fishfreak1242
Active Member
I was just wondering what the best method to change your water would be so that you don't disturb your fish. I heard of many methods and wanted to know what is the best way.
how do you change water?
- Thread starter fishfreak1242
- Start date
mcbdz
Active Member
Well, anytime you go into your tank it disturbs your fish, but they will get use to it. I do weekly 10% water changes with 24-48hr old saltwater. First use your syphon hose and suction out old water cleaning rocks and top of sand during this time. Then pump in the new water. Your fish will love you for it.
perfectdark
Active Member
Yep pretty much do the same. I turn off all power heads and pumps, syphon out the old and then the power head that I use to airate the new water I attach my hose to and pump it into my tank. I prep my next batch of water when I finish the water change the week before. So at any time I can do a change...
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by dcrawford
If you use RO water do you think aeration is necessary?
Yes.
Aerating the water oxygenates it which raises pH as well as helping to dissolve all of the salt.
If you use RO water do you think aeration is necessary?
Yes.
Aerating the water oxygenates it which raises pH as well as helping to dissolve all of the salt.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
In my large client tanks, I draw a line on the sump that shows me that I have pumped out X% of the water, and then pump in the same amount of fresh aged saltwater into the sump then turn the pumps back on. Though, before you start emptying the tank, make sure that you tie up any float valves first.
aging saltwater is pretty easy. Just take water from your RO Unit etc. and add the appropriate amount of salt. Use a large powerhead to stir the water around to dissolve the salt. The salt will then release gasses and become oxygenated over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Though, you could theoretically mix the salt fot only 30 minutes and it is still almost the same thing. Just make sure that your pH is stable.
On smaller aquariums, I use a clear vinyl tube, 5 gallon buckets, a powerhead, clamps and fresh aged saltwater. Stir up the detitrus in the aquarium with a turkey baster, after you have turned off the pumps/powerheads etc. Turn off your lights as well, you do not want to heat up your water too much. Clamp the vinyl tube to the inside of the aquarium, suck on the opposite end and then put it into a bucket. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.
About once every 6 months or so, you need to gravel vac the sand bed in one area at a time to get a lot of the detitrus out. If you do not, acid will build up in the aquarium and crash your tank after a few years.
aging saltwater is pretty easy. Just take water from your RO Unit etc. and add the appropriate amount of salt. Use a large powerhead to stir the water around to dissolve the salt. The salt will then release gasses and become oxygenated over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Though, you could theoretically mix the salt fot only 30 minutes and it is still almost the same thing. Just make sure that your pH is stable.
On smaller aquariums, I use a clear vinyl tube, 5 gallon buckets, a powerhead, clamps and fresh aged saltwater. Stir up the detitrus in the aquarium with a turkey baster, after you have turned off the pumps/powerheads etc. Turn off your lights as well, you do not want to heat up your water too much. Clamp the vinyl tube to the inside of the aquarium, suck on the opposite end and then put it into a bucket. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.
About once every 6 months or so, you need to gravel vac the sand bed in one area at a time to get a lot of the detitrus out. If you do not, acid will build up in the aquarium and crash your tank after a few years.
C
calvertbill
Guest
Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
I was just wondering what the best method to change your water would be so that you don't disturb your fish. I heard of many methods and wanted to know what is the best way.
If you're partially nuts (like me) there is a way you can do it without disturbing them at all. The overflows in my main tank drain into a 90 with is barren of any devices except a pump with is normally off. The water from the 90 overflows into my sump, ultimately winding up back in the DT. When I want to do a partial I turn two ball valves to divert the water from the DT overflows directly into the sump (taking the 90 off line). I then turn the pump in the 90 on to pump directly into my septic system (I have a little grid on the edge of the 90, 15 gals, 25 gals, 35 gals, etc.) the RO then pumps new water into the 90, I add salt, test the specific gravity, oxygenate it and two days later bring it back on line by reversing the ball valves. Viola! The fish won't even be aware anything happened!
As a matter of fact, the 90's off line now because I'm curing 150 lbs. of rock in it. Which brings up a question of mine. Once the rock is cured and the levels in the 90 drop back to normal, do I need to dump the water or can I filter it for unwanted critters and bring it back into the system?
I was just wondering what the best method to change your water would be so that you don't disturb your fish. I heard of many methods and wanted to know what is the best way.
If you're partially nuts (like me) there is a way you can do it without disturbing them at all. The overflows in my main tank drain into a 90 with is barren of any devices except a pump with is normally off. The water from the 90 overflows into my sump, ultimately winding up back in the DT. When I want to do a partial I turn two ball valves to divert the water from the DT overflows directly into the sump (taking the 90 off line). I then turn the pump in the 90 on to pump directly into my septic system (I have a little grid on the edge of the 90, 15 gals, 25 gals, 35 gals, etc.) the RO then pumps new water into the 90, I add salt, test the specific gravity, oxygenate it and two days later bring it back on line by reversing the ball valves. Viola! The fish won't even be aware anything happened!
As a matter of fact, the 90's off line now because I'm curing 150 lbs. of rock in it. Which brings up a question of mine. Once the rock is cured and the levels in the 90 drop back to normal, do I need to dump the water or can I filter it for unwanted critters and bring it back into the system?
perfectdark
Active Member
If your really anal its recomended to mix your salt and have it airate for a week. Not only does it ensure a stable pH, but it is enough time to achieve an equilibrium between oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
paulidee
Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
In my large client tanks, I draw a line on the sump that shows me that I have pumped out X% of the water, and then pump in the same amount of fresh aged saltwater into the sump then turn the pumps back on. Though, before you start emptying the tank, make sure that you tie up any float valves first.
aging saltwater is pretty easy. Just take water from your RO Unit etc. and add the appropriate amount of salt. Use a large powerhead to stir the water around to dissolve the salt. The salt will then release gasses and become oxygenated over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Though, you could theoretically mix the salt fot only 30 minutes and it is still almost the same thing. Just make sure that your pH is stable.
