Water Change Routine

bisbrandt · 02-20-2008, 06:00 PM

I thought it might be interesting to find out what everyone's routines were when it comes to water changes. For my own purposes, maybe I can learn a better/faster way of doing things!

Here goes...

Both my 29g and 55g are scheduled for water changes every 4-days. Each time, I tackle half of the tank (for instance, today was "left sides").

Call me anal, but I rarely stray from this routine:
1 - remove hood, clean and set to dry
2 - move/remove ALL decorations from the side I'm working on
3 - scrub glass
4 - vacuum all substrate, slowly, removing as much water into "vacuum" bucket as is necessary to do the job (usually 5g for 29, 8-9g for 55)
5 - rinse the filter media in the "vacuum" bucket ("right side" days)
6 - rinse all decorations in the "vacuum" bucket (once a month)
7 - replace decorations
8 - pump cured water from reserve container into "fill" bucket
9 - pump water from "fill" bucket into tank
10 - replace hood
11 - Apply corresponding amount of Stress Coat
12 - fill reserve container to cure water over the next 4-days, add salt and conditioner
13 - clean up the mess I've made

All told, I'd guess that each tank takes me about 1/2 hour. Then the fun begins - sit and enjoy my crystal-clear, clean water and happy fish.

tropical1 · 02-20-2008, 06:07 PM

so you actually reuce the water you pumoed out while vacuuming? or do you use new water? confused. and why do you add salt to your fresh water tank, i thought you only do that when you are treating for ich.

bisbrandt · 02-20-2008, 06:19 PM

You're right, tropical1, it probably did sound a bit confusing. I edited the post, but no, I definitely don't re-use the water.

tank --> "vacuum" bucket --> down the drain
and
reserve --> "fill" bucket --> tank

As far as salt goes, I've come to understand that it's not uncommon to keep low levels of salt in a freshwater tank. I've been doing this since day one. I only replace the amount of salt that corresponds to the water I vacuumed. I can't tell you the whys around this, but I'm sure someone much smarter on the subject can address that.

jwurm · 02-20-2008, 08:06 PM

Here's my routine so far (Note: I'm not stirring gravel right now because my cycle is re-establishing):

1) Turn off heater, filter, airstone (last mostly because i just flip the switch for the whole strip)
2) Turn hood on side to allow access to tank
3) Depending on my NO2 levels (I'm cycling!) siphon 1-5g into
waste bucket
4) Dump waste bucket (or keep to water my plants if it is about that time)
5) Get tap running at right temp (hand test)
6) Fill bucket with water, conditioner, and appropriate amt of salt for water displaced.
7) Place fill bucket on table higher than tank level.
8) Start slow siphon of water back into tank.
9) Refill bucket as necessary during siphon.
10) Turn on electronics and clean up any spills.

RustyNut · 02-21-2008, 02:19 AM

I have a well with perfect water for my fish, so my routine is fairly simple. I shut down everything electrical in the tank except the lights.

1.I pump the water out of the tank using a Rio 1500 pump connected to my Python (So I waste no fresh water for draining)
2.I set a kitchen timer.... Ding!
3.I switch from pumping water to refilling with tap water checking the temperature closely.
4. Stir sand.
5.I set a timer..... Ding!
Move to next tank. Rinse. Repeat.

SumpNFishy · 02-21-2008, 07:36 AM

I have a drain and RO tap next to each of my tanks which makes it fairly simple to do a water change now.

But I'm still thinking of automating it with a electric pump (to drain water) and an auto fill valve for the RO. Make it so it changes a small percentage every day.

Of course one would still need to vacuum and do filter changes from time to time.

Anyone tried this before?