Water Change - Pump Vs Pour

[NeonTetra97]

When adding water to your aquarium after a water change how do you do it? Do you pour the water in out of a bucket or use a siphon or an electric pump to get the water into your tank. The reason I ask this is because I was wondering if tipping a load of water in as apposed to doing it slowly would stress the fish. Any tips or tricks to add water in a way that's considerate to fish would be a massive help! Thanks

 

[b3cca]

I got the python water changing thing for my Birthday.
 
Actually my harlies and cherry barbs love when I put the water back in they play around and mess in the water stream lol.
 
Of course if you wanted to reduce flow and disruption then simply angle the hose/bucket against the side of the glass or onto a large ornament or something similar I guess.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Adding it more slowly is best, IMHO.  I use a hose connected to my kitchen faucet... this allows me not to have to worry about getting the temp just right... as the heater is on, so as the water is added slowly, the heater starts to warm it.
 
 
The temp in my tank will drop a few degrees during a water change...

 

[attibones]

Since I don't have a new fangled python (but I waaaant one), I use a bucket. I match the temp first, which is really easy in summer, dechlor the bucket, and slowly pour the water over the largest ornament or as slowly as I can for a planted tank. I've also used a cup to dip water out of the bucket.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I use a small jug to transfer the water from the bucket to the tank and I then poor it into a small dish so I don't disrupt the gravel.

 

[NeonTetra97]

Wow I just looked at the Python water changer, it looks really good! Thanks for the help everyone, I think I'm going to be ordering a Python very soon! One question though, how do you dechlorinate the water if your using the Python or a hose straight from the tap?

 

[Livewire88]

Hello, 
 
Every Sunday morning I do my 50% water change, I just use a bucket and pour the water on to the cross brace that runs across the middle of the tank. This breaks the water up so that nothing in the tank is disturbed, I cant say if the fish mind or not because I cant see them when the lights are off. But as soon as I finish and the lights turn on the fish seem as happy as usual. 
 
Using a 25litre water container I fill the bucket 3 times, then refill the 25litre agian then again ect, I can do a 50% water change on my tank in around 25 mins. When I get to old for lugging buckets around I will invest in a python system. 

 

[fluttermoth]

Wow I just looked at the Python water changer, it looks really good! Thanks for the help everyone, I think I'm going to be ordering a Python very soon!

One question though, how do you dechlorinate the water if your using the Python or a hose straight from the tap?

You add enough dechlorinator for the whole tank's volume (some of it gets bound up by organic substances that are present in the tank, but not in the tap water) before you start refilling.

 

[Kaz2374]

I have done the bucket water change when I lived with my parents now I have a tank of my own I invested in a Python  its the best money can buy and the fish seemed to have a great time when I filled the tank up again after the 20% water change I done, If I have to choose it would be the Python (syphon) system hands down, they are not the cheapest in the world but I believe that the price you pay you get back with the ease of the gravel cleaning/water changes but remember that as you are using tap water to de-chlorinate the water!  

 

[Nordk]

I syphon it back in from a half gallon jar.