Water change times

daveverdo · 07/23/2008, 08:10 PM

I was just getting ready to do a water change when the tank lights went out and I thought "Should I do this after lights out?"

So I will pose the question to all of you.

When is a good or bad time to do a water change or does it matter?

I have a basement sump and the water changes are pretty automated. Open a valve, empty X gallons down the drain. Turn on pump in tank with premixed salt water and refill X gallons. I can do it before lights on in the morning, middle of the day, after lights out, middle of the night.

Any pros and cons?

Dave

Conesus_Kid · 07/23/2008, 08:14 PM

I do mine in the AM before the lights come on. I remember Calfo saying something about coralline dying off when exposed to high intensity lighting when the water level is lowered during the change.

Capt_Cully · 07/23/2008, 08:14 PM

Personally, I prefer to do it once my halides come on. AKA business hours in the tank. I don't worry so much about freaking any inhabitants out, plus visibility is at its finest for seeking and siphoning detritus.

Now, is that good, bad, indifferent? I don't know. Just the way I prefer to handle it.

Hope that helps a little.

Cully

nwrogers · 07/23/2008, 08:58 PM

I don't think it matters personally. I do it whenever I get around to it.

Kent E · 07/23/2008, 09:35 PM

Whenever- day, evening, sometimes when feeling spunky in the middle of the night. I think inhabitants know somethings up but I don't think they get stressed.

treefer · 07/29/2008, 07:26 PM

same as Kent E if i have time and the lights happen to be on, than it gets done.

oceanparadise1 · 07/29/2008, 07:43 PM

i dont think it really matters

07/23/2008, 08:10 PM	#1
daveverdo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Horseheads, NY Posts: 1,881	Water change times I was just getting ready to do a water change when the tank lights went out and I thought "Should I do this after lights out?" So I will pose the question to all of you. When is a good or bad time to do a water change or does it matter? I have a basement sump and the water changes are pretty automated. Open a valve, empty X gallons down the drain. Turn on pump in tank with premixed salt water and refill X gallons. I can do it before lights on in the morning, middle of the day, after lights out, middle of the night. Any pros and cons? Dave

07/23/2008, 08:14 PM	#2
Conesus_Kid Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Conesus, NY Posts: 3,897	I do mine in the AM before the lights come on. I remember Calfo saying something about coralline dying off when exposed to high intensity lighting when the water level is lowered during the change. __________________ Scott Friends don't give friends Kenya tree...

07/23/2008, 08:14 PM	#3
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	Personally, I prefer to do it once my halides come on. AKA business hours in the tank. I don't worry so much about freaking any inhabitants out, plus visibility is at its finest for seeking and siphoning detritus. Now, is that good, bad, indifferent? I don't know. Just the way I prefer to handle it. Hope that helps a little. Cully __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

07/23/2008, 08:58 PM	#4
nwrogers Got gorgs? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Binghamton NY Posts: 3,151	I don't think it matters personally. I do it whenever I get around to it. __________________ Nate Current Tank Info: 65g RR Coral Reef SSB w/ 150lbs Fiji Live Rock, Hydor Koralia Wavemaker 2 w/ 2 K4's, 1 175w 10K SE MH, 2 VHO Super Actinic, Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper, ASM G3 Skimmer, Korallin Calcium Reactor, GEO kalk reactor, 75g basement sump

07/23/2008, 09:35 PM	#5
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	Whenever- day, evening, sometimes when feeling spunky in the middle of the night. I think inhabitants know somethings up but I don't think they get stressed. __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

07/29/2008, 07:26 PM	#6
treefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Corning Ny Posts: 260	same as Kent E if i have time and the lights happen to be on, than it gets done. __________________ save the fish, pee outside

07/29/2008, 07:43 PM	#7
oceanparadise1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rochester,NY Posts: 2,925	i dont think it really matters