Thanks for another gr8 video Only thing I’d add is When using pump method for water changes on tanks with shrimps or fry I put the pump inside a spare filter sock and cable tie it round the hose ,
Enjoy your videos and like how you present your info in a friendly manner to the viewers. I am into planted tanks and have never kept cichlids or intend to but I watch aquarium channels that are informative and entertaining and can see your channel continuing to grow as you put out more content and get more exposure associating with others such as Aquarium Co-Op.
Thanks Rod. That is very nice of you to say! That is my intent, so I am glad to hear that it is working! I have kept planted tanks, including a 65 gallon dirted South American tank that I had running until a few months ago when I got bored and swapped decor and fish. I very well may do planted tanks again in the future!
Hi Zenzo, I enjoyed your video and your tips! They were very helpful. I do use most of the same equipment you use for my own personal use on my 220 Malawi Hap tank. I am currently somewhat disabled and have thought about supplementing my income by starting an aquarium service, but I have a very bad back, shoulder, and knees. In fact, I have had 4 joint replacements and major surgeries all attributed to heavy weightlifting throughout my life up until my 50s. So the bottom line is that type of business would not work out for me. Anyways, as usual, great information and reinforcement that I'm doing it the most up to date and effective way.
Thanks for always watching Denny! I'm glad to hear that you use a lot of these tools, and that they are working for you. Yes...it is pretty physical at times, so it probably wouldn't suit you. Maybe you can get into something like breeding. You could sell some fish and enjoy the hobby without too much physical labor.
Thanks heaps mate for this video!! Being super new to this hobby, I was trying to figure out what's the correct way to refill a tank without killing beneficial bacteria with chlorine. When re-filling with a garden hose, straight into the tank, I use chlorine neutraliser and treat for the entire capacity of the tank, and then re-fill. I guess this way could still kill my bacteria? I'm gonna get a garbage bin and a pump now. Thanks for that tip.
Just started watching your vids...cool and very knowledgeable. Ive been keeping fish for 9 years now and still have my mishaps and learning curves, especially with new stuff coming out to DIY stuff.✌️
Nice video, bro. Very informational and just to piggy back what you said, the thicker the hose the faster the water flow. I had a 5/8 ID (in diameter) hose and upgraded to 1" ID and i saw a big difference.
Have been using a gravel vac for a year with a 125 and 55 drained them with a hose and refilled with buckets. But now I added 4 more tanks to start breeding African cichlids. Now I’m gonna use a pump and trash can for the first time tomorrow.
I use the python with extension hose on it run it out the door suck on end of hoes to start siphon get very strong siphon doing this. I use a telescoping window cleaner squeegee that has a sponge on one side squeegee on the other to clean the glass works great and you don't have to put your hands in the tank. Works great especially for huge tanks. I use prime water conditioner and followed your tip on putting it in your tank before you start filling it back up thanks for that tip makes a lot of sense and never had a problem. I have the cleaning kit that attaches to my fluval fx6 that uses the filter to clean the tank catches all the debris in a container on the hose and pumps the water back into your tank never used it though not very convenient time consuming. Thanks for all your tips you're one of the very few I trust.
+Doug Ferguson Hi Doug. The pumps have built in shrouds that prevent fish from getting sucked up. If I am using it in a tank with fry, I will put the pump inside of a net. A little more awkward, but it works. Thank you for watching!
Great video, I always try to use gravity to syphon tanks but some of the lower ones take so long... might need to employ the help of a pump to help save me some time.
Hi Zenzo, like your video ! please keep them coming, I am thinking about establishing my own aquarium maintenance business, so I am wondering how you rate your service - is it by dollar per gallon, or by dollar per hour ?
Thank you! I am not sure what you mean by "standard water change". If you are referring to me just pumping water out vs doing a substrate vacuum, there is a difference. The pump is just removing water and whatever debris is floating in the water column, while the gravel vac is picking up debris from the substrate in addition to removing water. I hope that answers your question.
Quick question, I have a 75 with juvenile cichlids, I have a ehiem 250 and 350. The 350 is chemical filter media ie sponge, poly fiber and carbon. The 250 is sponge and bio media balls. How does that sound to y’all? Thanks
That's such a good idea, so glad I saw this before I doled out the money for a $100 Python! On top of the initial expense of needing the longest one they sell, the way my place is set up I'm 99.99% sure I would've been stuck leaving the water on the entire time.
