tips on water changes

[snuggle2me]

As a newbie i am still in the learning stages. I was hoping to get some good ideas on how some of the experienced reefers do water changes. I have done my 10% the first time by removing it with a gallon container one gallon at a time until i got out 10%. I then put a line mark on the outside of the tank for a guide for future changes. I can just syphon out with a hose to that level and not have to worry if i am taking too much out. Now i am also confused on the part of to lightly go over the top of my sandbed or to leave it alone. Any tips on how you do it would be appreciated. If you just want to tell how you do yours would be good too. I think this info would help out alot of us newbies that arent sure of how to do things yet. The more details you add the better for us newbies to get a better understanding of how things work. Thanks

 

[Buster4900]

I use a small pump with a hose attached and pup water a gunk from the sump to a trash can. I dump the bad water in the driveway and then pump in new clean water. I think do what it takes to make the simple and fast. Otherwise you will not want to do water changes.

 

[Village Idiot]

I'm planning my 1st SW tank...I'm going to try putting a T on the return plumbing with a gate valve and enough hose on it to reach outside the stand. When it's time for a water change, just open the valve and the pump will fill up my bucket. I guess I need a PH to pump the new water back into the sump...

 

[Rewd]

Get yourself a python for removing water from the tank. Best piece of fish keeping equipment I ever bought.

They hook to your faucet and once the water starts flowing it doesn't stop until you turn it off. It then goes right in to the sink. No hauling buckets except for when you go to put new salterwater back in to the tank.

 

[snuggle2me]

Rewd, Do you remove the water from the tank or the sump. Also do you go over the top of your sand too or leave it alone? I tried to remove the water at first from my sump but it doesn hold much water. Its the kind with the bioballs. I will be removing the bioballs once i have enough lr in my tank to establish a natural filter. Back to the part about the water level in my sump. When the tank water level drops the overflow box doesnt allow any more water to go into my sump so then i had to get the rest of the water from my tank. I have read to take it from the sump so it doesnt disturb the tank and others say its ok to take from the tank. I have the python and will be using it for changes . I just didnt use it for my first change so i could get an idea of what 10% water change looks like. I know that water changes might seem like a simple thing but i plan on doing them regularly and any ideas on how you guys do them is really appreciated. Thanks.. And if anyone else has some good input just feel free to add to this post.