Like the topic says, for those of you who do large water changes, what is your process? I really need to work out an easier method for my tank. I've been trying different ways each time, but I just can't find one that is simple / clean. I typically change 60-75 gallons at a time and it is a PITA. I don't have any plumbing near the tank (nor would it be easy to run any plumbing due to the tank being on a 1st floor slab of a 2 story home...), so all of the simplifying ideas that I can come up with are nearly impossible.
What is your water change process?
- Thread starter Hocky
- Start date
"Umm fish?"
Premium Member
Well, all I can tell you is that your sewer pipe where it leaves the house _has_ to be the lowest thing in the house. If you can find that connection then you can certainly tap to it, somehow.
I have a 120 plumbed into my system that is the designated water change tank. When I want to change water, I cut off the flow to that tank, drain it out completely (it's higher than the sink drain in the fishroom), and then fill it back up with new water. Then cut it back into the system.
Good luck!
I have a 120 plumbed into my system that is the designated water change tank. When I want to change water, I cut off the flow to that tank, drain it out completely (it's higher than the sink drain in the fishroom), and then fill it back up with new water. Then cut it back into the system.
Good luck!
Untamed12
New member
If you can't find a drain and you can't use pumps to move the fresh SW into the system...then I can't think of anything that could help you.
Maybe my system will give you some ideas. I change 50 gal/wk.
My system has two sumps, which are both have water flowing through them all the time. When I want to change 50 gallons, I isolate one sump and water begins to collect in that sump. When it is full (50 gallons), I dump it directly down the drain (sump has a valved bulkhead connected to drain)
As soon as that sump is drained, I open a valve that leads from my SW mixer and use the SW mixer pump to refill that sump.
Then, I un-isolate that sump and the new water enters the system.
The second sump is basically a big, measuring cup. By using a 2nd sump, the main sump never stops running during the whole process.
Maybe my system will give you some ideas. I change 50 gal/wk.
My system has two sumps, which are both have water flowing through them all the time. When I want to change 50 gallons, I isolate one sump and water begins to collect in that sump. When it is full (50 gallons), I dump it directly down the drain (sump has a valved bulkhead connected to drain)
As soon as that sump is drained, I open a valve that leads from my SW mixer and use the SW mixer pump to refill that sump.
Then, I un-isolate that sump and the new water enters the system.
The second sump is basically a big, measuring cup. By using a 2nd sump, the main sump never stops running during the whole process.
I wish I would've taken the 2 smaller sump instead of 1 bigger sump route. Oh well.
I have a python that is long enough to get to a drain, but I haven't used it yet because I need an adapter for my sink. I also mix my water in the garage and have tried to pump it to the tank, but the 75' of head on the hose makes the pump VERY slow. I am, however, using an old mag. Does anyone have a suggestion for a pump that will clear that 75' of head and be able to flow enough that it doesn't take 3 days to do a water change? lol
I have a python that is long enough to get to a drain, but I haven't used it yet because I need an adapter for my sink. I also mix my water in the garage and have tried to pump it to the tank, but the 75' of head on the hose makes the pump VERY slow. I am, however, using an old mag. Does anyone have a suggestion for a pump that will clear that 75' of head and be able to flow enough that it doesn't take 3 days to do a water change? lol
to drain my tank i have a gate valve off my closed loop that drains directly into the sewer. i can drain just about my entire tank this way. in my garage i have a 160 gallon container in which i mix my saltwater. once ready i simply open a valve and close another a pump the water to my tank with a garden house and a pvc device i had that hangs on the tank. i only due water changes though every couple of months.
Untamed12
New member
There are certainly pumps available that will do that. They are going to be big and much more expensive than a Mag pump.
There is a nice calculator on the MDM website that will help you pick a pump to do the job.
http://www.mdminc.com/Default.aspx
I'm thinking you might need something like the Power 1000.
There is a nice calculator on the MDM website that will help you pick a pump to do the job.
http://www.mdminc.com/Default.aspx
I'm thinking you might need something like the Power 1000.
savethereef
SCRK
i do a monthly 55g water change. i mix my water in a 55g barrel. then i have a Mag 18 with about 20 feet of 3/4 inch hose. i drop the pump in the sump and put the end into the sink. then i turn it on and take out 55g. after that i take out the pump and drop it in the 55g drum and put the water into the sump. after that i cut the pump on and i am done with the WC. takes me about 10 minutes.
The way i did it before (because i lived on the 3rd floor) i would manualy siphon the water out and dump into 5g arrowhead bottles. then i have to dump those out. then also replace the water back into the sump the same way. it was a PITA
The way i did it before (because i lived on the 3rd floor) i would manualy siphon the water out and dump into 5g arrowhead bottles. then i have to dump those out. then also replace the water back into the sump the same way. it was a PITA
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