Advice on performing a better water change

[wetbehindears]

For years i have used ro water added my salt to 1.25 and temp to match my display then let it mix for a few days and simply removed water from a sump then refiled.

Help me perform a better water change with out needing to use test kits.

Any tips are welcome (related to changing water)


just some info i have roughly 400 gallons total in my system and i do a monthly water change of 60 gallons.
I dose kalkwasser 24/7
i do not test kalk or alk, i do not test ph, i do not add anything else to my system other than frozen foods for my fish.


I have no iusses with my system but i would love to better myself and my system

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, you're "doing it right" in principal. Fill tank with RO, add salt, mix/heat. Then drain from display and replace with new.

I guess the best suggestion I can make is bigger hoses and pumps to make the transferring easier?

Edit: got pics?

 

[wetbehindears]

I have plumbing and valves in my system for a bucket and hoesless water change.

 

[tmz]

There are lot's of ways to run an aquarium largely dependenent on the individul reef keeprs preferences and routines.

A %15 water cahnge is is fine unless you have a bad batch of salt.. Much larger at one time might cause imbalnces in elements .
Once a month is ok . 15% per month is on the light side.though

.Personally, fwiw, I do 1% per day as part of my morning routine of testing dosing an feeding, plus another 10% or so during the course of the month related to maintence. . It's easier that way for me with a large system and it helps keep things nice and even, With small changes ;no heater is needed either. I keep a 20 gallon bin of mixed salt water going wit ha small power head and replenish it a bucket at a time as I use it.

If you'd like more about testing feel free to ask. Seems like your happy with what you are doing now, so I won't comment on that.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

I do 9 gallon ~5% wc 3 times over two weeks: Monday-Friday-Wednesday... No need to heat. I syphon detritus and refill. It doesn't take very long. My reservoir has a float valve connected to rodi so I simply open the valve on my ROdi line and walk away without overfilling. A small 303 ph with a length of tubing always connected simply gets moved in and out of the reservoir; once I forgot to move the tube back to the res and added about 5 gal fresh water before noticing the container wasn't filling, so this meathod isn't perfect.

 

[wetbehindears]

Thanks for the replies, i think i should do more frequent small water changed based on tmz. But testing is a issue with me cause while its smart and not much more time.

Testing for me isnt that easy seeing i have 2 pups one hound and a mut and not to mention a 3 week old son haha, so yeah im busy.

 

[cardiffgiant]

If you have or are planning on having a lot of coral, I don't see a way around testing (or killing corals ).

I don't test a lot. I test alkalinity at least 2-3 times per month, calcium 1-2 times per month, and magnesium 1-2 times over 2 months.

 

[GMaquarium]

With a little planing and plumbing you would be able to do water changes with switches and valves. Depending on what you want maybe even remotely. Doing water changes from work from the iPhone even.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I love doing a water change through an apex with a basement sump. I hit main pump off, wastepump on and it drains the sump. I have it coded for if main pump off then GFO/ATO & Skimmer off. Once drained. I hit new saltwater pump on and it fills it back up. Turn main pump on and done. I have done the water changes by watching the wireless cameras while out of town. Automation is the way to go. I can't imagine those crazy 80's when you had to do it all by hand.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

even if you only do it once a month

even if you only do it once a month

test test test!

Check alkalinity vs calcium and make any adjustments if necessary...
otherwise... over time.... levels will SKEW

 

[Eastamherstbias]

test test test!

Check alkalinity vs calcium and make any adjustments if necessary...
otherwise... over time.... levels will SKEW

+1

You should keep a log on excel. I "try" to do it every couple days.

 

[jpjr]

+1

You should keep a log on excel. I "try" to do it every couple days.

Very nice excel sheet! Love the graphs :thumbsup:

 

[tmz]

Since the discussion ahs shifted to testing, I'll note that I test a lot. Perhaps more than needed but I try to see problems before they show up in the animals or nuisance algae and cyano. The numbers motivate me for better or worse and I like to tweak some things from time to time . I just keep a composition tablet as a log with hand entries; not very pretty but adequate for me. . So, FWIW this approximates my testing routine:

PO4: daily via hanah 713 colorimeter
NO3: every week or two depending on whether I'm changing some dosing or feeding routine via Salifert test.
Alkalinity : twice per week via hanah checker
Sg/salinity: daily via conductivity monitor and/or refractometer.
Temp: daily plus
Calcium : monthly via salifert test kit
Magnesium: monthly via salifert test kit.
ORP( oxygen reduction potential); daily via Milwaukee monitor/controller.
Iron: monthly via Red Sea test kit.
K (potsssium) monthly via Red Sea test kit.
Iodine: monthly via Red Sea test kit.
TDS/ ro water: weekly via in line dual meter.