DanW's 187 SPS Dominated Reef Journal

[mpoletti]

Leo, I know that burder you are talking about. Water changes come and go with many. I have a routine that is built into our family life; Emma will many times walk up to me and ask to do a water change. I do water changes three weekends out of the month as I was battling the issues I have been. I used to do water changes every other week and I look forward to going back to that.

Dan, Since my tank is raised from the outside foundation, I just start the syphon and walk away. The water drains itself. Many times, Emma will gather the hose when we are all done and put it in a pile for me For me, a water change also give me a set time every week or so to inspect the tank and do some testing.

There are definitely more that one way to be successful in this hobby and that is why it is so rewarding

 

[DanW]

Unfortunately, my WCs are a little more difficult. I fill 5 gallon containers with RODI beginning Wednesday evening. Then by Friday I’ll have filled 4 containers, drag a barrel next to the tank and begin mixing the salt. Saturday morning, while the kids are sleeping, I first test the water and supplement as needed, and then using a power head I drain 20 gallons from the sump back into the 5 gallon containers and carry them to the utility sink in the garage. Complete my WC, clean-up and by that time the family is up and about. Not too bad but still a chore.

You’re right many different ways to be successful, I’m just trying to get past the first three letters :wildone:

 

[pookstreet]

Dan, why does it take you that long to make RODI? I've been having problems with my RODI until recently where the output was just dripping. Then I changed the RO membrane and it's doing fine now. I am actually going to add a second RO to increase production and lower the waste water ratio.

There are always other means to make your water changes simpler. You just need to evaluate your circumstances and see what's doable. Have you thought about getting some 55G barrels and putting them on wheels like a dolly? Just don't fill them all the way up so they'll be easier to move around. Then use a cheap pump like a Mag 7 or 9 with a long enough hose to pump the water all the way to your utility sink. When done draining, use the same pump to pump the make up water back into the tank.

Also, why would you supplement BEFORE you do your water change???

 

[mpoletti]

There are always other means to make your water changes simpler. You just need to evaluate your circumstances and see what's doable. Have you thought about getting some 55G barrels and putting them on wheels like a dolly? Just don't fill them all the way up so they'll be easier to move around. Then use a cheap pump like a Mag 7 or 9 with a long enough hose to pump the water all the way to your utility sink. When done draining, use the same pump to pump the make up water back into the tank.

Thats what I do Dan. My RODI is in my detached garage. I wheel it down the drive way and up my walkway. I use a mag 7 to pump into the sump and 45 minutes after I started, my water change is done. I used to do the bucket thing; no thank You

 

[DanW]

Dan, why does it take you that long to make RODI? I've been having problems with my RODI until recently where the output was just dripping. Then I changed the RO membrane and it's doing fine now. I am actually going to add a second RO to increase production and lower the waste water ratio.

There are always other means to make your water changes simpler. You just need to evaluate your circumstances and see what's doable. Have you thought about getting some 55G barrels and putting them on wheels like a dolly? Just don't fill them all the way up so they'll be easier to move around. Then use a cheap pump like a Mag 7 or 9 with a long enough hose to pump the water all the way to your utility sink. When done draining, use the same pump to pump the make up water back into the tank.

Also, why would you supplement BEFORE you do your water change???

I make about 10 gallons a night from the time I get home (around 6:30) till the time I go to bed (around 10:00). So it takes me two nights to make 20 gallons. I don't have a float switch or anything like that hooked up to the RODI filter/water container. We park both of our cars in the garage so there is not much room for anything else. I do use a brute (looking for a barrel after reading an article about the brutes) and a maxi-jet 1200 to mix, drain and fill. I supplement the newly mixed water up to my target parameters before the WC, test the display the next day and supplement the display as needed. I do really need to think about a simplified method of doing WCs though.

BTW how are the nudis doing for you?

 

[sowellj]

Dan ... I just moved from oregon to sc and am in the process of setting up a 180. I Hated doing WCs w/my tank in oregon, and it was only a 75. For the tank I am setting up now, I am doing automated continuous water changes using two persitaltic pumps. It is a bit spendy ... but when the only effort that is required will be to dump salt in a container ... that is well worth it for me. Anyway, just an idea for you.

 

[DanW]

Thats what I do Dan. My RODI is in my detached garage. I wheel it down the drive way and up my walkway. I use a mag 7 to pump into the sump and 45 minutes after I started, my water change is done. I used to do the bucket thing; no thank You

You guys are right, I need to rethink this and devise a new methodology. Since it's really not that bad I've just been lazy doing it the same way I've always done it.

