water change quickly or slowly?

[rick12]

i was contemplating doing my water change by using a pump to supply salt water to my system in a high flow area in the display. i will also have an overflow drain on my sump where water will exit as it overfills. the idea is that the new saltwater will mostly remain as the old exits.
now would it be best to use a powerful pump and add the water quickly or use an aqua-lifter type pump and add the water slowly? i am thinking that as the new water mixes will it exit and be wasted!

 

[Ron Reefman]

Why all the effort? Take the old out first and then add the new. Is there some reason why you can't do it that way?

 

[liver]

I would do it quickly so as not to confuse your auto top off system

 

[BFG]

Siphon out the old water from the display tank, you could suck out fish waste too this way. Make sure to turn off the return pump 1st.

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

I take it out slowly via the wet skim method and add it slowly through the ATO. Is like an automated water change. See thread in advanced topics.

 

[liver]

If you are going to have the water exit via an overflow drain in your sump you will want to do it quickly since otherwise your ATO will add water as you take it away. Alternative is to shut off your ATO while you do water changes.

 

[coolfishy101]

I do mine as quick as possible, so I actually do them lol!

 

[ryeguyy84]

As bad as it sound I don't even heat mine up. I pull 5 gallons out of my 55 and dump 5 back in. Lowers the tank temp about .5 degrees.

 

[sbabs]

I just kill my ATO when doing a water change. I have it on a DJ power strip, labeled, and just turn the button off, swap water, and turn it on.

 

[Indymann99]

I change out and in via the sump... the DT is hardly affected at all.

1. Turn off ATO, heaters and skimmer.
2. Turn off Return pump. Water raises in sump to level (marked PUMP OFF).
3. Turn on WC pump in sump and pump out ~20g. Turn off WC pump
4. Turn ON WC valve and send NEW SW from Mix tank (typically mixing and stored for 1-4 weeks)
5. Fill sump back up to PUMP OFF mark.
6. Turn off WC valve.
7. Turn on return pump
8. Turn on skimmer, heaters, ATO

WC DONE. :thumbsup:

 

[edandsandy]

^^^^^^^
very nice!

 

[ryeguyy84]

I like how everything is labeled