Reef Tank Water Change Method?

Augusta99 · 10/19/2007, 12:59 PM

I'm new to reef tanks, but I've had fish only salt water tanks for many years.

When doing a water change for a reef tank with live sand, should I be placing the hose into the sand? With a fish only tank this is the method I would use during a water change, but would this method have a negative effect on the live sand?

For the last few months I've only been taking water without disturbing the sand, but I'm afraid this may be causing a nitrate build up

.

Any advise from experience reefers would be helpful!

Thanks

Gdevine · 10/19/2007, 01:11 PM

Many many threads on this topic. From my research and what I practice is a follows:

I syphon the upper level of the sand about 1/4" to 1) suck up detritus, waste and water from the lowest level in the tank and 2) only do 1/2 of the sand bed per weekly water change.

You got to remember, with a live sand bed and live rock there is a lot of spaces that you can not reach and "vacuum" the sand so it is what it is...but this seems to be one of the appropriate methods and works for me!

Augusta99 · 10/19/2007, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the info Gdevine! Just wanted make sure that I was doing this correctly. I couldn't find anything specific to this using a general Google search.

ReefCenteral users to the rescue once again!

Gdevine · 10/19/2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Augusta99
Thanks for the info Gdevine! Just wanted make sure that I was doing this correctly. I couldn't find anything specific to this using a general Google search.

ReefCenteral users to the rescue once again!

For information like this and other matters you can find a ton on www.wetwebmedia.com and do a site search on any subject...and then have fun

Subliminal · 10/19/2007, 01:37 PM

I certainly don't do that.

Actually, because I don't skim, I remove the very top layer of water from my tank, and other than the occasional bubble algae removal, I don't stray any further down.

LobsterOfJustice · 10/19/2007, 01:43 PM

In my opinion if you are vaccuuming that much off the top of your sandbed, you dont have enough flow in your tank.

pelochas · 10/19/2007, 03:03 PM

also if you have corals, everytime that sandbed is moved and it starts a sand storm, all the corals start to stress and slime all over

Alaska_Phil · 10/19/2007, 03:35 PM

I use a straight 1/4" hose and vacuum off the rocks directly, just be very carefull about the corals. this creates enough suction to pull crud out of crevices. I don't vacuum the sand unless there's some visible detrius there. But then I'm only using a shallow sand bed.

I also recently made up a little sucktion tool using thin ridgid tubing and airline for removing flat worms. I've found it works great for cleaning out cracks and around the base of corals.

Phil

uscharalph · 10/19/2007, 04:37 PM

I vaccuum a protion of my sand. Only the part that I can easily get to. It's funny, my engineer goby is helping to keep other portions of my sandbed clean, by moving it around. LOL!!!

Augusta99 · 10/19/2007, 05:12 PM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

10/19/2007, 12:59 PM	#1
Augusta99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 58	Reef Tank Water Change Method? I'm new to reef tanks, but I've had fish only salt water tanks for many years. When doing a water change for a reef tank with live sand, should I be placing the hose into the sand? With a fish only tank this is the method I would use during a water change, but would this method have a negative effect on the live sand? For the last few months I've only been taking water without disturbing the sand, but I'm afraid this may be causing a nitrate build up . Any advise from experience reefers would be helpful! Thanks

10/19/2007, 01:11 PM	#2
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	Many many threads on this topic. From my research and what I practice is a follows: I syphon the upper level of the sand about 1/4" to 1) suck up detritus, waste and water from the lowest level in the tank and 2) only do 1/2 of the sand bed per weekly water change. You got to remember, with a live sand bed and live rock there is a lot of spaces that you can not reach and "vacuum" the sand so it is what it is...but this seems to be one of the appropriate methods and works for me! __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method

10/19/2007, 01:43 PM	#6
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	In my opinion if you are vaccuuming that much off the top of your sandbed, you dont have enough flow in your tank. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

10/19/2007, 03:03 PM	#7
pelochas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 385	also if you have corals, everytime that sandbed is moved and it starts a sand storm, all the corals start to stress and slime all over __________________ 120g Reef Tank Oceanic, 2x175watt MH 14k Iwasaki, 1 Ecotech MP40, Reeflo Dart return pump, AquaC EV-120 Eheim 1262 ,AquacontrollerJr, KentMaxximaHI-S, PhosBanReactor150, Geo Kalk Rx. Current Tank Info: working on diy led lighting and finishing a sump refuge relocated outside the house

10/19/2007, 03:35 PM	#8
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	I use a straight 1/4" hose and vacuum off the rocks directly, just be very carefull about the corals. this creates enough suction to pull crud out of crevices. I don't vacuum the sand unless there's some visible detrius there. But then I'm only using a shallow sand bed. I also recently made up a little sucktion tool using thin ridgid tubing and airline for removing flat worms. I've found it works great for cleaning out cracks and around the base of corals. Phil __________________ Don't be afraid to fall - if you're not falling down once in a while, you're not trying anything new and probably not having much fun. Current Tank Info: 50 gal mixed reef, 65 gal freshwater planted.

10/19/2007, 01:17 PM	#3
Augusta99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 58	Thanks for the info Gdevine! Just wanted make sure that I was doing this correctly. I couldn't find anything specific to this using a general Google search. ReefCenteral users to the rescue once again!

10/19/2007, 01:37 PM	#5
Subliminal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 322	I certainly don't do that. Actually, because I don't skim, I remove the very top layer of water from my tank, and other than the occasional bubble algae removal, I don't stray any further down.

10/19/2007, 04:37 PM	#9
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	I vaccuum a protion of my sand. Only the part that I can easily get to. It's funny, my engineer goby is helping to keep other portions of my sandbed clean, by moving it around. LOL!!! __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank

10/19/2007, 05:12 PM	#10
Augusta99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 58	Thanks everyone for your thoughts!