Techniques for water changes

snewcrash · 04/15/2009, 06:38 PM

Sorry for the extremely newbie question, but can you guys explain how you do your water changes? I need everything spelled out. Here's what I imagine:

1) Turn off all pumps, skimmers.
2) Take a syphon or pump with tubing and suck out old water? Can this be done from the sump?
3) Syphon new water back into the sump?
4) Turn everything on.

Is this the basic process?

tspors · 04/15/2009, 06:44 PM

Yes, and yes you should pull from sump.
My sump is in the basement. I shut all off. drain out 15 gallons every week and then replace with 15g salt water. Flip pumps back on. My system pumps out to an Ocean CLear filter so not to much stir up in the tank.

snewcrash · 04/15/2009, 06:47 PM

Can you explain your last sentence better? I don't understand how taking water out of the sump would stir up your tank...

tspors · 04/15/2009, 07:08 PM

When my pump turns back on the water returns through a Ocean Clear filter with rock rubble in it. When the pumps kick on there is a rush of water pressure. So omit my last sentence. This refers to my tank only.

PRDubois · 04/15/2009, 07:17 PM

snewcrash - your procedure is good

jenjen · 04/15/2009, 07:19 PM

Just another option b/c your sig doesn't mention how big your sump is. Mine doesn't hold enough water for a 10% water change, so I pull from my main tank. I turn off all pumps etc, then siphon off the main tank and pump back into the main tank. I end up briefly exposing corals on the top and also snails who've climbed to the top, with no problems.

snewcrash · 04/15/2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jenjen
Just another option b/c your sig doesn't mention how big your sump is. Mine doesn't hold enough water for a 10% water change, so I pull from my main tank. I turn off all pumps etc, then siphon off the main tank and pump back into the main tank. I end up briefly exposing corals on the top and also snails who've climbed to the top, with no problems.

Thanks, I'm going to have a 55 gallon sump underneath so I should be good going from the sump. Does anyone recommend a siphon I can buy or should I just get some hose and suck? I probably don't need to get a pump, siphoning should be fine right?

jenjen · 04/15/2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snewcrash
Thanks, I'm going to have a 55 gallon sump underneath so I should be good going from the sump. Does anyone recommend a siphon I can buy or should I just get some hose and suck? I probably don't need to get a pump, siphoning should be fine right?

Siphon is fine as long as you can get the source higher than the end point. I use a generic hand pump siphon which lets you start the siphon with your hand rather than sucking (eew!). I just use a pump to return because my tank is higher than I care to place the new water.

snewcrash · 04/15/2009, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the help!

melev · 04/15/2009, 07:58 PM

More info here:

How to Change Water in Your Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-11/nftt/index.php

Sisterlimonpot · 04/15/2009, 08:53 PM

melev in the NTTH forum. This is a real treat.

waldomas · 04/15/2009, 09:09 PM

My sump is on the basement floor to aid w/ cooling so I use a shop-vac to syphon the detritus from the bottom. It works great! Only pitfall is I can only do 10 - 15 gal. at a time.

I sometimes change 50 gal at a time so I use a maxijet w/ some vinyl hose to pump out most of the water before using the shop-vac. I then pump back in the new water w/ the same maxijet. 10 min. job!

waldomas · 04/15/2009, 09:11 PM

If you cahnge out a sumps worth, you can even bring the replacement water up to temp after you pump it into the sump.

I keep the vor-techs running while the main return pump is off for the change. The fish never know it happened!

w16227 · 04/16/2009, 11:02 AM

The process varies from person to person - usually depending upon tank location with respect to your main plumbing.

I have a sub-basement (half stairwell) near the tank. This is where I mix the replacement water. I use a maxjet1200 to bring the water to the sump - and run a siphon from the main tank to a bathroom on the main floor. this means that I am adding and removing at the same time.

I can throttle the levels in the tank by stopping the drain siphon. At the end, I overfill the sump a bit then siphon out the extra to the regular "full " line on the sump.

