Water Changes

[Guest Kimo]

Ok, I admit it.

 

I am lazy.  I hate changing 40 gallons of water using 5 gallon Home Depot buckets.  Therefore, I don't do it as often as I should.  

 

]]1dea3

 

Yesterday, I changed 30 gallons in my ~200 gallon system, and it took me about 30-40 minutes.  Much better than the 1-2 hours it was taking with the bucket method.  Here's what I do now:

 

I have 2 brute trashcans in my garage, one empty, one filled with the water I want to use for the water change.  I have ~40' of 1/2" ID tubing with a hose barb->FPT adaptor on one end and   hose barb->MPT adaptor on the other.  I have attached the MPT to a 1/2" threaded ball valve.  I have another barb->MPT in the other end so I can attach more tubing for removing cyano, etc.

 

I have a mag 7 that I use for mixing the water.

 

1.)  Use the tubing (ball valve on tank end) to siphon water from the tank to the empty trash can.  Note the water level before the siphon starts.  Turn off all tank pumps when doing this, and suck out any cyano, algae, etc that you want to remove from the tank.  Make sure you don't take out more water than you have in the other trashcan.  This makes it easy to measure the amount of water you are removing from the tank.

 

2.)  Stop the siphon when you have removed enough water, and close the ball valve.

 

3.)  Attach the FPT end to the mag 7 (in the ASW storage trash can) and turn it on.

 

4.)  Go to the tank and open the ball valve.  Fill the tank until the water level is at the level it was before you siphoned water from the tank.

 

5.)  Close the ball valve and start circulation in the tank.

 

6.)  Remove the tubing from the mag 7 and clean up!

 

Planned changes:  I will put a 1/2" union between the mag 7 and the end of the tubing to make for an easier transition from drain to fill.

 

This is SOOOO much easier than using buckets.  I keep the trash cans in my garage, and just run the tubing through the doorway.  I may even just run the tubing through the basement wall so have it ready to do changes whenever.

 

Most of the time is just waiting, and there is very little cleanup.

 

I am sure there are easier methods (like hard plumbing the fill lines, tapping off of the closed loop for drain lines, connecting the waste and fill water, etc.) but I think this method is accessible to anyone who has enough storage available for the waste and fill water resevoirs.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

HTH,

 

Jamie

[Gatortailale]

How do you clean detritus from sump area?

 

I use python hooked to sink to suck out detritus and old water; then pump in new from ro/di saltwater container via hose as you described.

 

Will have to look at making ball valve method, like the idea.

[Guest mikesroth]

Do you any kind of trashcan? I thought I read on RC that there could be problem with certain types because chemicals are put in some can's to prevent mold and other such stuff from growing.  They thought 'Food Grade' containers would be ok though.  I was thinking of going over to that Sysco store, and see if they sold those types of containers there (restruants use them to keep things like sugar in them).  But if you don't think that is needed.....

 

Are you by chance on the Tank Tour? I'd love to see how you are doing this, I hate doing water changes on my 29... :P

[Guest Kimo]

Craig:  I don't usually.  Generally I have more abiotic calcium precipitation there than detritus, but I have to look into the Python.

 

Mike:  Nope I'm not on the tank tour.  Frankly, I'd be embarassed with my bare tank.  I am in Leesburg, VA.  If you ever want to stop by however, just let me know via PM.

 

I use the Rubbermaid Brute containers from home depot.  They are the big round grey ones.  I have heard that the square ones leak, so I use these.  They are food grade and won't leach chemicals into your water AFAIK.

 

Sometimes I wish I had a 29! :D

[Guest mikesroth]

Well, we are looking at a bigger tank, and I know how much I hate water changes.... (I hate them on the 10 too).  So any idea that makes my life easier, I am all for!!!!  I will have to take you up on that offer, and there is nothing wrong with a bare tank, atleast you dont have sand floating in yours. hehe :D

 

Craig: Doesn't the Python also put water back in the tank as it is sucking stuff out?  I have wanted to try it, since I dont like drinking saltwater , but I thought it replaced water as it was taking it out.

[Gatortailale]

Craig: Doesn't the Python also put water back in the tank as it is sucking stuff out?  I have wanted to try it, since I dont like drinking saltwater , but I thought it replaced water as it was taking it out.

Big NO - nothing goes back in UNLESS you switch control so that it is pumping water instead of sucking.  The faucet attachment creates a suctin via faucet water pressure - Thus no need to SUCk saltwater in mouth.  NEVER use to fill tank with tap water; major sin with saltwater systems imo.  

 

Bigalsonline.com

 

 

HTH

[GaryL]

i got lucky to do my water changes .. my sump is in my utility room and there is a drain like 2 feet away from my sump/fuge then 4 feet away i have a 50 gallon rubbermaid trash can that i mix salts in and use a mag7 to pump back over to sump.

i have a check valve plumbed into my return so i just turn the return pump off and wait till the overflows stop overflowing and note the water level. actualy i marked it with masking tape so i have a reference, (my memory is short) my sup is a 75 gallon so i drain the first 2 baffles then refill. guestimates around 25 gallons.

[ctreptow]

Yep I have to agree with all of ya. I have a small 30g and water changes where a real pain. Mix, Suck, syphon, fill. I used to get water all over the place and hated it. I can't imagine doing that in a 200g system.

 

I have since created a sumo room in the basement and tee'd from my return to the outside, now water changes are turn a ball valve and then pump back 5 minutes and I never touch the water.

 

Hey Kimo I'm in Lovettsville nice to see some one close by.

 

Chris

[Guest mikesroth]

Oh, in case anyone cares.  The Brute trash cans that Jamie is using are listed as "Food Grade" if they are Grey, White or Yellow.  I did some research on the internet, and checked out the bottom of the can that we bought this past weekend.

 

Just figured I'd reply in case anyone cared, apparently some trash cans have extra chemicals sprayed into them.

[Guest Kimo]

Thanks Mike!

 

J