True because I saw this to late and already bought the biggest python and I can’t really use it to drain or vacuum the hose is just to long and doesn’t have enough pressure I guess from my faucet.
thanks for the video. Im interested in this but it seams there is so much more than i thought at first. Are there any books you would suggest to a newbie?
I love the python. Works great. For the beginners One important thing when using it when you refill the tank is to make sure to add some de-chlorinator to the tank. Unlike when you use a bucket and add it to each bucket. Does the entire amount or the tank. I use prime and it works. One time I was in a hurry and forgot. The fish started gasping for air at the surface. Luckily I caught in time so no casualties!
Great video. How do you gravel vac? I'm figuring you can't do that with the pumps? I never thought of using a pump. I wanna get one. But I don't know how to use a gravel vac with one. Any info would be appreciated. Keep up the good work.
I just found your channel. Very nice & I subbed. Question: Do you have to worry about cross contamination, with your trashcan (for example) or other pumps/hoses going from location to location? Thanks!
Tazawa Tanks I went back and watched it all the way through. I am setting up a fish room and wanted some way to drain my tanks to something outside ( out a window) to water all my flowers with, but I can't drill my tanks and and run a auto drain/ fill system. So I think I have found out that I can do it with one of these pumps. What do you do to keep from cross contamination between each tanks ( your tanks)?? Thank you for sharing 👍
Hi Jena! I am glad that this may be an option for you. With my own personal tanks, I am not concerned as much with cross contamination, because all of my fish have gone through the same quarantine and medication treatment (I am using Cory's preferred cocktail of E.M., GC and Ich X). With customer tanks, I sterilize equipment. I used to use hot water and vinegar, but have now moved to a hot water and bleach solution.
Great video man!! I have a question tho. I usually use the python syphon on my 125, but I also have a 15 inch pleco and I'm having trouble picking up his waste. I also own an eheim vac pro but that doesn't help either What do you recommend that is gonna be able to pick up that type of waste.
I saw you on aquarium coop video and I'm definitely going to subscribe, also good tips here, i have smaller tanks 29 gallon being my largest so i use buckets but i would love to get python
+cichlid guru Thank you! As far as lighting, 10,000k will show color in your fish more (more blue), and 6500k will be more like daylight. If you have plants I would go with 6500. I'm guessing no plants in with your Africans though.
Got any tips for cleaning glass- specifically glass tops that constantly get water on the underside due to high water levels but also the exterior glass? I always have trepidation about using a glass cleaner even if i take care to spray the rag instead of the glass.
+paparker21 I use a vinegar and water solution, coupled with a soft scrubber. If you take of the lids and spray them with vinegar, let it soak in for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub and rinse. It should work well. There is also a product that I believe is called the Barkeepers Friend. I have not used it though.
Curious how you regulate the water temperature going back in the tank? Also, do you mix your dechlorinator and water conditioners in a small bucket and add to tank before using tap water?
I temperature-match the water when refilling. Years ago I would actually use a thermometer to match. Now I go by feel. I add dechlorinator as I’m refilling (directly into the tank).
Hi Andrew. That is a great question. It really depends on the job and what I had to do. Because the service business is a secondary source of income and not my primary job, I mostly will do one or two jobs in day (evening). Because I have two pumps, if I happen to have two jobs in a row, I can use one per job. Once home in the fishroom, I sanitize my equipment. Previously I was using a hot water and vinegar solution, but now I am using hot water and bleach instead.
+Andrew Lohman Yep. I fill a bucket with a bleach solution and then run the pumps (circular - out and back in). After doing this for about 15 minutes, I pump out of the bucket, continually filling with fresh water. I'll make a video sometime to show.
I have a difficult time doing aquarium tests using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit because it is difficult filling the test tube up to the line and the colors are also difficult to see. Any suggestions on what I can do? I have around 7 tanks.
+MrSunmaid I had the dechlorinator as I am adding water back into the tank. As soon as I begin refilling I will pour it in. If it is a big tank, I often will do it in two parts.
Thank you! No, it isn't my full-time job. I suppose you could make a living servicing tanks if you were doing it five days per week, and servicing 3-5 per day. That would be a lot of tanks though...and A LOT OF WORK! If you had your customers getting serviced every two weeks, you would need at least 40 customers.
So what I do is I get a bucket and siphon the aquarium then I put a pump inside the bucket and let the pump run to the tub and I just siphon the gravel after that I throw the extra water that the pump couldn't pick up then I do the opposite when I fill the tank I simply use 2 methods in one, anyone can do this method !
