How do you guys actually do water changes exactly?

[Hendre]

We have been seriously considering drip systems for the big tanks but we havent done it yet, at the moment we drain and refil with a hose pipe straight into tank with water at right temperature

We want to do it but still feel uneasy...
If I understand correctly, you not running the drip system constantly?

You say you are on well water, we are also on well water..we call it.. borehole water...
What are the chances of changes in composition in well water over time in terms of metals etc... should i not worry about this?

I think it's more what's in the water, it can contain sulfur, ammonia etc so maybe you should have it tested before thinking about that

 

[MariaS]

I think it's more what's in the water, it can contain sulfur, ammonia etc so maybe you should have it tested before thinking about that

Yes... I realize that... At the moment i still add Prime
My question and I think my fear is... Can the composition of the water change due to uncontrolable circumstances after you have tested

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

I do 50-60% wc weekly and I just get a siphon and connected a long enough tube that reaches my lawn through the window. And connect that same tube to my sink in restroom and add water directly to tank then add my prime. Definitely easier than buckets. Never will do the bucket method again lol

 

[flukekiller]

Yes... I realize that... At the moment i still add Prime
My question and I think my fear is... Can the composition of the water change due to uncontrolable circumstances after you have tested

to be honest im not sure .

 

[Hendre]

Yes... I realize that... At the moment i still add Prime
My question and I think my fear is... Can the composition of the water change due to uncontrolable circumstances after you have tested

Not rapidly afaik. It's probably very stable

 

[Bigfishnut]

Yes... I realize that... At the moment i still add Prime
My question and I think my fear is... Can the composition of the water change due to uncontrolable circumstances after you have tested

The best thing to do is run your drip off a home filtration system...a good three stage with a sediment filter and carbon filters. This will help with stability as well as removing anything harmful. My home filtration system actually knocks my pH down a bit from 7.8 out of the tap unfiltered down to 7.4 after the filter. Seems to keep it real stable.

 

[rudy]

This is what always made me hesitant to do a drip. All that cold water must send heaters into overdrive, especially in the winter my cold water becomes ice cold. When I do my drip I will do hot/cold.

My heaters hardly turn on. I drip 3-5 gph on my 600gallon system and drip it hot and cold mixed. Remember you are dripping very small amounts into your tank (mine is even overkill) Your heaters will not have issues.

 

[Bigfishnut]

My heaters hardly turn on. I drip 3-5 gph on my 600gallon system and drip it hot and cold mixed. Remember you are dripping very small amounts into your tank (mine is even overkill) Your heaters will not have issues.

That's exactly why I only use cold water. At 3 gallons or so an hour going into such a large water volume, it doesn't have a measurable effect on the temps. Doesn't seem worth the cost of heating the water in my HW tank and then heating it again in the sump. Just drip cold water and your only heating it once.

 

[MariaS]

The best thing to do is run your drip off a home filtration system...a good three stage with a sediment filter and carbon filters. This will help with stability as well as removing anything harmful. My home filtration system actually knocks my pH down a bit from 7.8 out of the tap unfiltered down to 7.4 after the filter. Seems to keep it real stable.

Thanks... that will save a lot of hassle ageing water in containers
Will see what we have available.

 

[CANAMONSTER]

My heaters hardly turn on. I drip 3-5 gph on my 600gallon system and drip it hot and cold mixed. Remember you are dripping very small amounts into your tank (mine is even overkill) Your heaters will not have issues.

So hot cold you drip?