 

[pookstreet]

You can always volunteer to park outside like I did :lol:

You should simplify as much as possible, otherwise, it becomes a chore and it will only drag you down. I am doing mostly every week now but sometimes longer. Once things settle down, I will go back to 2-3 weeks between water changes since I do about 60-80G each time.

I don't see any more aiptasia but I don't see the nudis either. I should try and track them down before they starve to death. I could use a handful in the sump.

 

[DanW]

Dan ... I just moved from oregon to sc and am in the process of setting up a 180. I Hated doing WCs w/my tank in oregon, and it was only a 75. For the tank I am setting up now, I am doing automated continuous water changes using two persitaltic pumps. It is a bit spendy ... but when the only effort that is required will be to dump salt in a container ... that is well worth it for me. Anyway, just an idea for you.

Dude, from Oregon to SoCal? Are you crazy? j/k Would love to be able to do somthing like that but the display is in our living room so no near access to drains or water. Welcome to SoCal, what city?

 

[DanW]

You can always volunteer to park outside like I did :lol:

You should simplify as much as possible, otherwise, it becomes a chore and it will only drag you down. I am doing mostly every week now but sometimes longer. Once things settle down, I will go back to 2-3 weeks between water changes since I do about 60-80G each time.

I don't see any more aiptasia but I don't see the nudis either. I should try and track them down before they starve to death. I could use a handful in the sump.

Ah the things we do for our reefs.:crazy1: Funny I see plenty of aptasia and no nudis. How many did you add? After reading the article in Reef Hobbiest (?) I'm thinking of throwing in a Klein's.

 

[pookstreet]

I added 6 to the little cube holding my refugee Acros. You can also try a bristletail filefish. To me, fish or shrimp are hit and miss. Because aiptasia is not their sole diet, they will always eat the easiest thing they can get to. And that most of the time will be the food that you feed the tank. I think the Aussie butterfly got a few of them in the 300 before he passed but he was always after the live blackworm and frozen brine/mysis.

 

[sowellj]

Dude, from Oregon to SoCal? Are you crazy? j/k Would love to be able to do somthing like that but the display is in our living room so no near access to drains or water. Welcome to SoCal, what city?

south carolina ... probably even a bigger change. As far as the pump system ... if you use peristaltic pumps, you can have your water change station remotely located.

 

[Dave's Reef]

Sorry water changes are such a hassle for you Dan... I was gonna say you should just use a Brute can and fill and mix there like I do but now you have me curious about the remark you make in one of the quotes above, "article about brutes"? Could you forward me a link to this, I've been using one for years and now I'm curious about what has you looking for a barrel vs. the brute can???

Anyway, if there's a way for you to do regular water changes, in my experience and many others, this is crucial to long term success. I do realize not everyone will agree with this and don't want to start a firestorm of debate here in your thread though....

Please let me know about the article when you can.

Thanks

 

[Dejavu]

I too would like a link to the Brute article.

 

[pookstreet]

I haven't read any publication proving anything, but I've heard that certain trash cans can leach PO4 into the water if it sits in the containers over a certain amount of time. Sorry I don't have anything more specific though. I personally use the 55G food grade drums. I hope that if it's safe for humans, it would be safe for our reefs too but I could be wrong.

 

[porthios]

this is probably what he was referring to. i swapped mine out for a pair of these..

 

[porthios]

for some reason, engineering a quick and easy method for changing water is one of my favorite parts of designing a new system. that said, i just can't seem to get off my *** to improve my current one . it takes me about 45mins to change ~200g but given a better drain i bet i could get it down to 15-20min. we'll see..

 

[DanW]

I hope that this is OK to post...

http://forum dot marinedepot dot com/Topic101230-9-1.aspx

Change the dot to .

Otherwise google "Beware Rubbermaid Trash Cans" in the Marine Depot Forum. Post (sorry not an article) is by Eric Borneman, pretty credible source.

 

[DanW]

this is probably what he was referring to. i swapped mine out for a pair of these..

Yup Jason, got to it before I did.

 

[DanW]

Sorry water changes are such a hassle for you Dan... I was gonna say you should just use a Brute can and fill and mix there like I do but now you have me curious about the remark you make in one of the quotes above, "article about brutes"? Could you forward me a link to this, I've been using one for years and now I'm curious about what has you looking for a barrel vs. the brute can???

Anyway, if there's a way for you to do regular water changes, in my experience and many others, this is crucial to long term success. I do realize not everyone will agree with this and don't want to start a firestorm of debate here in your thread though....

Please let me know about the article when you can.

Thanks

Nah Dave, not too bad. I really don't mind it but if there is an easier way to do it I'm all ears. Just haven't put much thought to it but will do so. I agree that water changes are essential; my schedule is ~15% every two weeks, except now as I try to straighten out my tank.