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Last update: November 14, 2023

Hands-on with the Aqueon Water Changer (Our review!)

Made inCanada
Length25 – 50 feet (extensions available)
Siphon tube10-inch long, 2-inch diameter (longer tubes available)

Today, we go hands-on with the Aqueon water changer, a handy device that will drastically cut down the time it takes for you to perform a water change!

Forget hauling heavy buckets of water back and forth through your house. The Aqueon water changer allows you to drain water directly from your tank to your sink and from your faucet to your tank.

I’m going to share my experience in an effort to answer one question:

Is the Aqueon water changer worth your money?

Before I continue, I want to stress that water changers come with a slight learning curve. If you have never operated an aquarium water changer before, read over our how to use an aquarium water changer guide. It will help you avoid common mistakes that many beginners make.

With that out of the way, let’s get on with the review!

What’s in the box

Brand new Aqueon aquarium water changer kit in packaging

The Aqueon water changer had the best-looking packaging of any we tested. It really stood out on the shelf of our local fish store – it just screamed ‘Buy me!’

But as they say, it’s what’s on the inside that counts…

Pieces that are included in Aqueon aquarium water changer system kit

Here’s what you will find inside your new Aqueon aquarium water changer kit:

  • Hose
  • Siphon tube
  • Water flow valve assembly
  • Faucet adapter

Everything you need except a kitchen sink!

The Aqueon water changer is available in two kits. The only difference between them is the length of the hose:

Simply measure the distance between your fish tank and faucet. Now all you need to do is pick whichever water changer will fit. If you find your required length is on the borderline, I recommend that you choose the next size up!

Design

The Aqueon water changer has a similar design to every other water changer on the market – essentially an extra-long gravel vacuum that connects to your faucet.

Let’s take you through the Aqueon water changer, piece by piece, starting with the end that goes inside your aquarium – the siphon tube.

Aqueon aquarium water changer siphon tube and handle with flow control

Use this to vacuum the gravel substrate of your aquarium while draining water from your tank at the same time.

An on/off switch located on the handle can be used to stop and start the flow of water.

Aqueon water changer tinted plastic tubing

As the water drains from your aquarium, it will begin its journey through at least 25 feet of hose…

Before it finally ends up at the flow assembly valve, which gets installed onto your faucet.

Aqueon water changer flow valve assembly that connects to faucet

Here, the water will flow out into your drain.

Combine all these parts together, and you have the Aqueon water change system.

Now all that’s left is to refill your tank!

Toggle the switch on the flow valve and turn your faucet on. Water will now flow back through all these pieces before finally emptying into your tank.

Simple, huh?

Replacement parts and accessories

The Aqueon water changer has two optional accessories available, each sold separately, to enhance your water changing experience.

18-inch siphon tube

Aqueon 18-inch siphon tube for water changer handle

Have a deep tank? You might find that the siphon tube that comes standard is too short to reach the bottom of your tank.

This leaves you in a bit of a pickle. If you want to keep your hands dry while you clean the gravel at the bottom of your tank, you have two options:

  1. Grab yourself a good pair of aquarium gloves
  2. Buy a longer siphon tube

Fortunately, Aqueon also sells a longer siphon tube. The siphon tube easily attaches to the handle of your Aqueon water changer, adding extra length for those of you who need it!

20-foot extension tubing

Aqueon 20-foot extension hose for aquarium water changer system

Just set up your Aqueon water changer only to discover it’s juuuuust too short to reach your tank?

Or, maybe you have moved to a new house and your water changer is now too short to reach your tank’s new location.

Don’t panic – simply attach this extension hose to your water changer for an extra 20 feet of reach!

What we liked…

Review verdict: What we liked about Aqueon aquarium water changer

1. It makes water changes easier

When it works, it really works.

Straight up, the Aqueon water changer makes routine water changes a breeze.

Forget making multiple trips back and forth from your kitchen sink with an overflowing bucket of water – using this water changer is comparatively effortless.

In fact, if I perform the same water change with a bucket and siphon, it would have taken 20 minutes longer than using the Aqueon water changer.

2. It’s affordable

The Aqueon offers the cheapest water changer system on the market. And given that fishkeeping can be a very expensive hobby, we appreciated the low price point.

3. A longer siphon tube

Aqueon’s water changer comes standard with the longest siphon tube of any water changer we tested.

… Sort of.

