Water Changes With A sump

Josh Candiotti · 07/06/2009, 12:42 PM

I am adding a sump and I wanted to know, how do you perform a water change with one? Do you turn the pumps off? Do you take the water out form the DT or the sump? Where to do you put the new water into the DT or the Sump?

Fish_wiz2 · 07/06/2009, 04:19 PM

Yes for turning it off or else the return will burn (which mine did

), I prefer to remove water from the sump because then i can siphon out detrius there and leave the tank undisturbed, and i put water back into the sump to again keep the DT undisturbed. Hope that helps, Wiz

CSAreefer · 07/06/2009, 05:20 PM

really depends on your sump size and pump placement as to whether or not you need to turn everything off. I can siphon 10-15g out of my current system before it gets too low for the pump and in my last system i could easily do 50g water changes while the whole system is running.

Myself i like to blast the rocks with a turkey baster in the display wait a few hours then siphon my waterchange water from the sump just makes it easier then after i take out the old water i put the new water into the sump making sure to match the old waters parameters for temp salinity calc and alk

snorvich · 07/06/2009, 07:38 PM

Taking water from the sump has the advantage of allowing you to return the level exactly where it was (protein skimmer issue). Plus, a clean sump is a good thing. But yes, turn off your return first.

flamron · 07/06/2009, 08:09 PM

I actually siphon both - I empty my return chamber (I have three - skimmer - return - fuge) and then I take the DT down to a certain level. It took a few times to get right, but now I know exactly how much to take out. Then I just refill the sump and kick on the return pump once the sump is full enough.

Eric the half-bee · 07/06/2009, 08:20 PM

I also turn off pumps and siphon out of the sump. Its quick & easy...

Toddrtrex · 07/06/2009, 08:51 PM

I drain from my display tank, mainly because I gravel vac my shallow sandbed. Once in a blue moon (( and likely not as often as I should )) I will clean out the sump.

Poeticlydead · 07/06/2009, 08:55 PM

I'm not sure it really matters though no matter what you do I recommend you grab an extra unmodded maxi jet or similar type power head and some tubing. On that size tank can a small unmoded powerhead can be used to mix your water for the change, pump the water from the sump (seems to be the recommendation) and pump the prepared water back in.

I know this seems like a duh but wish someone would of pointed out to me before I did my first water change on the 90.

flamron · 07/07/2009, 05:48 AM

maxijet? LOL - I use an eheim pump and 30ft of 5/8" tubing to do my w/c's. Takes me longer to get the pump out and get it plugged in and set up than it does to do the w/c.

n00by · 07/07/2009, 11:46 AM

You can always just shut everything down, remove water from DTm place a temp mark on the reduced waterline and refill back to the top. That way you don't need to use a pump or anything since the DT is going to be higher than your bucket or rubbermaid that you're emptying into. Plus you can snatch out a few floating particles in the DT that way.

fatdaddy · 07/07/2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CSAreefer
Myself i like to blast the rocks with a turkey baster in the display wait a few hours

Am I the only one that uses a powerhead for this? I have a turkey baster for small jobs and feeding my anemones with krill.

Indymann99 · 07/08/2009, 08:37 AM

I do water changes out of my sump...

pros
1. The DT waterlevel only drops to the level of my overflow
2. I keep the Powerheads in the DT running so minimal disturbance to the DT.
3. Mark the level of PUMP OFF in sump and you can refill to the exact same level every time.

Cons
1. I really cant vac my sand but I dont do that anyway.. Goby and Nass snails stir
2. if your sump is on the floor a siphon prob not work to take water out (I use a pump).

Proceedure from sump

1. Shut OFF return pump
2. Shut OFF skimmer
3. Shut OFF ATO
4. Shut OFF heater(s)
5. Let DT drain to overlow level (5min) MARK PUMP OFF level with blue tape, pen, etc.
6. Drain water from Skimmer and Return sections of sump (I use a pump to a drain, but could use shop vac / other)
7. Refill fresh SW to PUMP OFF level.
Start all systems
(I turn ON my ATO after about 15min when all the levels have settled out.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/DSC_0092.jpg

RDENNI15 · 07/08/2009, 09:19 AM

I just turn everything off, let it drain into the sump then begin siphoning out 15 gallons from my 75g DT. I use a 5g bucket that I marked where the exact 5g level is and then I refill the DT and restart the system, it takes me a good 15 minutes

monotreme_man · 07/08/2009, 03:08 PM

i use two via-aqua 480 water pumps, one in skimmer section of sump (going to waste)
and one in premixed saltwater barrel (going to refugium), connected to a dual
intermatic timer. right now, i use manual controls. but soon
i will be using the timer to turn it on for 2 minutes once a day.

Poeticlydead · 07/08/2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flamron
maxijet? LOL - I use an eheim pump and 30ft of 5/8" tubing to do my w/c's. Takes me longer to get the pump out and get it plugged in and set up than it does to do the w/c.

When you have an extra 600 and 1200 laying around they are more then sufficient to do the job with 1/2 or 3/4 tubing on the outlet or 5/8 on the inlet depending on your set up shouldn't need more then say 8-15' (if longer you may want to use a larger pump like flamron). I use the same powerheads to mix the saltwater before the change then just connect to my tube and good to go. Again I think this is all just a matter of preference, go with what ever works for you just make sure your water is at temp and salinity before you add to your system.

