WATER CHANGE

[angel not fish]

When I do a water change, I open the reef ready and through away the water inside it, along with some of the water from the sump.

I do not use a siphon since I have a rock work, and everything would fall down if I do use it.

 

How do you guys complete a good water change to keep the tank clean? I'd appreciate some tips and suggestions.

 

Thanks!

[treesprite]

Do you still have the 75, or did you get a bigger tank at some pont?

 

My tank is a 75g with a 40g tank for a sump/fuge (about 5/8ths full). For about a 30g water change, I hook a maxijet 1200 to a  pipe/hose (a very long one), which pumps water out of my sump and around the corner into the kitchen sink. My new water mix I then pump into the sump, so there is no disturbance in the DT other than when the pump is turned back on.

 

For bigger water changes, I open the valve to a pipe which sprouts off from my return pump, so instead of going in the DT, the return pump water is diverted to the sink. This drops the water level in the tank. Of course the water level in the tank will drop and the new mix may have to be put directly in the DT, which disturbs the livestock..

[Jon Lazar]

angel, why would siphoning water out of the display tank cause your rockwork to fall down?

 

The only way I can see this happening is if you vacuumed up sand from underneath your rock.

 

Many people siphon water from their display tanks during water changes.  I usually vacuum up any algae during my water change too.

[angel not fish]

Forest, my tank is 72 and I can not upgrade because my floor is not strong enough. Thanks for the long hose tip. So you do not "clean" your tank, just change water.

Jon, my rocks are one holding another with lots of open spaces (not glue or some holes with a stick to stick all together).  

[s2nhle]

I just pumped the water out from the sump and fresh salt water back to the sump.

[Jason Rhoads]

You can always use a MJ or similar small pump to "kick up" all the detritus before you siphon. I usually do that which means all the water I siphon out has at least some detritus in it.