| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
RockStarFish 
Guest
Joined: August 06 2005
Location: WVC
Status: Offline
Points: 2751
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Water change
Posted: March 04 2006 at 10:35am |
|
How often do I need to do a 50% water change and what is the easyest way to do it with a fully stocked tank?
|
 |
dnellans
Guest
Joined: October 29 2003
Location: Uzbekistan
Status: Offline
Points: 842
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 10:42am |
|
do you have a sump? if you have a sump that can handle 5-10 gallons of extra water... i just fill up the sump with the extra then drain that same amount from the main tank. that way no turning off pumps at all or worrying about them running dry.
do that a few times and you will have done a 50% water change on your tank whatever size it is...
|
|
RockStarFish
Guest
Joined: August 06 2005
Location: WVC
Status: Offline
Points: 2751
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 11:47am |
|
I have a 55gl with a 30g sump
|
|
dnellans
Guest
Joined: October 29 2003
Location: Uzbekistan
Status: Offline
Points: 842
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:26pm |
|
then either partially drain the tank (which causes the sump to go down), but don't let the pumps become unsubmerged, then add back in the new water to the sump.
or fill up the sump to its capacity, then drain the tank of the excess....
either way just make sure you don't burn your pump up by letting it run dry. the first method is more "efficient" as far as new/old water change but it probably doesn't matter much.
i use method 2 because then i know the pump will never run dry. and do 3 x 10Gal and that is a 100% waterchange roughly...
-dave
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:46pm |
 RockStarFish wrote:
How often do I need to do a 50% water change? |
Never!
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:48pm |
|
Why are you asking about that large of a water change?
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
|
n o o d l z
Guest
Joined: March 04 2006
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 42
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:49pm |
|
I'd do smaller ~10-15% water changes at a more regular interval every week, rather than one at 50%. Changing that much water at once is sure to shock you tank's inhabitants.
|
|
RockStarFish
Guest
Joined: August 06 2005
Location: WVC
Status: Offline
Points: 2751
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:47pm |
|
I read in a book that you should do a 50% water change two times a year.I was just woundering because it has been over a year since I have had my tank running and thaught it was time to do a hard core cleaning
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 04 2006 at 2:25pm |
Water changes are like moving a bit more of the ocean through an aquarium. Some public aquariums near the ocean change much more water than the normal hobbyist. They also keep a denser population of fish with fewer or no coral. Yet there are quite a few hobbyists that have beautiful tanks where the water has been changed at about 10% per month for years and years.
As for "hard core cleaning", the life that grows in a mature tank, which some might perceive as dirty, can actually be the best thing for the life and health of the tank. I'm talking about on the rock, in the sand, etc. Pipes, pumps and other equipment excepted.
Can you post a pic of your tank? how about some close ups? A visit to see other tanks would help you see how yours can be improved, if it needs any improvement.
Edited by Mark Peterson
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
|