07/06/2009, 12:42 PM	#1
Josh Candiotti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York Posts: 490	Water Changes With A sump I am adding a sump and I wanted to know, how do you perform a water change with one? Do you turn the pumps off? Do you take the water out form the DT or the sump? Where to do you put the new water into the DT or the Sump? __________________ JC Current Tank Info: 65 Reef Tank

07/06/2009, 04:19 PM	#2
Fish_wiz2 Mangroves are kool. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,246	Yes for turning it off or else the return will burn (which mine did ), I prefer to remove water from the sump because then i can siphon out detrius there and leave the tank undisturbed, and i put water back into the sump to again keep the DT undisturbed. Hope that helps, Wiz __________________ -The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond

07/06/2009, 07:38 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Taking water from the sump has the advantage of allowing you to return the level exactly where it was (protein skimmer issue). Plus, a clean sump is a good thing. But yes, turn off your return first. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

07/06/2009, 08:09 PM	#5
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	I actually siphon both - I empty my return chamber (I have three - skimmer - return - fuge) and then I take the DT down to a certain level. It took a few times to get right, but now I know exactly how much to take out. Then I just refill the sump and kick on the return pump once the sump is full enough. __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

07/06/2009, 08:20 PM	#6
Eric the half-bee Passer of gasses Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Space Coast, FL Posts: 837	I also turn off pumps and siphon out of the sump. Its quick & easy... __________________ MOLON LABE - King Leonidas I A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. – Barry Goldwater Current Tank Info: Semi agressive reef-400 gal.-8 tangs,2 rabbit fish,zebra moray,blue ribbon eel,Janss' pipe,pair bangaiis,wrasse,tomato clown,maroon clown

07/06/2009, 05:20 PM	#3
CSAreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 104	really depends on your sump size and pump placement as to whether or not you need to turn everything off. I can siphon 10-15g out of my current system before it gets too low for the pump and in my last system i could easily do 50g water changes while the whole system is running. Myself i like to blast the rocks with a turkey baster in the display wait a few hours then siphon my waterchange water from the sump just makes it easier then after i take out the old water i put the new water into the sump making sure to match the old waters parameters for temp salinity calc and alk

07/06/2009, 08:51 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I drain from my display tank, mainly because I gravel vac my shallow sandbed. Once in a blue moon (( and likely not as often as I should )) I will clean out the sump. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/06/2009, 08:55 PM	#8
Poeticlydead Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 414	I'm not sure it really matters though no matter what you do I recommend you grab an extra unmodded maxi jet or similar type power head and some tubing. On that size tank can a small unmoded powerhead can be used to mix your water for the change, pump the water from the sump (seems to be the recommendation) and pump the prepared water back in. I know this seems like a duh but wish someone would of pointed out to me before I did my first water change on the 90. __________________ No, I can't spell and no I don't care how it is spelled. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef tank, 40g FOWLR, couple of nanos

07/07/2009, 05:48 AM	#9
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	maxijet? LOL - I use an eheim pump and 30ft of 5/8" tubing to do my w/c's. Takes me longer to get the pump out and get it plugged in and set up than it does to do the w/c. __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

07/07/2009, 11:46 AM	#10
n00by Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 347	You can always just shut everything down, remove water from DTm place a temp mark on the reduced waterline and refill back to the top. That way you don't need to use a pump or anything since the DT is going to be higher than your bucket or rubbermaid that you're emptying into. Plus you can snatch out a few floating particles in the DT that way.

07/08/2009, 08:37 AM	#12
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I do water changes out of my sump... pros 1. The DT waterlevel only drops to the level of my overflow 2. I keep the Powerheads in the DT running so minimal disturbance to the DT. 3. Mark the level of PUMP OFF in sump and you can refill to the exact same level every time. Cons 1. I really cant vac my sand but I dont do that anyway.. Goby and Nass snails stir 2. if your sump is on the floor a siphon prob not work to take water out (I use a pump). Proceedure from sump 1. Shut OFF return pump 2. Shut OFF skimmer 3. Shut OFF ATO 4. Shut OFF heater(s) 5. Let DT drain to overlow level (5min) MARK PUMP OFF level with blue tape, pen, etc. 6. Drain water from Skimmer and Return sections of sump (I use a pump to a drain, but could use shop vac / other) 7. Refill fresh SW to PUMP OFF level. Start all systems (I turn ON my ATO after about 15min when all the levels have settled out. http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/DSC_0092.jpg __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

07/08/2009, 09:19 AM	#13
RDENNI15 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 34	I just turn everything off, let it drain into the sump then begin siphoning out 15 gallons from my 75g DT. I use a 5g bucket that I marked where the exact 5g level is and then I refill the DT and restart the system, it takes me a good 15 minutes

07/08/2009, 03:08 PM	#14
monotreme_man Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 228	i use two via-aqua 480 water pumps, one in skimmer section of sump (going to waste) and one in premixed saltwater barrel (going to refugium), connected to a dual intermatic timer. right now, i use manual controls. but soon i will be using the timer to turn it on for 2 minutes once a day.