water change ?

[hootie51]

I've been wondering for a while, is there an optimum time of day to do a wc? For example, I usually do mine at night after the lights go out just b/c that's when I have the most time. Does is make a difference though if it is done at night or during the day? Kind of a random question, but one I always think about when doing my water changes. Thanks!

 

[useskaforevil]

i do mine when the lights are on so i can make sure i'm sucking up all the detritus

 

[2fishy]

I used to do mine at night, but since I've had a mandarin I do it when the lights are on because I afraid I'll mistakenly suck it up. Not that the little fish doesn't swim pretty quick when it gets startled. It's gone in a flash!:lol:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't think it matters. I do 1% daily water changes automatically on a timer in several 15 minute time periods throughout the day and night.

 

[TKByrnes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12005622#post12005622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
I don't think it matters. I do 1% daily water changes automatically on a timer in several 15 minute time periods throughout the day and night.

Im curious how this is done?? Im assuming its an automated system? I would be interested in doing something like this myself.

 

[spleify]

Yes, Randy would you be so kind as to share this process with us?

Thanks

Spleify

 

[2fishy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12005622#post12005622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
I don't think it matters. I do 1% daily water changes automatically on a timer in several 15 minute time periods throughout the day and night.

I am SO jealous!! The only way I could do this is to set a timer and bribe my hubby to do the water change!:lol:

I am curious too!

 

[tkeracer619]

Dual head peristaltic pump. I do the same thing on my 360.

One pumps out, one pumps in. Same metered rate. I change about 7 gallons a day or 1.7% of my system volume.

 

[hootie51]

wow...I need to get me one of those! I don't usually look forward to wc day.

 

[tkeracer619]

Yeah on a system with 500G i didnt at all feel like changing 10 5g buckets a week.

Several options exist. Litermeter 3 seems to be popular. I purchased a cole-parmer dual head peristaltic pump from ebay. the digital model for around $350 works like a champ. Hospital grade, digital keypad that changes flow, ect. I can go from my standard 7gpd to about 200gpd with the push of a single button. =]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I use a dual head Reef Filler. It is a diaphragm pump that comes in various sizes and is controllable for the two flows independently. I have a 30 gallon per day max pump, and leave it at max for one and control the other to match it, or not exactly match it if I want to change the tank salinity. These pumps can send water long distanced and up against a lot of head pressure with the flow unchanged (but low).

I pump water from an 88 gallon reservoir (two Brute 44 gallon cans plumbed together with bulkheads) into a refugium.

With the other one I draw water from the sump and send it down a drain.

The timer that controls the pump come son for 15 minutes at a time a few times a day to swap out about 3 gallons, which is about 1% of my system.

 

[spleify]

Very, very cool!!

 

[hootie51]

When I finally get my big system some day I will definitely be setting up an automatic water change system. I guess it would be overkill on a 40 though!