Unless it is an emergency, mix the water up ahead of time. Run a powerhead in the container and bring up to temperature. My method continuously mixes the new water with the old - minimizing any shock - but it is still a good idea as this will stabilize the new water.

fishwonder · 04/16/2009, 08:42 PM

How far in advance should I mix water? 1 day or 2 days is enough? My sum is small I have to take water from both the display and the sum.

melev · 04/16/2009, 09:07 PM

I'm guessing you mean sump when you say sum. Did you read the article yet? 24 hours is a good rule.

davewbush · 04/16/2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snewcrash
Does anyone recommend a siphon I can buy or should I just get some hose and suck?

A mouth full of salt water doesen't tast good. Take your hose over to the sink and fill it about half way, take it to your sump or tank and put one end in the tank and plug the other with your finger. Don't let the water go into the tank or sump, place the pluged side over your bucket and remove your finger. The water leaving the hose will pull the water from your sump or tank.

I just use a 3/4 inch hose to due water changes. Siphan it out and put it back in with a mag 7 pump.

monotreme_man · 04/20/2009, 02:06 AM

i have two identical small pumps, one in the saltwater bin (feeding sump)
and one in the sump (feeding into the waste bin). they are plugged into
an intermatic timer controller with two outlets. the timer is on for 3 minutes
per day (effectively doing a 4gal water change daily). (this is on a 250gal
volume.)

of course, this can be varied to run longer less frequently. or manually
if you prefer.

agreeive?fish · 04/20/2009, 06:32 AM

Easiest method

Hire some one else to do it

Also the most expensive method

Fizz71 · 04/20/2009, 07:12 AM

I would recommend a cheap submersible pump or powerhead. Secure it to some flexible tubing from home depot with a few zip ties and you your never have to suck or even touch the water. It's portable and works both ways (water in/water out) and can be left running in the tub your mixing!

The only down side is if you want to clean detritus from the cracks it can be a pain. But for simple water movement...let a pump do it.

I have an old dolphin pump setup like I said that pumps RO to my mix tub, but I can use it anywhere I want. All my other stuff is on drains and pumps too. All my water changes are done without me touchnig or even LIFTING any water.

snewcrash · 04/20/2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fizz71
I would recommend a cheap submersible pump or powerhead. Secure it to some flexible tubing from home depot with a few zip ties and you your never have to suck or even touch the water. It's portable and works both ways (water in/water out) and can be left running in the tub your mixing!

The only down side is if you want to clean detritus from the cracks it can be a pain. But for simple water movement...let a pump do it.

I have an old dolphin pump setup like I said that pumps RO to my mix tub, but I can use it anywhere I want. All my other stuff is on drains and pumps too. All my water changes are done without me touchnig or even LIFTING any water.

Thanks, I got a quiet one 1200 for cheap that I'm going to use to move the water and also to mix the saltwater...

04/15/2009, 06:38 PM	#1
snewcrash Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 349	Techniques for water changes Sorry for the extremely newbie question, but can you guys explain how you do your water changes? I need everything spelled out. Here's what I imagine: 1) Turn off all pumps, skimmers. 2) Take a syphon or pump with tubing and suck out old water? Can this be done from the sump? 3) Syphon new water back into the sump? 4) Turn everything on. Is this the basic process?

04/15/2009, 06:44 PM	#2
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	Yes, and yes you should pull from sump. My sump is in the basement. I shut all off. drain out 15 gallons every week and then replace with 15g salt water. Flip pumps back on. My system pumps out to an Ocean CLear filter so not to much stir up in the tank. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

04/15/2009, 07:08 PM	#4
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	When my pump turns back on the water returns through a Ocean Clear filter with rock rubble in it. When the pumps kick on there is a rush of water pressure. So omit my last sentence. This refers to my tank only. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

04/15/2009, 07:17 PM	#5
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	snewcrash - your procedure is good __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/15/2009, 07:19 PM	#6
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	Just another option b/c your sig doesn't mention how big your sump is. Mine doesn't hold enough water for a 10% water change, so I pull from my main tank. I turn off all pumps etc, then siphon off the main tank and pump back into the main tank. I end up briefly exposing corals on the top and also snails who've climbed to the top, with no problems. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

04/15/2009, 06:47 PM	#3
snewcrash Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 349	Can you explain your last sentence better? I don't understand how taking water out of the sump would stir up your tank...

