Total N00B w/ a silly idea

[gaspipe1]

I have ZERO experience w/ SW so take this insane idea w/ a grain of salt.

 

From what I have been reading, water changes (10-20%) weekly can really help a nano tank out. It's one of if not THE most important thing to do correctly. I was wondering has anyone ever tried using an ATO system into the tank, while a drip hose is removing water?

 

Let's say we have a 10 gal tank. And we're removing 2 gal (perhaps more if it's more beneficial and it's not disturbing the reef since it is so gradual) of the water from the tank by the end of the week.

 

So we have a 10 gal DT, with a 5 gal bucket w/ SW where the ATO is replenishing what the drip is removing. The Drip hose is removing the tank water into a 5 gal "waste" bucket.

 

The only issue I see right now is how to adjust for the evaporation. This system is constantly adding SW, and your levels would rise.

 

It's just an idea, and I know doing a WC once a week on a nano tank isn't exactly the worst choir in the world.

 

Thanks for reading, please don't bash too hard.

 

-Gaspare

[RayWhisperer]

The key to water changes seems to be volume.

 

You're not the first to think of this, and I can recall a few threads in the old days when folks tried it. It doesn't get you the same results as doing a few gallons at once will. While I'm sure your tank would find a "static nutrient load" with something like this. Wouldn't it just be easier, and cheaper, to just change 2 gallons once a week? The disturbance you create with a water change isn't going to harm anything.

Also, welcome to N-R

[gaspipe1]

Hey Ray thanks for replying back. I totally agree that replacing 1-2 gal in one shot is no big deal.

 

I was just curious if you could slowly replace 1 or 2 times the volume (10-20 gal in this case) very slowly during the week would be even better.

 

I also wondered if there was a greater benefit when replacing the 1-2 gal in the one shot.

 

Thanks again for the advice

[ReefWeeds]

Sk8n reefer had a great achedule on his 16 gallon nano - he would change out one gallon a day. Took 5 minutes and keep his tank in great shape.

Automating waterchanges sounds great in theory but too many things I think could go wrong before you notice in time to help. Salinity swings etc. water change time for me is a good time to take a close look at the tank, see if everything looks happy and test parameters as well. Automating things could make me lazy in that regard.

[Clown79]

^ very good point.

 

I do the same. When I do the waterchanges, I examine everything.

 

 

Automation sounds great but could lead to too many swings, its also not going to clean the glass, sand, rocks, equipment.