Aerial View Water Change

[Vancouver_98683]

How you know i still have a bag of barton left? Lol

Cuz you bought 3 and looks like only 2 in there from your pics. So, I did the math, lol

 

[jaws7777]

It really should be a very low concern. Now u gonna go 'read and analyze' krazy, lol. @othersfamiliarwiththis

At one point you thought fin level was krazy. Go figure

Good aerial footage! I agree on the large volume WC. I started doing 75% weekly WC several years ago and swear by it.
At one point there was a thread that showed the effectiveness of weekly large volume WC vs multiple smaller volume WC. The less frequent large volume was far more effective at reducing nitrates.

I do recall the thread. Something to do with how smaller water changes were diluting less nitrate ovier a period of time which caused nitrate creep

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Here's an aerial photo after this waterchange. Lovin it... Crystal clear! (stood high on chair)

 

[clm08k]

Thxs. Ya they are somewhat calm. Still get some splashes and wall banging here and there.

As for the dangers of anaerobic gases forming in the sand. Don't think it's of great concern unless it's extremely thick. I've had pfs b4 for years with no issues. This purple garnet is about 2.5" high. Don't forsee it becoming an issue either.

Once the polys get large enough. They'll create canals, craters, and bulldoze the top layer a bit. As for the nitrite spikes after churning the sand in your set up. I believe it may be a false reading if tested right after. Just wait for the debris to settle. You'll be fine without the 'churn'.

sweet. thanks for the information! I can't wait until I have poly tunnels hehe. It will be like an ant farm only with polys! (Only in my dreams).

Good aerial footage! I agree on the large volume WC. I started doing 75% weekly WC several years ago and swear by it.
At one point there was a thread that showed the effectiveness of weekly large volume WC vs multiple smaller volume WC. The less frequent large volume was far more effective at reducing nitrates.

that's interesting. I'm still trying to figure out how much/how often to water change my tanks. Do you do it based on nitrate level? (assuming tank is cycled and ammonia and nitrites are 0). I think I might have been keeping my tanks too clean, to the point where they weren't cycled. whoops.

 

[clm08k]

other thing, perhaps the weekly water change to fin level is better because you guys have big bioloads with lots of big fish, vs. me with a 2inch poly?

 

[Grinch]

other thing, perhaps the weekly water change to fin level is better because you guys have big bioloads with lots of big fish, vs. me with a 2inch poly?

Could be. We do carry a very big bio load in our tanks... might be over-kill in a tank with a lower mass per volume ratio.

Also worth pointing out... this is posted in the poly forum... but I'm doing this with cichlids and catfish too... no problems related to the big water change... just have to pre-mix the water.

 

[Burbotman]

Here's an aerial photo after this waterchange. Lovin it... Crystal clear! (stood high on chair)

View attachment 1241772

Looking crispy!

 

[jaws7777]

Here's an aerial photo after this waterchange. Lovin it... Crystal clear! (stood high on chair)

View attachment 1241772

Is that sp.vancouver in the upper left hand corner ? Huge


clm08k

I think cleaning the filter too often could potentially lead to issues but as long as the source tap water is clean i woukdnt be worried about providing them with too much fresh water

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Is that sp.vancouver in the upper left hand corner ? Huge


clm08k

I think cleaning the filter too often could potentially lead to issues but as long as the source tap water is clean i woukdnt be worried about providing them with too much fresh water

Yup. Sp. Vancouver is 20". Got it at 17" around 2 years ago.

clm08k large volume wc is definitely more effective on a high bioload setting. I've stopped using water conditioners 2 years ago. Just straight well water.

 

[pops]

weekly water changes 90% or fin level , deep sand can cause gas pockets that will poison your fish unless you keep it stirred up regularly, IE once a week at water change time. Oxygen does not get down very far in sand, so no good bacteria down there just bad bacteria that causes these gas pockets. shallower sand not an issue.