Water change setup

LisaJill · 09/01/2008, 08:14 PM

Alright, so water changes for me right now are really, really hard. I can't lift the canopy (too bulky for me to balance) so I find myself lifting a cup at a time out of a bucket of pre-mixed saltwater. Heh.

So, I need a solution. I read that many people use a trash can to pre-mix, using some powerheads and a heater, then use a Mag pump to pump the water directly into the tank? I have a python to get the water out and directly into the sink, so this mag solution sounds like the right one for me, and would mean I'd be more likely to keep up with said water changes.

What size mag pump does one need to move the saltwater from the garbage bin into the tank? The entrance into the tank is about 5.5 feet tall. What's the setup involved here? I'm not a DIY type, and I don't follow instructions and schematics well. Is it just a matter of hooking up a plastic line to the pump, placing the other end in the tank and letting it pump away?

Any help on making this unpleasant and tedious chore easier would make my reefing experience so much better and be really, really appreciated.

Thank you!

Playa-1 · 09/01/2008, 08:37 PM

I just use a little cheapo maxi-jet 1200 and a piece of 1/2" poly flow tubing that I keep rolled up in the garage.
On water change day I will roll out the tubing and put one end on the output of the maxi-jet and one end in the tank and plug it in.
The first time you use the hose you will need to heat the end with a cigarette lighter, hot water or a hair dryer so that you will be able to slip it over the outlet of the maxi-jet. I use the maxi-jet to mix salt, Kalk, and move water for water changes. It's a tough little pump for $17.

You could also use just about any submersible pump for this purpose. For a small water change I would just make a couple of trips to the garage with a small bucket and be done with it. But If I'm moving a lotta water for some reason, like filling up the qt or something, then I will break out the pump.

Landon B. · 09/01/2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LisaJill
Is it just a matter of hooking up a plastic line to the pump, placing the other end in the tank and letting it pump away?

Thats about it! If you don't have tools and a desire to do a little diy plumbing work you can simply put the pump in the can hook up some tube and pump away! Check the head loss calculator on the main page to determine what Mag pump will push the water as high as you need to go and bingo!

LisaJill · 09/01/2008, 08:53 PM

You guys are awesome; thank you so much! Right now, on my 65 gallon, I'm trying to do approximately 10 gallons a week - but with the setup as I have it; that's just not happening. Do you know how long it takes to pour a cup at a time of 10 gallons, and how much spillage there is? Not to mention my back by the end of it.... =)

It's like a comedy sketch!

This will help a ton, and let me keep some saltwater always on hand. I do need to set up a quarantine tank to and this'll ease that process greatly.

My intention is to get this garbage can of saltwater set up permanently next to the tank, and pay someone to build a fake cabinet around it so that it's hidden. Few pieces of plywood, a hinge for a door ,and I should ahve a nice, hidden, and easy to use water change system. That's the goal anyway!

Or just get one on wheels and keep it in the laundry room.

Thank you again, you guys are awesome. =)

CAROLGYRL · 09/01/2008, 10:32 PM

I keep at plastic garbage container in the garage, with filtered water ready for a change. I use a garden hose. I empty our how much in a couple of minutes, , then refill with the same, mark the tank where the water level should be when you take out what you need. make sure that you have enough water made, because you'll have to run to the store for distilled if you have not made enough!!They say add your salt a day or two before and have it stirred, and mixed up good.make sure correct temp too

baitshopboy · 09/02/2008, 05:12 AM

I made a little thing that I use for auto top off but might help you out till you get this setup. I bought this

and I just cut off the green spicket with some scissors and I cut off about 8 inches of tube from my syphon and jammed it in the hole. Then I cut a 3inch by 3 inch square on the top of the jug to put the water in and it works great. 2.5 gallons.

09/01/2008, 08:14 PM	#1
LisaJill Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 248	Water change setup Alright, so water changes for me right now are really, really hard. I can't lift the canopy (too bulky for me to balance) so I find myself lifting a cup at a time out of a bucket of pre-mixed saltwater. Heh. So, I need a solution. I read that many people use a trash can to pre-mix, using some powerheads and a heater, then use a Mag pump to pump the water directly into the tank? I have a python to get the water out and directly into the sink, so this mag solution sounds like the right one for me, and would mean I'd be more likely to keep up with said water changes. What size mag pump does one need to move the saltwater from the garbage bin into the tank? The entrance into the tank is about 5.5 feet tall. What's the setup involved here? I'm not a DIY type, and I don't follow instructions and schematics well. Is it just a matter of hooking up a plastic line to the pump, placing the other end in the tank and letting it pump away? Any help on making this unpleasant and tedious chore easier would make my reefing experience so much better and be really, really appreciated. Thank you!

09/01/2008, 08:37 PM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I just use a little cheapo maxi-jet 1200 and a piece of 1/2" poly flow tubing that I keep rolled up in the garage. On water change day I will roll out the tubing and put one end on the output of the maxi-jet and one end in the tank and plug it in. The first time you use the hose you will need to heat the end with a cigarette lighter, hot water or a hair dryer so that you will be able to slip it over the outlet of the maxi-jet. I use the maxi-jet to mix salt, Kalk, and move water for water changes. It's a tough little pump for $17. You could also use just about any submersible pump for this purpose. For a small water change I would just make a couple of trips to the garage with a small bucket and be done with it. But If I'm moving a lotta water for some reason, like filling up the qt or something, then I will break out the pump.

09/01/2008, 08:53 PM	#4
LisaJill Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 248	You guys are awesome; thank you so much! Right now, on my 65 gallon, I'm trying to do approximately 10 gallons a week - but with the setup as I have it; that's just not happening. Do you know how long it takes to pour a cup at a time of 10 gallons, and how much spillage there is? Not to mention my back by the end of it.... =) It's like a comedy sketch! This will help a ton, and let me keep some saltwater always on hand. I do need to set up a quarantine tank to and this'll ease that process greatly. My intention is to get this garbage can of saltwater set up permanently next to the tank, and pay someone to build a fake cabinet around it so that it's hidden. Few pieces of plywood, a hinge for a door ,and I should ahve a nice, hidden, and easy to use water change system. That's the goal anyway! Or just get one on wheels and keep it in the laundry room. Thank you again, you guys are awesome. =)

09/01/2008, 10:32 PM	#5
CAROLGYRL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: PALM DESERT, CA. Posts: 184	I keep at plastic garbage container in the garage, with filtered water ready for a change. I use a garden hose. I empty our how much in a couple of minutes, , then refill with the same, mark the tank where the water level should be when you take out what you need. make sure that you have enough water made, because you'll have to run to the store for distilled if you have not made enough!!They say add your salt a day or two before and have it stirred, and mixed up good.make sure correct temp too

09/02/2008, 05:12 AM	#6
baitshopboy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a van down by the river, IL Posts: 189	I made a little thing that I use for auto top off but might help you out till you get this setup. I bought this and I just cut off the green spicket with some scissors and I cut off about 8 inches of tube from my syphon and jammed it in the hole. Then I cut a 3inch by 3 inch square on the top of the jug to put the water in and it works great. 2.5 gallons.