water chages performed with skimmer

[low riderr]

was just wondering if its really worth doing water changes through your skimmer? seems like it would pull a little more junk out of the system. what do you folks think.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

removing water from the system using the skimmer is the ONLY way to go IMO/IME


wet skimmate water change


another thread


yet another

 

[low riderr]

thanks for the links

 

[PCKRAJ]

Oh boy, I've been using a python gravel cleaner on the sand, taking out about 25 gallons (150 gal tank) and then refilling the basement sump.

Is this really bad?????

Would it be better for me to do my water changes by taking the water out of the sump rather than the tank? Def would be easier, but I thought it was a good idea to remove detritus and stuff from sand.

Sorry, I just don't understand the skimmer method you've described.

Thanks

 

[britreefer]

uhh the skimmer method is great for a general water change. ie just to change a volume of water to keep things fresh basically. the skimmer pulls more out than just shoving a hose at the top of your tank and removing water, thats why they use it( may as well do something right with little effort). you still need to do the water change you describe every so often (use small hose to remove detritus etc). the skimmer only removes so much and only from the water column...if you didnt go in with a hose once in a while you would have hugee amounts of detritus build up which you dont want. think of the wet skimming water changes as a more efficient way to do your small changes between your larger cleans.

 

[britreefer]

oh and just for a quick change it doesnt really matter where you take the water from (sump or main display).

 

[jacksonpt]

I've done water changes via skimmer in the past. It's kind of a PITA because of the way my system is setup, but it does seem to work well.

The skimmer method is basically setting your skimmer up so it skims really wet and use that as the old water in the water change. Then replace with new water as you normally would.

Are you disturbing your sand bed when you vacuum? From what I've read, there are pros and cons to this, but I'm no expert so you should do your own research on that. I think if you've got enough detrious that it requires vacuuming, perhaps you don't have enough flow in your tank? What are you using for flow/circulation?

You can always use a turkey baster to stir things up and let the tank break them down naturally as well.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Try this: Test the water for phosphate, vacuum the sand, let some stand until clear and test that water for phosphates.
The sand water for me tested @ almost double.
I only have a shallow sand bed.

 

[tmz]

Nothing wrong with vacuuming the gravel or detritus off a bare bottom when dong changes.imo.
Wet skimming changes are nice too if you can manage them. I know one aquarist who skims wet constantly;drains the skimmate to a house drain and does an ongoing water change via an automatic top off. Nice but i don't have a drain in the basement that I can gravity feed and won't put the skimate in the house sump.