Thanks for another gr8 video
Only thing I’d add is
When using pump method for water changes on tanks with shrimps or fry I put the pump inside a spare filter sock and cable tie it round the hose ,
Thanks for the great info! Really appreciate you sharing your time-saving tips for cleaning aquariums.
Im a big fan!!
Enjoy your videos and like how you present your info in a friendly manner to the viewers. I am into planted tanks and have never kept cichlids or intend to but I watch aquarium channels that are informative and entertaining and can see your channel continuing to grow as you put out more content and get more exposure associating with others such as Aquarium Co-Op.
Thanks Rod. That is very nice of you to say! That is my intent, so I am glad to hear that it is working! I have kept planted tanks, including a 65 gallon dirted South American tank that I had running until a few months ago when I got bored and swapped decor and fish. I very well may do planted tanks again in the future!
Hi Zenzo, I enjoyed your video and your tips! They were very helpful. I do use most of the same equipment you use for my own personal use on my 220 Malawi Hap tank. I am currently somewhat disabled and have thought about supplementing my income by starting an aquarium service, but I have a very bad back, shoulder, and knees. In fact, I have had 4 joint replacements and major surgeries all attributed to heavy weightlifting throughout my life up until my 50s. So the bottom line is that type of business would not work out for me. Anyways, as usual, great information and reinforcement that I'm doing it the most up to date and effective way.
Thanks for always watching Denny! I'm glad to hear that you use a lot of these tools, and that they are working for you. Yes...it is pretty physical at times, so it probably wouldn't suit you. Maybe you can get into something like breeding. You could sell some fish and enjoy the hobby without too much physical labor.
Love the pump method for getting water out of tank faster. I will try it. Thx for the great content.
Won’t make fun of you brother, your a very sincere person and I appreciate your help and knowledge!!!! Can’t wait to get your shirts!!!!!!💪🏽
They are on the way! Thanks for ordering!
Thanks heaps mate for this video!! Being super new to this hobby, I was trying to figure out what's the correct way to refill a tank without killing beneficial bacteria with chlorine. When re-filling with a garden hose, straight into the tank, I use chlorine neutraliser and treat for the entire capacity of the tank, and then re-fill. I guess this way could still kill my bacteria? I'm gonna get a garbage bin and a pump now. Thanks for that tip.
Just started watching your vids...cool and very knowledgeable. Ive been keeping fish for 9 years now and still have my mishaps and learning curves, especially with new stuff coming out to DIY stuff.✌️
Nice video, bro. Very informational and just to piggy back what you said, the thicker the hose the faster the water flow. I had a 5/8 ID (in diameter) hose and upgraded to 1" ID and i saw a big difference.
Just started keeping fish so many thanks for all the instructional vids there cool as, much love from the UK my fishy friend
P.s. I also powerlift OUSH!!!!
+Mark Goodwin Great to hear Mark! I’m glad you are finding my videos useful!
Excellent presentation.
Great Video Zenzo! Lots of great tips I would not have thought of 👍
Thanks Nick!
Have been using a gravel vac for a year with a 125 and 55 drained them with a hose and refilled with buckets. But now I added 4 more tanks to start breeding African cichlids. Now I’m gonna use a pump and trash can for the first time tomorrow.
I use the python with extension hose on it run it out the door suck on end of hoes to start siphon get very strong siphon doing this. I use a telescoping window cleaner squeegee that has a sponge on one side squeegee on the other to clean the glass works great and you don't have to put your hands in the tank. Works great especially for huge tanks. I use prime water conditioner and followed your tip on putting it in your tank before you start filling it back up thanks for that tip makes a lot of sense and never had a problem. I have the cleaning kit that attaches to my fluval fx6 that uses the filter to clean the tank catches all the debris in a container on the hose and pumps the water back into your tank never used it though not very convenient time consuming. Thanks for all your tips you're one of the very few I trust.
Very useful tips - Thanks! Do your pumps have some sort of screen to prevent sucking in small fish or fry?
+Doug Ferguson Hi Doug. The pumps have built in shrouds that prevent fish from getting sucked up. If I am using it in a tank with fry, I will put the pump inside of a net. A little more awkward, but it works. Thank you for watching!
Great video, I always try to use gravity to syphon tanks but some of the lower ones take so long... might need to employ the help of a pump to help save me some time.
Yes, pumps are great for this very thing. I hope it works out for you!
