Water change "technique"

[Vincerama]

With my 37g Freshwater tank, I use a "python" which is basically a big vacuum cleaner (well, faucet powered syphon). And basically in my FW fish tank, I want to vacuum up all the "mulm" (sp?) from the bottom. Ie; fish poo.

 

So I use that to change the water for FW.

 

However, it seems to me (from reading stuff) that with a reef/saltwater tank, all the crap is at the SURFACE of the water. So rather than using a syphon, should I dunk a container in from the top so that surface water flows into it? (ie, dunk a clean juice jug from the top and let the surface water flow into it)?

 

Does that make sense? I will have a HOB filter (empty of media) and a HOB skimmer (hey, why not!) that would "break the surface" so maybe the surface crap would mix in and the crap would be more evenly distributed?

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

 

Vince

[jdsabin1]

You won't see the 'crap' at the surface like you seem to be anticipating (especially with a skimmer and HOB)). I use a standard, simpleton small siphon/tube that's sold for this purpose and basically get my water from the top third of the tank. I don't normally vacuum the substrate because that's where all my helpful critters live.

 

Straightforward really.

 

HTH!

[Vincerama]

Great! Thanks for the advice! I'll do the same then.

 

V