On smaller aquariums, I use a clear vinyl tube, 5 gallon buckets, a powerhead, clamps and fresh aged saltwater. Stir up the detitrus in the aquarium with a turkey baster, after you have turned off the pumps/powerheads etc. Turn off your lights as well, you do not want to heat up your water too much. Clamp the vinyl tube to the inside of the aquarium, suck on the opposite end and then put it into a bucket. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.
About once every 6 months or so, you need to gravel vac the sand bed in one area at a time to get a lot of the detitrus out. If you do not, acid will build up in the aquarium and crash your tank after a few years.
How do you gravel vac the sand bed?
Also, is it really that important to use the power head to pump the water back into the tank? I usually just slowly dump a bucket of water back into the DT.
In my large client tanks, I draw a line on the sump that shows me that I have pumped out X% of the water, and then pump in the same amount of fresh aged saltwater into the sump then turn the pumps back on. Though, before you start emptying the tank, make sure that you tie up any float valves first.
aging saltwater is pretty easy. Just take water from your RO Unit etc. and add the appropriate amount of salt. Use a large powerhead to stir the water around to dissolve the salt. The salt will then release gasses and become oxygenated over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Though, you could theoretically mix the salt fot only 30 minutes and it is still almost the same thing. Just make sure that your pH is stable.
On smaller aquariums, I use a clear vinyl tube, 5 gallon buckets, a powerhead, clamps and fresh aged saltwater. Stir up the detitrus in the aquarium with a turkey baster, after you have turned off the pumps/powerheads etc. Turn off your lights as well, you do not want to heat up your water too much. Clamp the vinyl tube to the inside of the aquarium, suck on the opposite end and then put it into a bucket. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.
About once every 6 months or so, you need to gravel vac the sand bed in one area at a time to get a lot of the detitrus out. If you do not, acid will build up in the aquarium and crash your tank after a few years.
How do you gravel vac the sand bed?
Also, is it really that important to use the power head to pump the water back into the tank? I usually just slowly dump a bucket of water back into the DT.
harris28
Member
Originally Posted by paulidee
How do you gravel vac the sand bed?
Also, is it really that important to use the power head to pump the water back into the tank? I usually just slowly dump a bucket of water back into the DT.
I recently purchased a 320 gph pump to pump my water back up tomy tank. I used to slowly dump water in and always made a mess and it took a little bit to dump one gallon at a time in. Now it takes a matter of a minute and my tank is full again andno mess. So it is not important but helpful on you.
How do you gravel vac the sand bed?
Also, is it really that important to use the power head to pump the water back into the tank? I usually just slowly dump a bucket of water back into the DT.
I recently purchased a 320 gph pump to pump my water back up tomy tank. I used to slowly dump water in and always made a mess and it took a little bit to dump one gallon at a time in. Now it takes a matter of a minute and my tank is full again andno mess. So it is not important but helpful on you.
paulidee
Member
Do you pump it into the sump or the display?
Also, maybe it is related to how I change my water, but I neglected my tank for a month or so and my nitrates spiked. I have been doing 15-20% water changes about twice a week for the last month or so and I still don't see my nitrates going down.
All I do is siphon out water from my DT and then pour in my saltwater, I don't do anything with the detrius like others were saying on this thread.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Also, maybe it is related to how I change my water, but I neglected my tank for a month or so and my nitrates spiked. I have been doing 15-20% water changes about twice a week for the last month or so and I still don't see my nitrates going down.
All I do is siphon out water from my DT and then pour in my saltwater, I don't do anything with the detrius like others were saying on this thread.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
S
swalchemist
Guest
I use a 30 Gal trashcan, fill with RO/DI mix salt turn on a pump (2000gph) throw in heater let stand till temp = tank temp. Cut tank pump power drain to 25-30% line. Plug in hose to pump in water vat and pump new water back into the tank. Take about 15 min if I'm in a fast mood.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
...
About once every 6 months or so, you need to gravel vac the sand bed in one area at a time to get a lot of the detitrus out. If you do not, acid will build up in the aquarium and crash your tank after a few years.
I disagree with this.
Brisk current across you sand bed and the proper stocking of a tank can completely eliminate this threat.
...
About once every 6 months or so, you need to gravel vac the sand bed in one area at a time to get a lot of the detitrus out. If you do not, acid will build up in the aquarium and crash your tank after a few years.
I disagree with this.
Brisk current across you sand bed and the proper stocking of a tank can completely eliminate this threat.
paulidee
Member
I wonder if that is my problem. Sometimes when I am refilling the tank when doing a water change, I pour in too much at a time the water disturbs the sand bed. Could that unleash nitrates back into the tank? I am just dumbfounded that I have done 3 20-30% water changes for three consecutive weeks and my nitrate levels have not changed.
S
swalchemist
Guest
"Could that unleash nitrates back into the tank?"
It can, as well as other gasses.
It can, as well as other gasses.
skimmer768
New Member
Maybe I am just filled with luck, but I have never waited days to put new water into display tank. I use RO/DI, add the salt(reef crystals), set pH and await temp, and add it to replace the 10% I drain each week. Has been fine this way for years. Just my humble two cents.