StevieT Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 (edited) exactly, stiring up all the junk in the tank is not a bad thing at all! I will run floss directly after doing a change and it collects all the junk. The water just looks amazing the following day after a WC Oh, don't suck so hard next time ; all you need to do is get it going, the rest will come on it's own, i have never gotten any in my mouth. I like the mechanized way of how you do it Good move, I was unsure if it should be in the beginners or general Edited April 23, 2008 by StevieT Quote Link to comment
airangel Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Great guide StevieT....may I also suggest a mention on how to use powerhead/tubing to get the water from your bucket up into the tank. Noob here couldn't hoist the 5g bucket 5 ft over into my tank and was bailing it in using smaller buckets till got the info on using powerhead and tubing to get the new water back into the tank. I have my tubing going into the back chamber (I've got an AP) so it won't disturb the sandbed & corals. Just a thought for those who like me, had no clue one could use a powerhead to send the new salt water back in. Ellen Quote Link to comment
reefone Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 (edited) nice thread stevie! now i know how to do a waterchange edit: u guys suck on the tube to start the syphen? ewwwww i just fill my hose with tapwater about half full them one end into the tank and let the other end drop into the bucket. no sucking envolved. Edited April 23, 2008 by reefone Quote Link to comment
RayWhisperer Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I have little white bugs on my glass. Is that bad? Quote Link to comment
BKtomodachi Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I have little white bugs on my glass. Is that bad? yes kill them all they eat your corlz Quote Link to comment
reefone Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I have little white bugs on my glass. Is that bad? bleach will take care of them real quick Quote Link to comment
RayWhisperer Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 bleach will take care of them real quick Oh, OK, thanks. I'm pouring some in now.... When do I stop? Quote Link to comment
reefone Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Oh, OK, thanks. I'm pouring some in now.... When do I stop? when u see the bottles empty or the bugs start to die. whichever comes first. Quote Link to comment
RayWhisperer Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 So the fish look like they are all sleeping... Is that normal? Sorry StevieT, I had to. I just couldn't help myself. Quote Link to comment
reefone Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 So the fish look like they are all sleeping... Is that normal? Sorry StevieT, I had to. I just couldn't help myself. yes because they r dead. but look on the bright side no more water changes im sorry also stevie but ray started it EVERYONE THAT IS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING BLEACH IN UR TANK. THIS IS JUST A JOKE. DO NOT PUT BLEACH IN UR TANK UNLESS U WANT EVERYTHING DEAD. Quote Link to comment
reefdan Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 does anyone aerate their water before changing? i don't but i know many others do for 24 hours or so. also, i microwave some freshwater when it's cold and add it to the rest in order to increase temperature. you can also do it stovetop (probably faster) but make sure there's no oil or that the pot isn't made of copper. also, can we emphasize the importance of refractometers for noobs? i used a swing arm for the longest and it was completely worthless. Quote Link to comment
hazmat Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Good job StevieT!! This is why you're my mentor! Quote Link to comment
pattykat99 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 nice thread stevie! now i know how to do a waterchange edit: u guys suck on the tube to start the syphen? ewwwww i just fill my hose with tapwater about half full them one end into the tank and let the other end drop into the bucket. no sucking envolved. That's exactly what i do too ! i dont suck! haha! Quote Link to comment
CarterNichols Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 StevieT i would have left this hobby a long time ago if it wasn't for you. +1 reefer of the year (new thing, go with it) Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 I have little white bugs on my glass. Is that bad? you guys are too funny!!!! You can eat the bugs, or put in a shark, that should take care of them. To the rest... there are a lot of different ways of doing a water change, this is a general guide of how I do them. You can hook up a powerhead to pump the water back in if you can not lift a few gallons of water, or go to the gym and work on building up those arms! The pump I use was from a skimmer, so often before I start the change I will open up the air valve and let it do it's magic getting good gas exchange into the water. Not super necessary but helpful if you have something available. Fish do not sleep dummy, they drink too may red bulls. Quote Link to comment
RayWhisperer Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Fish do not sleep dummy, they drink too may red bulls. I feel so stupid and humiliated. Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 I feel so stupid and humiliated. my work here is done Quote Link to comment
jiriki76 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Not sure how you guys feel about this but I do this for my pico... I take the tube from my ATO jug and stick in the bucket of fresh salt water to refill my tank. Takes a while but in case their are any difference between the existing water and new water, it's not introduced too quickly... and mostly.. I'm lazy. Quote Link to comment
airangel Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 To the rest... there are a lot of different ways of doing a water change, this is a general guide of how I do them. You can hook up a powerhead to pump the water back in if you can not lift a few gallons of water, or go to the gym and work on building up those arms! Not lack of muscles but not everyone's tank is low enough to easily pour water into, lol. Let alone the fact that you'd have a huge sandstorm if one poured the contents of said 5g bucket into the tank at one go, its not like you can lean it on the rim, lol. . Just had meant that not everyone does 1 to 2 gallon water changes to their tanks. For sure the powerhead method is the fastest and cleanest way to go about it. I sure can't heft about 40+ pounds of water in a home depot bucket up and over into my tan, standing over 4 ft tall. But yes there are a few ways to go about it, not all of us reefers are body builders. Love the thread & hope it attains "stickihood" Quote Link to comment
RayWhisperer Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 hope it attains "stickihood" It already has. Quote Link to comment
jimbo327 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 (edited) I aerate my saltwater as well. Usually, I let it sit for 24 hrs to let the saltwater stabilize. I'm in the process of just flipping a switch to change water, and then in about 2 weeks, I'm going to add a timer to flip the switch for me. Edited April 24, 2008 by jimbo327 Quote Link to comment
blitzy Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I would just like to say a massive thankyou to stevie t as a complete newbie (have the water cycling as we speak and just researching) it is wonderful to have this kind of info on hand cheers. And thanks nanoreef.com 1 Quote Link to comment
toiletkavorka Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Great post + 1 for the sticky idea. Cheers Quote Link to comment
Reefer-tron Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 In addition to unplugging my pumps I have found it is also helpful to unplug my heater when I do my WC in my NC6 otherwise I start a really nice steam effect. I suppose in larger tanks this isn't a problem as you have enough water to that your levels don't lower that much. Just be sure not to boil your tank / crack your heater. Quote Link to comment
hollow Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I wipe down the outside of the tank and stand with Windex for a nice sparkle shine! I have a question about this. I have been told by multiple people that you shouldn't ever use windex glass cleaner even on the exterior of an aquarium because the ammonia it contains will eventually leak through the glass and contaminate your water and kill your livestock. Is this remotely true? I've always taken this with a gram of salt because some people say you shouldn't use windex on computer monitors or cds because its a harsh abrasive but I've used it for years and years on both for cleaning purposes and never had a single problem. I do keep the windex away from my 58" panasonic plasma though Quote Link to comment
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