Water Changes

[SaltSolutions1]

If I am maintaining multiple tanks at businesses and restaurants, what is the best way and most efficient way to do water changes.

The LFS that does these has a 300 gallon water tank on a trailer. Do I really need all that equipment or can I use buckets?

Also, I've always done cichlid tanks so all this saltwater tank stuff is still pretty new to me. Any info on using water from the ocean or making the water myself in buckets.

I'm lost here as I would be carrying around 8-10 buckets of water at a time.

Someone else also said that doing water changes with 5 gallon buckets is a big mess and waste of time. If that is the case what is my alternative?

Any insight or info would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance

 

[Fish_wiz2]

You can do buckets but the way the LFS does it is more easier and less messy. You don't need 300 Gs but a 65 gal brute should do. Then use buckets for that to the tank. And additional brutes for waste water or put em on carts and forget buckets. Also making water is easy just start with RO/DI water add salt to recommend volume mix with a powerhead and heat with a heater until use just don't leave it to long.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

what is a brute?

what kind of carts do u mean?

RO/DI?

 

[IslandCrow]

Brute trash cans are food grade containers made by Rubbermaid. Depending on how far the tank is from wherever you're going to park, you could probably do something creative with pumps and hoses. I have a 32g bucket in the garage where I mix my saltwater. I keep a Mag 5 inside the bucket attached to that black sprinkler system tubing they sell at the hardware store. To the other end, a valve is attached so I can start and stop the water flow. Using this, I don't have to drag around buckets. I just plug in the pump, pull the hose into the house, open the valve and fill the tank. Of course, if you'd have to drag a bunch of tubing through a restaurant or across a parking lot, that obviously wouldn't work.

I assume what Fish_wiz2 is talking about by carts is just something with wheels that you can put that Brute trash can on. You could either buy something like this or make it yourself with some 2x4s and some wheels.

 

[IslandCrow]

Oh, and RO/DI is a water purification process. It stands for Reverse Osmosis/De-ionization. It will give you nearly lab quality water, and you can buy units at many fish stores and a host of places online. They can run you anywhere from around $100 to nearly $500 (usually closer to $100), and are considered almost essential by many in this hobby.

Just an additional observation. If you're maintaining saltwater tanks for these establishments, you're going to do yourself and them a huge favor by doing quite a bit of research on saltwater tank husbandry. The things we're talking about are considered very basic in the hobby. I'm doubt saltwater tanks are any more difficult than keeping African Cichlids, but you'll be pulling your hair out (and possibly out of a job with these businesses) if you don't have the basics down.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, I totally agree with IslandCrow. You have to know a LOT more about this than you do before you can sell your expertise.

For my tanks, I produce RO/DI water into a 250 gallon vat which I then bring up to SG of 1.0264 (approximately) I then have pipe which run to my sumps that I can control what goes where. I change 25% every other week on each tank. You will have to do the same. That is a LOT of 5 gallon cans.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

That is why I am on here.......to learn as much as I can.

I am very new to salt water setups and maintanence. I know a ton about African Cichlids and those setups, but need some training on salt water.....no doubt.

All great ideas....I appreciate all the feedback....Looking forward to reading more of it.

 

[ultimate125]

how about a portable water change station?
2 containers on a rolling cart with a pump to remove and replace the water...thoughts?

 

[SaltSolutions1]

that is actually something i had in mind. it would have to be made by myself though. noone sells that kind of stuff.

any thoughts on a diy type of plan so i would be able to attempt this rolling portable water change station......also, it would need to be something i can fit into an SUV.

That is a great idea.

I could even put a spot on there where i can keep all of my other cleaning tools, test kits, ect.

 

[ultimate125]

this one holds 330lbs and is about $40! :eek2:

 

[SaltSolutions1]

ultimate125,

that looks like it would work. will hold about 35-40gallon depending on what i have the water in give or take.

and folds down to stick in the suv i have, too.

something that was able to hold more weight would be even better. I'm looking around

 

[MinnFish]

I'm thinking you will need more than a SUV to carry equipment. What about a enclosed trailer outfitted with a 200 to 300 gal. tank, and enough room to carry supplies (lights, skimmers, pumps, pipes (and fittings), hoses and etc). Call your local garden supply company or distributor, ask for a watering caddy. They are used to carry 25 to 50 gallons of water for plant maintenance. Can easily be fitted with a electric pump. Hope i could help.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

I agree with you MinnFish, I wish I had a pick up or at least a trailer......still learning about the aquariums and what tools I will need to do the jobs. I appreciate the help.

I am thinking that by the end of the year I should have a hitch and trailer on my SUV equipped with a 300 gallon water tank, pump to get seawater from the ocean and all necessary supplies stock up on the trailer.

What type of pump would you suggest?

 

[MinnFish]

Are there any regulations or limitations on the amount of seawater extracted? Any permits needed? Checked local and State laws? How far out are you planning on pumping? Coastlines are not the best. Too much runoff and other nasties can contaminate your supplies. Not a very good supplies of saltwater to depend on for a constant supplies. As far as pumps, a pump rated at 600gph will fill a 300gal. tank in about .5hrs.