water changes
- Thread starter x1crt
- Start date
fatdaddy
New member
1) Prepare salt water that is the same salinity as your tank. Use the same meter for both the tank and bucket where you mix the water.
2) Put a powerhead in your bucket so that the water is stirred constantly.
3) Wait 48 hours for the salt water to fully dissolve. Must people just mix up a new batch right after the water change and let it sit until needed.
4) Double check salinity between bucket and tank.
5) Turn off return pump from your sump.
6) Use a siphon hose to drain out the amount of water you want to change. Be absolutely certain that you have enough water mixed up to match the amount you siphon out, or put it in a bucket for safe keeping so you can put some back in if you don't have enough make up water.
7) Pump water back into your tank. I usually put it in my sump and then turn on the return pump at some point. I do this until the tank is full again.
There are variations on this. Some people mark their tank so they don't have to measure the amount of water drained and refilled. Some have a faucet attached siphon hose. I just use two rubbermaid trash cans on wheels for both mixing salt water and removing old water. I wheel it to the sink and pump it out *after* I get the water change finished.
You just need to work out a system and schedule that works for you and that you'll do consistently.
I'm on the low side for water changes. I just do 10% a month, but both of my tanks are 18+ old.
2) Put a powerhead in your bucket so that the water is stirred constantly.
3) Wait 48 hours for the salt water to fully dissolve. Must people just mix up a new batch right after the water change and let it sit until needed.
4) Double check salinity between bucket and tank.
5) Turn off return pump from your sump.
6) Use a siphon hose to drain out the amount of water you want to change. Be absolutely certain that you have enough water mixed up to match the amount you siphon out, or put it in a bucket for safe keeping so you can put some back in if you don't have enough make up water.
7) Pump water back into your tank. I usually put it in my sump and then turn on the return pump at some point. I do this until the tank is full again.
There are variations on this. Some people mark their tank so they don't have to measure the amount of water drained and refilled. Some have a faucet attached siphon hose. I just use two rubbermaid trash cans on wheels for both mixing salt water and removing old water. I wheel it to the sink and pump it out *after* I get the water change finished.
You just need to work out a system and schedule that works for you and that you'll do consistently.
I'm on the low side for water changes. I just do 10% a month, but both of my tanks are 18+ old.
fatdaddy
New member
Just be aware that salinity tends to drift over time because of the skimmer waste, salt creep, etc., so I tend to add a little extra salt water in during a water change and let evaporation move it back to normal. However, that is just a few cups a month. Only make changes to salinity very slowly.
And, have some old towels handy. I've yet to do it without spilling some water. You don't want to irritate the woman of the house by using her good towels.
I discuss issues relating to the size of water changes and such in the article below (for example, 5 5% changes compared to one 25% water change)
Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php
Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php
