Originally Posted by
Tshethar
So sorry to hear about your losses. That's terrible. Good of you to try to use your bad experience to counsel others who might be deciding how to get set up and thinking about what either they need to do, or they might be able to get away with.
For me, the aging barrel and the long hoses with pump are not that much fun. But one gets used to it, and it sure beats the alternative you describe. I added a sediment and carbon prefilter to my setup as well.
Brute trash cans work well, certainly in bathrooms and probably in closets too if there is some duct work blowing air in there or at least some ventilation. I use one with a lid on top of some rigid foam. Nice to keep them on tile or concrete if possible, as sooner or later some water ends up on the floor. They can be set up on rollers, too, though I just use a long python hose with mine.
I thought about using a more decorative rain barrel in the living room near or next to my tank. You can make those look like planters if you are more creative and motivated than I was. Willie's use of another aquarium works, too.
Personally, I don't get pH swing, but I do get winter microbubbles and have also had the dreaded seasonal issues with my water, maybe from extra chlorine or chloramine dosings from the town water folks, I don't know. But I have seen my fish in a bad way after a water change before, and for reasons I wasn't sure about. Not fun. I really like having the extra insurance that comes with the barrel, and would encourage newbies not to skip this step when planning things.