"SkyCatcher®" wrote in message
...
I would like to set up a BIG aquaria for rift valley cichlids i.e.
12ftx2ftx2ft. Is there some I could invest in up front that would save
labour time in the long run in doing water changes?



I'm not sure if it's everyones cup of tea, but when I started
getting back into aquaria again I was determined to do
weekly water changes. So I built a unit in the hall that has
room in it for two large 15 gallon open top water containers.

I then bought an electric pump intended for outside fountains
and hooked up some reinforced tubing to it.

So once a week I fill one of the tubs from the tap and turn on
the heater in it and leave it for 3 days or so to age and get up
to temperature.

Then I syphon water from the tank into the second container and
use the tank water to rinse filters in etc.

Then I pump the new water from the tub into the tank, and finally
pump the old water into the sink.

It all takes about 15 minutes on a Saturday, with no mess and no
physical lugging about of heavy buckets :-)

--
Edward Cowling - London - UK