Love your channel. I am waiting for it to really take off.
Thank you! That means a lot to me! I hope my channel takes off too!
Hi Zenzo, like your video ! please keep them coming, I am thinking about establishing my own aquarium maintenance business, so I am wondering how you rate your service - is it by dollar per gallon, or by dollar per hour ?
Great vid bro. Question... what is the difference between a standard water change and a gravel or sand bed vaccume?
Thank you! I am not sure what you mean by "standard water change". If you are referring to me just pumping water out vs doing a substrate vacuum, there is a difference. The pump is just removing water and whatever debris is floating in the water column, while the gravel vac is picking up debris from the substrate in addition to removing water. I hope that answers your question.
Excellent tips! Love the garbage can tip
Quick question, I have a 75 with juvenile cichlids, I have a ehiem 250 and 350. The 350 is chemical filter media ie sponge, poly fiber and carbon. The 250 is sponge and bio media balls. How does that sound to y’all? Thanks
That's such a good idea, so glad I saw this before I doled out the money for a $100 Python! On top of the initial expense of needing the longest one they sell, the way my place is set up I'm 99.99% sure I would've been stuck leaving the water on the entire time.
True because I saw this to late and already bought the biggest python and I can’t really use it to drain or vacuum the hose is just to long and doesn’t have enough pressure I guess from my faucet.
thanks for the video. Im interested in this but it seams there is so much more than i thought at first. Are there any books you would suggest to a newbie?
Great tips...When you do a water change for a commercial account, do you use Safe, Prime or Stress coat when you refill it??
Thanks! I use Prime when I am service customer tanks. I use Safe and Prime at home.
Good one Zenzo! Very helpful
Silent Lary Thanks again!
What about adding Dechlorinators and other things needed for tank changes?
Thanks for useful information shared
I love the python. Works great. For the beginners One important thing when using it when you refill the tank is to make sure to add some de-chlorinator to the tank. Unlike when you use a bucket and add it to each bucket. Does the entire amount or the tank. I use prime and it works. One time I was in a hurry and forgot. The fish started gasping for air at the surface. Luckily I caught in time so no casualties!
Great video. I have the same trash can. It helps a lot.
Thank you!
loving all your videos
I use the dirty water for watering indoor/outdoor plants. 👍🏻
Awesome videos. Thank you for posting!
Great video. How do you gravel vac? I'm figuring you can't do that with the pumps? I never thought of using a pump. I wanna get one. But I don't know how to use a gravel vac with one. Any info would be appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Thanks. I use a vac to get any debris that didn't get sucked up by my filters. It is usually only about a 1/2 bucket.
Nice tips zenzo. Might be at the pcca this Saturday. You going?
+Thomas Medina Thanks bro. Yeah, I plan on being there!
Thank you for this very interesting and informative video!
Nice vid and great tips
I just found your channel. Very nice & I subbed. Question: Do you have to worry about cross contamination, with your trashcan (for example) or other pumps/hoses going from location to location? Thanks!
Here from Aquarium Co-op. Subbed you 😊.
+Jena Tucker That's awesome! Thanks Jena!
Tazawa Tanks I went back and watched it all the way through. I am setting up a fish room and wanted some way to drain my tanks to something outside ( out a window) to water all my flowers with, but I can't drill my tanks and and run a auto drain/ fill system. So I think I have found out that I can do it with one of these pumps. What do you do to keep from cross contamination between each tanks ( your tanks)?? Thank you for sharing 👍
Hi Jena! I am glad that this may be an option for you. With my own personal tanks, I am not concerned as much with cross contamination, because all of my fish have gone through the same quarantine and medication treatment (I am using Cory's preferred cocktail of E.M., GC and Ich X). With customer tanks, I sterilize equipment. I used to use hot water and vinegar, but have now moved to a hot water and bleach solution.
Tazawa Tanks ok, thanks! I am actually changing my method of hot water and vinegar to hot water and bleach solution today.
Great video man!! I have a question tho. I usually use the python syphon on my 125, but I also have a 15 inch pleco and I'm having trouble picking up his waste. I also own an eheim vac pro but that doesn't help either What do you recommend that is gonna be able to pick up that type of waste.
A regular gravel vac and a bucket just to clean up the Pleco waste.
Thank you !!
I saw you on aquarium coop video and I'm definitely going to subscribe, also good tips here, i have smaller tanks 29 gallon being my largest so i use buckets but i would love to get python
Thanks for subscribing Patche!
