my first water change

joniterrett · 08/29/2006, 03:07 AM

hi i was wondering if anyone could tell me the best way to do a water change its my first one in a 35gal tank. how do i get the water out and how much????? when i mix the ro water with salt how long do leave it before putting it in?? let me know any other info i might need to know thanks.

essexboy73 · 08/29/2006, 03:17 AM

Well rule of thumb says 20% a month...some do 5% a week and some do 10% bi-weekly... to each their own....
As for getting the water out, just put your tubing in front of one of your power heads to start the siphon...then your good to go!!
Mix the water first, then by the time your ready to put it back it will be mixed enough..you should always let it stir for atleast for 30 mins...some say a few hours! The easiest way to mix it is to throw a maxi jet in the bucket and let it run...then just use the same maxi to pump the water back into your tank...less messy that way...youll get your own routine down faster then you want

joniterrett · 08/29/2006, 03:27 AM

thanks once i have changed the water when is it best to do all the tests again should i leave it a bit before i do them or not?

woodstock '69 · 08/29/2006, 05:43 AM

Hi joniterett,

As far as tests, I usually fill up my 6 test tubes of water just before I start the wc. Then I kinda do the tests as my pump pumps back the new water into the tank.

If something is way off (not been a prob yet) I could adjust immediately, but because they are at most "a little" off, I just make adjustments to the next batch of water.

This is for my planted discus tank, but the parameters have to be equally exact as a reef. I just added water yesterday to my new reef tank!!

Michael

08/29/2006, 03:07 AM	#1
joniterrett Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: uk Posts: 23	my first water change hi i was wondering if anyone could tell me the best way to do a water change its my first one in a 35gal tank. how do i get the water out and how much????? when i mix the ro water with salt how long do leave it before putting it in?? let me know any other info i might need to know thanks.

08/29/2006, 03:17 AM	#2
essexboy73 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: baltimore Posts: 51	Well rule of thumb says 20% a month...some do 5% a week and some do 10% bi-weekly... to each their own.... As for getting the water out, just put your tubing in front of one of your power heads to start the siphon...then your good to go!! Mix the water first, then by the time your ready to put it back it will be mixed enough..you should always let it stir for atleast for 30 mins...some say a few hours! The easiest way to mix it is to throw a maxi jet in the bucket and let it run...then just use the same maxi to pump the water back into your tank...less messy that way...youll get your own routine down faster then you want

08/29/2006, 03:27 AM	#3
joniterrett Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: uk Posts: 23	thanks once i have changed the water when is it best to do all the tests again should i leave it a bit before i do them or not?

08/29/2006, 05:43 AM	#4
woodstock '69 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: central virginia Posts: 368	Hi joniterett, As far as tests, I usually fill up my 6 test tubes of water just before I start the wc. Then I kinda do the tests as my pump pumps back the new water into the tank. If something is way off (not been a prob yet) I could adjust immediately, but because they are at most "a little" off, I just make adjustments to the next batch of water. This is for my planted discus tank, but the parameters have to be equally exact as a reef. I just added water yesterday to my new reef tank!! Michael