You see, while the gravel tube itself, measures a paltry 7 inches, the handle that it slides into adds an extra 6 inches to its length. That’s a total length of 13 inches.

For many of you, this will be more than long enough to reach the bottom of your aquarium.

What we didn’t like…

Review verdict: What we didn't like about the Aqueon aquarium water changer system

1. The flimsy plastic adapters

Out of all the water changers we reviewed, this was the only one to break on us.

Not once, but twice.

Seriously.

The plastic thread that connects the flow valve to our faucet stripped on our very first use.

Being used to the brass faucet adapter found on the Python water changer, I was unsure as to whether or not this was my fault – I may have overtightened the plastic fitting.

No biggie, I thought. I’ll just use one of the spares that we ordered for photos.

The second attempt was a success, and the fitting held up just fine. However, it did not remain that way for long.

Over the course of testing, we screwed and unscrewed the plastic adapter multiple times. By the end of testing, the plastic threads had worn down to the point that water was starting to leak during use.

It immediately became apparent why the other water changers use brass fittings – they are much more durable.

2. The twisting

It’s not something we noticed on our first few uses. But it soon became apparent – the hose of the Aqueon water changer kinked easier than the other water changers we tested.

There were countless times during testing when we had to stop to untwist the hose because water had gotten stuck.

3. The smell

Thanks, Aqueon. You stunk up our office.

Other water changers we tested had a slight odor when we first opened the packaging, but nothing like the eye-watering stench that the Aqueon water changer gave off.

I would go so far as to say if you have a sensitive nose, I would skip this altogether.

4. Limited tubing options

Sure, the Aqueon water changer might offer a generously sized siphon tube, but those of you with deeper tanks won’t be able to gravel vac your aquarium without getting your hands wet.

While Aqueon offers a larger siphon tube, sold separately, it only adds an extra 18 inches to the handle.

Considering that other water changers on the market offer siphon tubes up to 72 inches in length, the Aqueon water changer… err… falls short.

5. Limited replacement parts

While we appreciate that Aqueon sells replacement parts, not everything on the water changer is replaceable.

If the handle on the siphon tube breaks, you have no other choice but to buy an entirely new water changer.

Do you need an Aqueon water changer?

If you have a larger tank and want a device that will make your water changes easier then…

No.

In fact, based on our experience, you should probably steer clear of it.

There is no denying that Aqueon’s water changer saves time and effort when performing a weekly water change.

It’s just that another water changer outclassed it in every single way, the winner of our best aquarium water changer test

The Python water changer.

Unfortunately, the Python water changer, being such a high-quality product, made the flaws on every other water changer we tested extra-noticeable.

If you have never tried the Python water changer, then you might find the Aqueon water changer to be a good enough product.

But with flaws like fragile fittings, needing to unkink twisted hose, and that strong chemical smell, I find no reason to recommend it.

Don’t get me wrong, Aqueon is more than capable of making great aquarium products. Their Aqueon Pro is one of the best aquarium heaters available on the market.

Their water changer, on the other hand, misses the mark. And because of that…

I rate the Aqueon water changer 2 / 5 starfish.

Functional, but not great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still confused? Here are a few questions people often ask.

What is Aqueon Water Changer?

The Aqueon Water Changer is a tool designed to provide a smooth running of water-changing processes in aquariums, which helps to maintain the water quality by removing waste.

What Does Aqueon Water Conditioner Do?

It negates the chloramines and chlorine present in the tap water, making the water safe for the fish. Also, it reduces the stress on the fish as they adapt to their new home.

Is the Aqueon Water Changer Easy for Me to Use?

Yes, it is. The product’s package comes with user-friendly instructions on how to use the aqueon water Changer.

How Does the Aqueon Water Changer Clean Substrate?

The Aqueon Water Changer has a gravel tube you will place in the substrate. Once set, the siphon gets activated and starts sucking up the waste from the substrate, thereby effectively cleaning it.

Can Beginners Use Aqueon Water Changer?

Yes, they can. It is beginner-friendly and an excellent choice for novice aquarists.

Is it Suitable for All Aquarium Sizes?

The Aqueon Water Changer is flexible and can be used with various tank sizes. It comes in different siphon tube lengths, which allows you to choose the one that is best suited to the tank’s depth.

What do you think of the Aqueon water changer? Let me know in the comments below!

Ian Sterling

Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.

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