WATER CHANGE PROCEDURES

[ansonluna]

There has got to be a better way...
I would like to know how you guys/gals do water changes out there. My antiquated routine SUCKS!! I mostly wanted to start this thread to steal an idea or two.

I have a 125 with a 40 gal sump/fuge. These are my steps every 2 weeks:

1) syphone water into oceanic bucket (4x)
2) fill bucket with water and add/mix salt (4x)
3) use 1gal pitcher to add water back into tank (approx 20x) - this step
stresses the fish out

I'm tired just thinking about it.

[Alamo]

I have a rubbermaid 45 gal trash can i make ro water in, using a powerhead, and 25 feet of black tubing i pump about 20 gallons of water into another 45 gal can i put by the tank (I also have a 125 gal tank), I make up the saltwater in that can, when its ready using powerhead and line I pump out the same amount of water from my tank into another can that I use only for waste water, when the water levels are the same, I put the new salt water back into the tank with the powerhead and line... still a pain in the butt, but easier than what your doing now :)

[ansonluna]

Yeah, that seem like some work too, but I bet you don't make quite the water mess that I do :lol .

[monica]

I feel for you if you are using a pitcher to do water changes, I also use a pump and hose , I run a hose out the door since I marked my fuge where the change needs to stop so I only use one bucket to have fresh saltwater.

[jaded]

I use a 32 gallon trash can on wheels (Home Depot can$24 wheels $27) to mix the saltwater. I put my two heaters in there while a MAG style pump mixes the water. Once the water is at the right salinity and temp I use the pump and a hose to pump water directly down the toilet. I just guess at the amount of water to remove from the tank... it took a couple of tries but I got that down now :) Then I just pump in the new water. It's not tough, It takes awhile (mainly because of the water temp coming from my outside waterhose) its kinda like laundry... it takes an hour, but all but a couple of minutes of that is watching TV

[jaded]

P.S. The wheels come in handy if you end up with a bit of extra water left over... That stuff is heavy!!!

[CD]

We follow pretty much the same procedure as others here.
We have 2 55G drums for fresh and salt water.
Toss a pump in the sump and pump it dry or as close as possible.
Pump water back into the sump to a predetermined line while everything is still shut off.
Crank it all back up and then we are done.
I used to dread water changes pre 100gpd RO/DI and 55G barrels- Now it takes 10 minutes.
Of course we only do 15G a week. Once we get the 210 set up, I will put the Mag18 to work for the changes.

Chris

[Polkster13]

I use two 35 gallon trash cans on wheels. One is premixed saltwater and the other is for the waste water. I siphon the water from the main tank into the empty "waste" can until it reaches the water level in the pre-mix can. I then use a pump and hose to pump the new water back into the tank.

[dan]

here's how i do it. easy.....easy.....easy..........

[Polkster13]

We're waiting...

Did I miss something? :unsure

[Polkster13]

Oh, there's a picture. Wasn't there the first time. Really wierd!

[speakerguy]

My water change system is still in the planning. But I'm using two 58 gallon aquariums, one right above the other. The top one will have a float valve installed and will be for RO/DI storage, including a heater and a small pump for aeration of the RO/DI. It will have a drain w/ball valve into another 58 below with another heater and a larger salt mixing / water delivery pump. This way I should always have about 50 gallons of fresh salt for any emergency water changes, and another 50g RO/DI on tap for top off or emergency salt mix purposes (in case it needs a second water change).

The main point of my setup is based on the idea that, if you aerate the water, let the salt mix a day or two, and equilibriate PH & temp levels, you should be able to do near 100% water change without stressing the animals (main tank is only 70G). It also gives you the chance to add buffer or Ca to your saltwater to make up for any deficiencies in your salt mix.