Getting better at water changes

[Fanof49ASU]

I used to check the salinity, heat the water and pour. Everything would react....most polyps would close.

This time, I dropped a pump into the water as soon as I got it. Added the heater yesterday, and just did the water change today.
Not a single polyp closed.

Not that important, but it apparently eases the tension on everything in the tanks.

FYI

 

[NeveSSL]

Yep... definitely.

Do you check the pH?

Brandon

 

[rsteagall]

I'm confused... I see a but everything you say sounds good.

 

[gsusfreak]

i dont even heat mine or check the ph.......i check the salt level, then let it sit for a day or two......and nothing in the tank has hated me yet

 

[Fanof49ASU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11513778#post11513778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rsteagall
I'm confused... I see a but everything you say sounds good.

Yeah.....I couldn't find the dumb@$$ icon.

Nah, I don't check ph....but probably should.

 

[Fanof49ASU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11513826#post11513826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gsusfreak
i dont even heat mine or check the ph.......i check the salt level, then let it sit for a day or two......and nothing in the tank has hated me yet

I didn't always heat mine.....but quickly learned it causes less stress/shock on the residents if I did.

 

[SRT80]

I fill my tank with water (29 gal.)
then add salt,
stir it with a stick,
then put in 3 power heads and a heater.

I let it mix/heat for at least 2 days.

Then on the water change day I test PH, Ammonia, Nitrates, Alk, and Calcium. My water change is always pretty much the same temp. as the main tank. I've been doin' it this way for awhile now.

Steve

 

[NeveSSL]

I don't check my pH either... but I think I'm gonna start soon.

Let me ask you guys this... when do you measure your salinity? How long after putting the salt in?

Brandon

 

[gsusfreak]

usually 24-48 hours.

 

[NeveSSL]

So if its low or high, do you adjust and wait another day?

Brandon

 

[SRT80]

I don't check the salinity til its mixed for 24 hours and will add FW if it's high. I check again before the water change. I do all the testing because when I first setup a SW tank....way before I knew about reefcentral and MTRC, I must have got a bad batch of IO salt from petsmart. I never tested it. But one day I did and it showed ammonia. I don't know? I also use to use drinking water from WalMart, was told it was fine, was RO.....anyways, I would poor a gallon in a bucket, poor the half cup of salt, stir til dissolved, then dump it in. I didn't know any better. Jason from stonesriveraquatics really helped me out alot and introduced me to reefcentral and MTRC.

Steve

 

[gsusfreak]

well....my saltbox is labled....1cup/2gallons (i usually put in a little more since the box says "to make salt level 1.23)....i usually try to put in a little more salt....so it'll be higher or around my tank's saltlevel....i usually get it right where i want it...1.25.....