Helpful hints and useful cheap gadgets

[Euphylliaphyle]

I have a 36 gallon tank holding 30 gallons of water. I do a 5 gallon water change every two weeks, about 17%. I started out by lifting the new water bucket onto a step ladder so the bottom of the bucket was above the tank waterline, and siphoning into the tank. That was not destined to last!

I found this tiny transfer pump on Amazon for under $30:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0F2DPRHY5/
Now, I set up the new water (aerated, salinity and temperature-matched) in a white 5 gallon bucket on a small cart I built for the purpose with non-marking casters. Along side of this is an empty white 5 gallon bucket. Since I am using white buckets, I can see the waterline in each easily. I use the above pump to fill the empty bucket with outgoing aquarium water to match the level in the new water bucket, less a tiny bit so I don't pump any solids at the bottom of the new water into the tank. Then I switch pump hose ends and buckets to pump nearly the exact same amount of replacement water into the tank. The entire process takes just a few minutes, and this saves a lot of lifting. I did a water change today while (mostly) seated and didn’t spill a drop.

What have you come up with to make reef upkeep easier and/or cheaper? (I'd rather spend my money on new corals!)

 

[Rob A]

I use this pump it is made for water changes You can use a squeeze clamp to adjust the flow.

Also harbor freight clamps come in handy

hygger 215 GPH Quick Water Change Aquarium Pump they are 18 bucks on amazon