Because I try to maintain a nitrate concentration of no more than 5 ppm, it is necessary to do a lot of water changes.
So my routine is 30% to 40% of the entire 300 gal systems volume, every other day. (180 gal tank, with 125 gal sump)
For me, having a sump makes this simple, and fast, with very little effort.
I normally run my sump almost full, and in the pic below is one of the entry points from the main tank to the sump.
To start a water change, I friction fit some PVC on that influent line, so instead of water going to the sump, it goes to the garden.
And if I want to send water to go to other areas of the garden, turn the tee sideways, and add another length of PVC pointed in that direction.
In this way, approx. 80 to 100 gallons of old water is drained out of the sump, in a matter of minutes, taking water level down to almost pump intake level.
The PVC is then pulled off the sump inflow and allows water to again flow back into the sump, and the green garden hose, adds back new water to replace the @ 80-100 gallons that has been drained.
When I lived in the U.S. I used the same technique, only had to use much more PVC to get from in the house to the garden, and had to disassemble it in winter.
now I just leave the PVC needed, behind the tank.
So my routine is 30% to 40% of the entire 300 gal systems volume, every other day. (180 gal tank, with 125 gal sump)
For me, having a sump makes this simple, and fast, with very little effort.
I normally run my sump almost full, and in the pic below is one of the entry points from the main tank to the sump.
To start a water change, I friction fit some PVC on that influent line, so instead of water going to the sump, it goes to the garden.
And if I want to send water to go to other areas of the garden, turn the tee sideways, and add another length of PVC pointed in that direction.
In this way, approx. 80 to 100 gallons of old water is drained out of the sump, in a matter of minutes, taking water level down to almost pump intake level.
The PVC is then pulled off the sump inflow and allows water to again flow back into the sump, and the green garden hose, adds back new water to replace the @ 80-100 gallons that has been drained.
When I lived in the U.S. I used the same technique, only had to use much more PVC to get from in the house to the garden, and had to disassemble it in winter.
now I just leave the PVC needed, behind the tank.
