Thread on Water Changes

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I make up 88 gallons of water in two connected 44 gallon Brute cans, and then use it to automatically change 1% of the water slowly each day using a dual head Reef Filler pump.

I discuss water changes here:


Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

 

[Bilk]

I live in south orange county san clemente beach can i really just go down to the beach and get my salt water or should i just stay with getting it from my LFS

I think collecting water from the coast is risky. Lots of runoff from the land and fresh water sources and may contain not only lots of nutrients but pesticides and other chemicals that wouldn't be good for your tank. JMO

 

[liz62]

I make up 88 gallons of water in two connected 44 gallon Brute cans, and then use it to automatically change 1% of the water slowly each day using a dual head Reef Filler pump.

I discuss water changes here:


Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

How much are you removing, over what time period, and on what size tank?

It is such a closed system that removing SW without turning off the main pump I would think it would cause problems with skimmer pump and/or return pump sucking air?

 

[tkeracer619]

Can i use natural salt water from the ocean for my water changes ?????

If you can find a place that is far enough from civilization and can collect it as the tide is moving in you should be just fine.

 

[sanchoy]

I guess it really varies depending on your system.

In mine i have alot of fish. My bio-load is high. Thus i do a higher Water change then the norm.

-2-3 gallons of evaporation per day
-80 gallon water change every 2 weeks
-Skimmer collects alot of waster per day/ goes in the same as evaporation category

 

[sabbath]

I do a 40 gallon water change every 3-4 months. Tank goes through 3 gallons a day of evaporation. 180G SPS reef.

Are you thinking that evaporation is a form of water changes?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How much are you removing, over what time period, and on what size tank?

It is such a closed system that removing SW without turning off the main pump I would think it would cause problems with skimmer pump and/or return pump sucking air?

It is very slow. The pump I use is rated at 30 gallons per day, and I run it a few hours to change out ~3 gallons per day spread over about 10 x 15 minute periods during the day and night via a timer. There is no change in the water level as the in and out are simultaneous.

 

[acropora1981]

I do 5g every 2-3 weeks on my SPS dominant 28g JBJ NanoCube and my 20 gallon soft coral tank.

I store my water in 7 gallon camping jugs from WalMart, and make it using an AquaFX RO/DI. I mix my water in 5 gallon salt buckets using a koralia 750 and a 100W heater, mixed to 35 ppt on a refractometer. I let it mix usually at least 2 hrs, or whenever I find time to do the actual water change (sometimes 24-48 hrs later if I get busy with life).

My tanks are bare bottom so I do water changes to siphon out the detritus that collects in the lower flow areas of the tanks.

 

[firebirdude]

15% every other week.

 

[hankzilla]

10% every week this year from 15% every two weeks previous 3 years. Big improvement on growth rate in sps for me. 115 gal tank water change from grey 15gal brute.

 

[Catchoftheday]

If you can find a place that is far enough from civilization and can collect it as the tide is moving in you should be just fine.

thanks i collected 20 gal of natural sea water and i did some test on it befor i i add it to my DT and all is good

 

[bobbychullo]

thanks i collected 20 gal of natural sea water and i did some test on it befor i i add it to my DT and all is good

how far off the coast? you wanna get it from off shore a bit.

I recommend you read this thread for info, there's info about using NSW scattered throughout it. you may be ok but you may also run the risk of adding pests and other stuff to your tank.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541355

be aware that the NSW collected up in Santa Barbara is filtered and pulled from off shore, cant remember exactly how far but its in that thread. i dont think it is running at this point either.

 

[skidoll]

I use 2, 20g rubbermaid trashcans. My R/0 water is stored in a 57g food-grade barrel. I do 10g water changes once a week on my 120g tank. All I do is siphon fresh R/O water in one can, heat it, mix it with a koralia 1400, then use a pump with connected hose & clip it to sump. Then I have a siphon from DT to empty trashcan. Its done in a matter of minutes. So so glad I bought an ro system! No more buying water, no more lugging mult 5g jugs!

 

[stevedola]

there is NO way I would ever have a reef tank without an RODI filter.

 

[rick12]

wondering if two aqua lifters on one timer would do the trick...or would it be risky?

How much are you removing, over what time period, and on what size tank?

It is such a closed system that removing SW without turning off the main pump I would think it would cause problems with skimmer pump and/or return pump sucking air?

It is very slow. The pump I use is rated at 30 gallons per day, and I run it a few hours to change out ~3 gallons per day spread over about 10 x 15 minute periods during the day and night via a timer. There is no change in the water level as the in and out are simultaneous.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My primary concern would be how well two aqualifters can be matched when the head pressures are likely different.

 

[mwilliams62]

Thread on Water Changes

Can i use natural salt water from the ocean for my water changes ?????

Is a big NO NO... Unless you are going out on a boat pretty far out to collect the water.... All the water is contaiminated from chemicals and stuff along the beach areas. It is best to make your own.

 

[firstlight10]

I do 3-4 gallons a week in my 20 gallon mixed reef. Mixed with a power head, I keep 5 gallons RO on hand for top off. I am debating about switching back to the same amount every other week as my soft corals grew better when I did that. I use instant ocean and daily 2 part dosing.

 

[kv2wr1]

I used to do 20% weekly on my 40b w/ 20g sump. Now I do 20% biweekly and the corals have grown quite considerably more. It seems to be less stressful on everything as well.

 

[eums]

I fill up a 15 gal rubbermade trash can every 4-6 weeks to the inner line about 5" from the rim, holds 17 gal at this point. Using RODI water @ 0 tds

Water is put in sat morning and a tunze 6105 (overkill I know) is set on max and a 250w heater dropped in.
Sunday I mix in ESV salt, check salinity 20 min after mixing and adjust if needed.
Test the alk only and if it checks out I syphon 15 gal out of the display, add 17 to the sump while the return is running then syphon the last bit to get the sump level exact for the ATO.

No polyp retraction from the SPS or shrinking from LPS observed, levels are kept stable with dosing pumps dosing BRS ALK soda ash, CA, and MG sulfate & chloride.