The Puffer Forum

I really need some advice. The extra work on my 30gal is causing a lot of physical pain. I have honestly spent the last 2 evenings with ice packs on my hands and fingers. I've never used a python because I honestly liked all of the "trouble" that it was to maintain a tank. Can you all please advise me how I can make this easier? I'm concerned because I'll be doing such large water changes every week. I know I could do a little each day but with what all I have going on it would be best if I could do it once a week.

If I used a python how on earth would I get the ocean salt in there? It would be awful if I can't get another puffer because I can't handle the physical work. Sure, I could get my son to help me but I don't want to depend on him.
This is my passion, he just wants to watch the fish and enjoy that.

Thanks A Lot, Beth

explain what it is you are doing...

how much water are you changing? How often?

What do you have in your tank, what size...?


sure we can figure out a better way of you doing this, but need to know the specifics first.


You really shouldn't be causing yourself pain, fish are supposed to be enjoyable, and although sometimes i'm knackered after a really big change... small frequent wc's are usually it's not a problem..

you could still do a weekly water change, but remove and replace the water in stages in smaller amounts, my girlfriend jugs out 1L at a time in to a 5 or 10 Litre bucket, tips it down the loo then comes back for another 5 or 10 litres and so on depending on how strong she's feeling that day. The replacement water goes back in to the tank in similar amounts, sure it takes a while longer to do than doing it all in one go, but the end result is the same with a lot less strain on the body.

The trick with refilling saltwater/brackish tanks with a python can be done mainly two ways. The first costs you a bit extra for hardware, but saves a lot of work. Pick up a nice, large Rubbermaid bin (from a local retail store). You're going to want a decent sized one, and the best would be one about the size of the fish tank itself (they aren't that expensive, which is the best part). I picked up a huge 30-35 gallon one for $8 a couple weeks ago! Now, you can also pick up a nice, big aquarium pump (used it probably best, since they are a lot cheaper), probably around 450-600 gph (someone can correct me if you don't need one this big), and a piece of flexible tubing for bathrooms/showers (get this at a hardware store for about $7 or so). Just make sure the flexible tubing is the same diameter (or will fit snuggly) on the pump. Then, you fill up the rubbermaid bin (I measured it out the first time with 2 gallon bucket-loads and marked it off with a Sharpie/tape) with water using the Python. Then you add in your salt (my measurement is 1/4 cup of marine salt per 2 gallons for an SG of 1.008, so you just have to write down what you added last time to get your desired SG) and dechlorinator, and stir it up with a big plastic spoon (one from a dollar store works great, just make sure it has no metal parts). After that, you put the pump into the bottom of the Rubbermaid bin, put the tubing up to the tank (ideally you have the bin in front of the tank, hehe), plug it in, and watch the water pump into the tank! If you're looking to ease your pain, this is your best bet. Use the Python to vacuum out the tank (which also removes the water you're going to replace), then use the pump to push the treated water into the aquarium. As long as you don't let the pump run dry, it should last you forever.

Just for a price comparison, someone was selling a used 660 gph pump for $45, which is probably a bit expensive. Overall, it shouldn't cost you all that much to get this system set up, and you'll find that it's a lot easier on the body. I use this method but without the pump, so I mix up everything into the Rubbermaid bin, and then just lift bucket-loads into the tank... but that's probably not the best method if the current systems are making your sore, hehe. This helps prevent the need to remove all the gravel for cleaning, which (in my opinion) is only part I find disgusting about fish tanks, namely because the gravel *always* smells awful. Haha!

Does this make sense? I realize I like to write novels... and I understand if people lose interest halfway through, hehe.

With a brackish tank under skimming range(which is really borderline low marine), I use a brine mixture and the python together. I mix all the salt needed for the entire change(you get to know this pretty well with time and can nail within .002 easily) into just 3 gallons of water, it takes a bit longer to dissolve, but if you use HOT water it actually only takes about 15 minutes to get it nearly 100% mixed to brine a few times stronger than seawater. I set this aside while pythoning the water out of the tank, to let it dissolve a bit more. Then, when I start refilling with the python, I pour the brine into the flow a half gallon or so at a time throughout the fill. Never caused a problem with the fish or the cycle, and MUCH easier than any other way I've tried brackish changes.

I've been scolded for this but it has worked for me for many, many years: I use a Python to drain & fill my BW tanks & pour the salt into the HOB filter to mix in there as it pours back into the tank, while the tank is filling with fresh water.

Wouldn't that kill the bacteria in your HOB filter, or is your HOB just for mechanical filtration?

I mix all the salt for my tank with water into a 5 gallon bucket. Then when I'm filling the tank with my python I slowly pour off the contents of the bucket into the tank. This way the salt is completely dissolved before adding it to the tank, and while it’s not perfect, the salt content doesn’t spike one way or another while filling.

Pre mix the total amount of salt in 1 bucket you will need for a water change. Then just refill fresh with the python and add the 1 bucket about halfway through. That shouldnt cause you any problems and only means you carrying 1 bucket of water to the tank.

I mix the salt into a 10 liter bucket. I have a little circulation pump that does the mixing for me, as I am a bit lazy. Then I put a heater into the bucket. I use a thing called In&Out (when it works. The new part lasted 1 1/2 weeks before it broke ) to take the water out of the tank (it's a good thing to use if you don't pay for the water you use. If you do pay for water, it's an awful lot of water wasted). Then I turn the water flow in that In&Out thing, and fill fresh water into the tank (no clorine in the water here ), and pour the saltwater into the tank at the same time. In tanks where I can't fill water directly from the tap, I fill water into large plastic containers, and use a large circulations pump (which can pump 1000 liters pr. hour) to pump the water into the tanks. If you are going to buy a pump to use like this, be sure to check how high it can lift the water before you buy it. Most pumps will have information on this, even though the information can be difficult to find sometimes (google is a nice thing ).

For brackish and salt tank, we make very salty brine in one bucket. Mix to correct SG/temp in another bucket and pump up to refill the tank.

Agnate wrote:Wouldn't that kill the bacteria in your HOB filter, or is your HOB just for mechanical filtration?

Nope, never caused a problem. I think it's because the salt is only in there for a few seconds.

My gosh, I can't thank you all enough for the advice. When someone gives out a call for help you all are there!

After reading your posts I'm confident that I can do this without so much pain. THANK YOU!

I'm sorry I vanished. My little one is sick and I'm dealing with teenage love with the oldest. Plus I've been working on the 30gal like some kind of maniac.

I've been on here late at night/ early morn. reading old posts but I was too tired to gab.

Big Hugs, Beth

what is teenage love?

Oh boy. My son just broke up with his girlfriend because she wanted a big commitment. I miss her so bad I can't hardly stand it. If he ever gets married he'd better never think about divorce. Well, unless I hate her.

Aren't you glad that's past? I sure am.

Jase wrote:what is teenage love?