Aquarium Decoration (Rocks, Plants and Substrates) • Redoing my dad's tank for Father's Day

[DJRansome]

do they make attachments for multiple sinks?

Or do you mean different attachments in case you are using the Python with 2 different faucets (but still one at a time)?

I have only one faucet in my house that easily screws onto the Python, so I just use a 50 foot hose and it can reach all the tanks, no matter where in the house they are. The faucet is on the basement level and the tanks are one floor up...no problem pumping up the stairs.

[bwestgsx06]

Ya I meant two different faucets for an upstairs tank as well...

[DJRansome]

Attach to one faucet and get a long hose. That way once you have the water running at the right temp you just move from tank to tank. Up or down the stairs is no problem.

[bwestgsx06]

Ok thanks for all the help guys. I think our plan will be ok. As for the water changer - I came
Across the aqueon product and the shut off
Valves SUCK. Any way to make them better? I used it on my
Own tank to test it out. The suction was decent and flow was ok
But that was with water running at the faucet constantly ( I did not
Like this either). His tank is next to one faucet so won't have to worry about multiple attachments once I find the right one.

[lilscoots]

As long as the tank is above the level of the drain, you can start the suction with the sink water turned on and once the water from the tank has reached the sink turn the faucet off, gravity will do the rest. After I cracked the valve on my python I just use the hose (removed from the valve thing) and let it siphon on it's own I've got to prime it (suck really hard for a second) and then it drains on it's own as long as the drain is lower than the tank. I don't use the python to fill my tanks anymore but for filling, since it sprayed water everywhere once I flipped the valve, I just put a thick washcloth over it and once it got plenty wet it would keep the water from spraying anything.

[bwestgsx06]

Sounds like quite a mess ...

[lilscoots]

it was, which is why i don't use it to fill my tanks anymore, but I still use the siphoning part to remove the water

[DJRansome]

I think the spraying is the exception rather than the rule. Never happened to me in 7 years...knock on wood.

[lilscoots]

I've heard they break like mine did, maybe I overtightened the thing or tried to run too much pressure through, but it split at the seam, while it worked it was fantastic.

[bwestgsx06]

how does my original plan sound? any recommendations by anyone who's switched from gravel to sand in an existing tank?

[DJRansome]

Since this tank hasn't been maintained too well in the past, there is the possibility that the complete project you have in mind may cause some problems with the fish. I'd recommend testing the existing tank for pH and NitrAte at a minimum. You may have to do multiple 20% water changes over a few days to avoid losing any fish.

This is good advice, have you been able to do any of this pre-work?

[bwestgsx06]

Unfortunately no - I don't live in the same state so it'll have to take place I get there. I can have
My dad or my brother test the parameters tho.

[Deeda]

Is there any chance they could do at least 5 or 10 gallon water changes per day before you get there?

[bwestgsx06]

Ya probably - ill ask my brother to.

[zquattrucci]

as long as you have a filter astablished you will be good dont be scared just do it