04/15/2009, 07:34 PM	#9
snewcrash Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 349	Thanks for the help!

04/15/2009, 07:58 PM	#10
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	More info here: How to Change Water in Your Reef Aquarium http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-11/nftt/index.php

04/15/2009, 08:53 PM	#11
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	melev in the NTTH forum. This is a real treat. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/15/2009, 09:09 PM	#12
waldomas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 761	My sump is on the basement floor to aid w/ cooling so I use a shop-vac to syphon the detritus from the bottom. It works great! Only pitfall is I can only do 10 - 15 gal. at a time. I sometimes change 50 gal at a time so I use a maxijet w/ some vinyl hose to pump out most of the water before using the shop-vac. I then pump back in the new water w/ the same maxijet. 10 min. job!

04/15/2009, 09:11 PM	#13
waldomas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 761	If you cahnge out a sumps worth, you can even bring the replacement water up to temp after you pump it into the sump. I keep the vor-techs running while the main return pump is off for the change. The fish never know it happened!

04/16/2009, 11:02 AM	#14
w16227 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: chicago Burbs Posts: 479	The process varies from person to person - usually depending upon tank location with respect to your main plumbing. I have a sub-basement (half stairwell) near the tank. This is where I mix the replacement water. I use a maxjet1200 to bring the water to the sump - and run a siphon from the main tank to a bathroom on the main floor. this means that I am adding and removing at the same time. I can throttle the levels in the tank by stopping the drain siphon. At the end, I overfill the sump a bit then siphon out the extra to the regular "full " line on the sump. Unless it is an emergency, mix the water up ahead of time. Run a powerhead in the container and bring up to temperature. My method continuously mixes the new water with the old - minimizing any shock - but it is still a good idea as this will stabilize the new water. __________________ call me "w" - easier to remember Current Tank Info: 125g All Glass rr, 50g sump/fuge, RKE, T5 Retrofit Lights, Deltec Turbo Skimmer, PM Kalk Reactor

04/16/2009, 08:42 PM	#15
fishwonder Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 92	Mixing water in advance How far in advance should I mix water? 1 day or 2 days is enough? My sum is small I have to take water from both the display and the sum.

04/16/2009, 09:07 PM	#16
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I'm guessing you mean sump when you say sum. Did you read the article yet? 24 hours is a good rule.

04/20/2009, 02:06 AM	#18
monotreme_man Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 228	i have two identical small pumps, one in the saltwater bin (feeding sump) and one in the sump (feeding into the waste bin). they are plugged into an intermatic timer controller with two outlets. the timer is on for 3 minutes per day (effectively doing a 4gal water change daily). (this is on a 250gal volume.) of course, this can be varied to run longer less frequently. or manually if you prefer.

04/20/2009, 06:32 AM	#19
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	Easiest method Hire some one else to do it Also the most expensive method

04/20/2009, 07:12 AM	#20
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I would recommend a cheap submersible pump or powerhead. Secure it to some flexible tubing from home depot with a few zip ties and you your never have to suck or even touch the water. It's portable and works both ways (water in/water out) and can be left running in the tub your mixing! The only down side is if you want to clean detritus from the cracks it can be a pain. But for simple water movement...let a pump do it. I have an old dolphin pump setup like I said that pumps RO to my mix tub, but I can use it anywhere I want. All my other stuff is on drains and pumps too. All my water changes are done without me touchnig or even LIFTING any water. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact). Last edited by Fizz71; 04/20/2009 at 07:18 AM.