water changes help

pentrix2 · 03/30/2011, 05:28 AM

When I do my 20% water change every 2 weeks. The water I am using is from my Typhoon III Extreme RO/DI. After I mix the salt in and let it sit with my heater on. Is there any type of chemical I need to put in the water before I use it to do the water change?

I was thinking to clean my skimmer every time I do a water change. Is this recommended or not needed?

stingythingy45 · 03/30/2011, 05:47 AM

Depending on if you have corals or just fish would determine if you add anything like alk,mg or calcium additives.
Also,a good "reef"salt will have these parameters close already.
It's always a good idea to clean your skimmer.Especially if it's a venturi type skimmer.
But,I'd just watch the performance and clean when that changes.

Chris27 · 03/30/2011, 05:59 AM

Salt mix should be all you add to the bucket....unless you're targeting specific concentrations of alk, calcium or mag.....in which case add as you see fit.

As for the skimmer, don't worry about taking the entire thing out of the sump to clean it twice monthly. Clean the collection cup weekly, and once monthly heat up some water in the microwave and allow the venturi to pull the water through, this will keep it nice and clean. 2-3 times a year you can pull the skimmer out and give it a thorough cleaning in a mild vinegar solution.

Sugar Magnolia · 03/30/2011, 06:09 AM

The only way to know if you need to supplement calc, alk or mag is to test your water.

pentrix2 · 03/30/2011, 09:30 AM

i just have a bta and a couple of fishes. i will do the 20% water changes using RO/DI and clean the collection cup when I change the water.

Everytime I changed water it worried me to a point I didn't get a good night sleep because I was worried was I doing the water changes correctly.

thank you all for your help. Now I sleep better, and my fishes too.

briankmarsh1980 · 03/30/2011, 11:46 AM

just make sure you mix salt long enough for the PH to balance out I wait 12 hrs min but I prefer 24 hrs of mixing before water changes, the cleaner the skimmer cup the better it works I think, and I clean my whole skimmer every 6 months

03/30/2011, 05:28 AM	#1
pentrix2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 557	water changes help When I do my 20% water change every 2 weeks. The water I am using is from my Typhoon III Extreme RO/DI. After I mix the salt in and let it sit with my heater on. Is there any type of chemical I need to put in the water before I use it to do the water change? I was thinking to clean my skimmer every time I do a water change. Is this recommended or not needed?

03/30/2011, 05:47 AM	#2
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Depending on if you have corals or just fish would determine if you add anything like alk,mg or calcium additives. Also,a good "reef"salt will have these parameters close already. It's always a good idea to clean your skimmer.Especially if it's a venturi type skimmer. But,I'd just watch the performance and clean when that changes. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

03/30/2011, 05:59 AM	#3
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Salt mix should be all you add to the bucket....unless you're targeting specific concentrations of alk, calcium or mag.....in which case add as you see fit. As for the skimmer, don't worry about taking the entire thing out of the sump to clean it twice monthly. Clean the collection cup weekly, and once monthly heat up some water in the microwave and allow the venturi to pull the water through, this will keep it nice and clean. 2-3 times a year you can pull the skimmer out and give it a thorough cleaning in a mild vinegar solution. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

03/30/2011, 06:09 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	The only way to know if you need to supplement calc, alk or mag is to test your water. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

03/30/2011, 11:46 AM	#6
briankmarsh1980 I'm a member of **!!!!!! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maricopa, Arizona Posts: 2,127	just make sure you mix salt long enough for the PH to balance out I wait 12 hrs min but I prefer 24 hrs of mixing before water changes, the cleaner the skimmer cup the better it works I think, and I clean my whole skimmer every 6 months __________________ My skim don't stink _______________________________________________________________ 210 gallons with stuff!!!!!!!

03/30/2011, 09:30 AM	#5
pentrix2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 557	i just have a bta and a couple of fishes. i will do the 20% water changes using RO/DI and clean the collection cup when I change the water. Everytime I changed water it worried me to a point I didn't get a good night sleep because I was worried was I doing the water changes correctly. thank you all for your help. Now I sleep better, and my fishes too.

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