Water change on large tanks

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
A

Aparker2005

Exodon
MFK Member
Oct 21, 2015
164
24
23
39
Hey guys. We're upgrading to a 125 discus tank soon. All I've ever had are 55 and smaller. On my discus now I change about 80% of their water every other day or daily if needed.

Once we get the big tank, how much do you recommend changing in such a large tank? I'm sure the water bill will be going up. I'll probably not have a sump on this tank and will have 2 hobs and eventually 2 canisters. Thanks!
 
Python water changer. Screw onto faucet, stick other end in tank, turn faucet on for a minute until tank water is drawn into the hose and fills it, turn faucet off, leave alone. Once the tank is drained as much as you want, add 125g worth of water conditioner, flick the switch on the faucet end of the water changer, and keep an eye on things until the tank is full. Do NOT ignore it at this point or the tank will eventually overflow and make a big mess. No buckets, no mess (unless you ignore the filling tank), very little labor.
 
If you do not have a API Master fresh water test kit,get one. your nitrates are going to dictate what your water change schedule should be for the stock you have.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HumanBean and convict360
Oh yeah I have a python (thank God). Was just mainly wondering about the volume to take out and replace. Thanks!
 
I plan on putting the 55 water into the 125 once we get it plus the filters we have on now to help jump start the cycle.
 
Like pops said you really should figure out how much waste is being produced (by testing the water) that will dictate if your taking enough water out
 
Aparker2005 said:
I plan on putting the 55 water into the 125 once we get it plus the filters we have on now to help jump start the cycle.
Click to expand...
Use some filter media from the 55 to jump start the cycle rather than the water which contains more nitrates and waste rather than beneficial bacteria.
 
Yeah the hobs on the 55 will be moved to the 125. I'll do some testing to see how much I'll be needing to change. Thanks!
 
There's very little useful bacteria in tank water, don't bother moving it around unless there are a lot of tannins or such in it that you want to add to the new tank.
If you move the filters over without drying them out at all, very little to no cycling will be required. There's a good bit of bacteria on the decor, substrate, and tank walls, but most of it is probably in your filter media.
 
If your doing that big of a water change that frequently maybe you should consider a continuous drip setup
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom