Stupid Question re Water Changes

Fast Eddie H · 03/19/2007, 07:32 PM

Please forgive my ignorance, but I am a newbie to SW and am getting ready to do my first water change. I have a 90 gallon AGA, with a 40 gallon sump and 25 gallon fuge. My question is this.
I have never had a system with a sump before. When doing a water change, do you first unplug the return pump and let the water drain back into the sump or do you keep everything running? I ask because it seems that if you leave everything running and remove water, your main pump would eventually run dry as there would be no more water draining out of the tank due to the drop in water level.

Again, I am sorry for the stupid question, but I want to make sure I am doing things right.

tagraham · 03/19/2007, 07:35 PM

change the water out of your sump not your display. the level in the display wont change.
maby that is what you are doing and im the stupid one idk

Pistonkev · 03/19/2007, 07:38 PM

Bingo shut your pump off and take it from your sump.

scrmbld33 · 03/19/2007, 07:38 PM

i shut off the return on mine for water changes, siphon out crap then add the new water to the tank

clevername · 03/19/2007, 07:53 PM

I take water directly out of the tank and let the return run dry, then turn off the sump (to keep from over heating). Then i add the new water to my sump thats turned on.

Only reason i do this is because i take out more water thats in my sump, so just turning off the sump and taking water out wont work because theres not enough drainage.

PatMayo · 03/19/2007, 10:45 PM

I turn off my sump pump and take the water from the sump. I change 12 gallons per week and my 30 gallon sump works perfect. After I fill the sump back up I just turn on the pump and away I go. Very easy. I have two 300 watt heaters in the sump. I always make sure I turn off my heater controller before I change the water. Just in case.

Regards,

Pat

03/19/2007, 07:32 PM	#1
Fast Eddie H Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 112	Stupid Question re Water Changes Please forgive my ignorance, but I am a newbie to SW and am getting ready to do my first water change. I have a 90 gallon AGA, with a 40 gallon sump and 25 gallon fuge. My question is this. I have never had a system with a sump before. When doing a water change, do you first unplug the return pump and let the water drain back into the sump or do you keep everything running? I ask because it seems that if you leave everything running and remove water, your main pump would eventually run dry as there would be no more water draining out of the tank due to the drop in water level. Again, I am sorry for the stupid question, but I want to make sure I am doing things right. __________________ Not all who wander are lost

03/19/2007, 07:35 PM	#2
tagraham Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mobile, al Posts: 266	change the water out of your sump not your display. the level in the display wont change. maby that is what you are doing and im the stupid one idk __________________ I would rather ask a stupid question than make a stupid mistake. Me Current Tank Info: All sps nano, aprox 10 years in the hobby

03/19/2007, 07:38 PM	#4
scrmbld33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: south jersey 08050 Posts: 2,394	i shut off the return on mine for water changes, siphon out crap then add the new water to the tank __________________ a left over shrimp shedding is not "a sicilian message meaning luca brasi sleeps with the fishes" fish are friends, not food Current Tank Info: 90gal salt, 2 250mh 14k hamiltons 2 110 actinic, 127lbs LR,50lbs tonga 70lbs indonesia 7lbs tonga branch asm g3

03/19/2007, 07:53 PM	#5
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	I take water directly out of the tank and let the return run dry, then turn off the sump (to keep from over heating). Then i add the new water to my sump thats turned on. Only reason i do this is because i take out more water thats in my sump, so just turning off the sump and taking water out wont work because theres not enough drainage. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

03/19/2007, 10:45 PM	#6
PatMayo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,843	I turn off my sump pump and take the water from the sump. I change 12 gallons per week and my 30 gallon sump works perfect. After I fill the sump back up I just turn on the pump and away I go. Very easy. I have two 300 watt heaters in the sump. I always make sure I turn off my heater controller before I change the water. Just in case. Regards, Pat __________________ 90 AGA Megaflow (Setup 1-24-06) 120 Lbs. Liverock EuroReef RS 100 Skimmer 2 X 150 MH 2 X 96 watt PC Actinic 2 Clarki Clowns (31 months old) 1 Niger Trigger (Owned 6 months) 2 Tunze 6055 PH Current Tank Info: 90 AGA Megaflow To Be Mixed Reef

03/19/2007, 07:38 PM	#3
Pistonkev Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 1,107	Bingo shut your pump off and take it from your sump.