Thanks bro for all the information.
Nice vid sir .Can you tell me what's the best light for 125 gallon African cichlid tank .10000k or 6500k
+cichlid guru Thank you! As far as lighting, 10,000k will show color in your fish more (more blue), and 6500k will be more like daylight. If you have plants I would go with 6500. I'm guessing no plants in with your Africans though.
Tazawa Tanks .thanks so much sir
Nice video. I just gravity drain my 55 gallon tank takes me 12.5 min to drain it in half. I just use a garden hose t connection to the lawn
Enjoyed your tips
I gravel vac my aquarium right outside my widow, into the garden. I only use buckets on the lower tanks.
Got any tips for cleaning glass- specifically glass tops that constantly get water on the underside due to high water levels but also the exterior glass? I always have trepidation about using a glass cleaner even if i take care to spray the rag instead of the glass.
+paparker21 I use a vinegar and water solution, coupled with a soft scrubber. If you take of the lids and spray them with vinegar, let it soak in for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub and rinse. It should work well. There is also a product that I believe is called the Barkeepers Friend. I have not used it though.
Great job
Curious how you regulate the water temperature going back in the tank? Also, do you mix your dechlorinator and water conditioners in a small bucket and add to tank before using tap water?
I temperature-match the water when refilling. Years ago I would actually use a thermometer to match. Now I go by feel. I add dechlorinator as I’m refilling (directly into the tank).
How do you reheat the freshwater you’re putting back into the tank
Pumps are a back saver 👍
How do you sanitize the pumps between jobs or tanks to avoid contamination?
Hi Andrew. That is a great question. It really depends on the job and what I had to do. Because the service business is a secondary source of income and not my primary job, I mostly will do one or two jobs in day (evening). Because I have two pumps, if I happen to have two jobs in a row, I can use one per job. Once home in the fishroom, I sanitize my equipment. Previously I was using a hot water and vinegar solution, but now I am using hot water and bleach instead.
Tazawa Tanks awesome. Thank you. Good to know. Do you do any flushing of the pumps to get rid of the residual bleach?
+Andrew Lohman Yep. I fill a bucket with a bleach solution and then run the pumps (circular - out and back in). After doing this for about 15 minutes, I pump out of the bucket, continually filling with fresh water. I'll make a video sometime to show.
great info!
Nice one!
Thanks! Much appreciated as always!
Great info, thanx!!!
I have a difficult time doing aquarium tests using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit because it is difficult filling the test tube up to the line and the colors are also difficult to see. Any suggestions on what I can do? I have around 7 tanks.
you can use a dropper or just put the vile in the aquarium to fill. I don't have advice on the colors though.
Liked your content! Subbed :)
Thank you!
I have a pond pump from an old sump. Never thought of using it for changing water. Thanks for the tip.
Great content
You're an expert ;)
I wish! LOL! Thank you!
When you refill the tank with tap water how and when do you add the dechlorinator water conditioner?
+MrSunmaid I had the dechlorinator as I am adding water back into the tank. As soon as I begin refilling I will pour it in. If it is a big tank, I often will do it in two parts.
When using a water changer, how do you add the water conditioner?
I add it directly into the tank as I am refilling.
Good man.
Good stuff! New sub.
+H.C. Aqua Thank you!
You're a pro
Another great video! Is this your full time job? Is it possible to make a living just doing aquarium maintenance service?
Thank you! No, it isn't my full-time job. I suppose you could make a living servicing tanks if you were doing it five days per week, and servicing 3-5 per day. That would be a lot of tanks though...and A LOT OF WORK! If you had your customers getting serviced every two weeks, you would need at least 40 customers.
You've won me over to the moving trash can. I feel bad about all the water going down the sink.
Doing 55gal was so tiring and starting up lol finally got the python 15 mins done
I’m sure you re busy but i really need your guidance
I used the hose frm out side
So what I do is I get a bucket and siphon the aquarium then I put a pump inside the bucket and let the pump run to the tub and I just siphon the gravel after that I throw the extra water that the pump couldn't pick up then I do the opposite when I fill the tank I simply use 2 methods in one, anyone can do this method !
+Alex // Minecraft videos That is a good method. I've done that on occasion and works well for me sometimes.
the faucets in my house will not accomadate any of the adaptors with the python
I went to ace hardware and bought one that works with the python and accommodates my faucet as well it was like five or 6 dollars.
Harbor Freight has those small pumps for next to nothing.
💪😊