PM
Quote from: big b on August 09, 2015, 02:52:08 PM
It took me about 10 minutes to find a picture of my faucet.
http://plumbingexperts.com/var/m_7/75/754/638778/618717-tb-delta%20522-mpu.jpg

,,,an adapter will fit that.....
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: LizStreithorst on August 09, 2015, 03:12:08 PM
it looks to me like you should be able to unscrew the little part on the output end of the faucet with pliers or if you're gentle, vice grips.  If there are threads, you can hook a python to it.  They come with adaptors.  If your's doesn't come with what you need, take the piece you have removed  from the faucet as well as the connectors that come with your python to a hardware store or a Lowes and tell them what you want to do.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 09, 2015, 04:16:24 PM
Thanks Liz and Jon.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: Ron Sower on August 09, 2015, 04:17:07 PM
Quote from: LizStreithorst on August 09, 2015, 03:12:08 PM
it looks to me like you should be able to unscrew the little part on the output end of the faucet with pliers or if you're gentle, vice grips.  If there are threads, you can hook a python to it.  They come with adaptors.  If your's doesn't come with what you need, take the piece you have removed  from the faucet as well as the connectors that come with your python to a hardware store or a Lowes and tell them what you want to do.

I would add to this:
Get the Python first and take it with you so there is no question as to what adapters you need.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: b125killer on August 09, 2015, 06:43:01 PM
If you don't like the time it takes on smaller tanks wait until you get a 500 gallon tank. I just spent 1.5 hours on my 150 gallon. But I also have discus in there and do large water changes. And I took out a divider in it. If I do the 155 bow and the 150 together it will kill a afternoon quickly.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: GraphicGr8s on August 09, 2015, 09:35:41 PM
Only problem with using a python for emptying your tank you're using potable water to do it. Correction. You are wasting potable water.


When I lived in NY I used a quick change on the bathroom sink and attached a hose to fill.
My last house I had bought this green 1/4" hose that was sold to water indoor plants. I cut the end off that attached to the faucet and use compression fittings to attach it to my undersink filter with a shut off valve.  After I was done I would coil it up and store it under the sink.

I would drain and clean the first tank and start filling as soon as I finished. It was a slow flow so I'd start the next tank and so on. Made sure the last tank to be filled was in the TV room so I'd watch TV while that last tank was filling. I don't recommend doing the last part.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: Ron Sower on August 10, 2015, 10:13:03 AM
Quote from: GraphicGr8s on August 09, 2015, 09:35:41 PMMade sure the last tank to be filled was in the TV room so I'd watch TV while that last tank was filling. I don't recommend doing the last part.

Can you spell 0-v-e-r-f-l-o-w?
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 10, 2015, 04:42:49 PM
I've over flowed a 5 gallon bucket once because I was watching tv.....
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: LizStreithorst on August 10, 2015, 05:11:08 PM
Heck, I'm proud of myself when I don't flood the fish room a bit when I do a WC.  It  doesn't matter in the fish room, though.
Title: Re: tank structurally ability question
Post by: big b on August 10, 2015, 06:32:27 PM
Yeah it doesn't matter, because if it does flood, it can be an indoor pond :)