The Perfect "NANO WATER CHANGE"

[happyreef]

Ok. After saying that thread, no I don't have a nano, still in the planning stages, but am not new to the hobby
The nanos here are absolutely beautiful, so feel free to comment on the details of your water changes, or do you mostly rely on "fuges"?
1.Do you still mix your change (regardless of percentage) for 24 hours before adding?
2.Do you reguarly top off throughout the week, in addition to the weekly change?
3.What is the best salt brand?
Much obliged

 

[black99l]

1.) i only let mine set for a couple of hours.
2.) weekly water changes and daily top-offs, remember the salt doesn't evaporate. so if you don't top-off thoughout the week and are only doing water changes your SG will go though the roof. hope that made sense.
3.) i use Instant Ocean

 

[happyreef]

black - thanks for the responses. When you top off, did you make a small water line, or you have just learned about how much you need to replace every day?

 

[black99l]

I fill my tank up everyday after work. i fill it until the water line goes just out of sight. usually between 1/8 and 1/4 of a gallon a day.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by HappyReef
Ok. After saying that thread, no I don't have a nano, still in the planning stages, but am not new to the hobby
The nanos here are absolutely beautiful, so feel free to comment on the details of your water changes, or do you mostly rely on "fuges"?
1.Do you still mix your change (regardless of percentage) for 24 hours before adding?
2.Do you reguarly top off throughout the week, in addition to the weekly change?
3.What is the best salt brand?
Much obliged
1. Yes I mix for at least 24 hours. though on my 20 my last water change was made using that new ocean water that they sell @ *****. Due to travel and having three tanks in two states .... anyhow I try to change the water once a month.
2. YES!! It is a must - the smaller the tank the more the need as it helps keep the water chemistry balanced.
3. Hmm depends. I like the new oceanic. I like the red sea salts but it was expensive. I had an bucket of oceanic that always registered lethel rates of alk and after my run in with their customer service (and a 140 that had to be drained and refilled) I have avoided them. I have also used several others but I think my main salt will be oceanic - love the levels it tests out at!

 

[happyreef]

Sweet, Overanalyzer chimed in!
Thanks for your indepth answers! They are very helpful.

 

[debnflo]

Originally posted by HappyReef
1.Do you still mix your change (regardless of percentage) for 24 hours before adding?
We actually keep a 40G garbage pail constantly mixing in the garage since we have a 100G tank too. Makes it conveinent to just grab some water when needed. All out tanks are kept at the same parameters just to make it easier.
2.Do you reguarly top off throughout the week, in addition to the weekly change?
Absolutley... Our nano's are upstairs on our nightstands so I just keep a pitcher of RO/DI in the nightstand to use as needed, maybe a 1/2 cup ever couple days.
3.What is the best salt brand?
We use Oceanic but that is because it is the brand our best LFS carries and always has in stock. Makes it easy.

 

[happyreef]

Again, thanks for the insights. I would do the garbage bin if I had a larger tank volume in the works, but I believe I will do a new nanocube when they come out, so small simple water changes should'nt be a problem. Thats an excellent idea.