Changing Water W/ Prefilter/Overflow Box

[tb_077]

Hey Guys,

I've kept fish for many years, but am new to the wet/dry sump.

I just setup a Proclear 75, for additional bio-filtration, on my 180gal. My tank is not drilled, so I used the proclear prefilter/overflow box.

My questions are what are the best steps to take when doing a water change, which I normally do every other day.

Should I turn my pump(Mag 3) off and then immediately pull the siphon tube out to keep water from the tank from filling the sump?

Help me out guys. Step by step would be great.


Thanks,

 

[Wolf3101]

Water changes every other day?

I'm all for water quality but if your THAT overstocked you need a LOT more tank space.

 

[tb_077]

Water changes every other day?

I'm all for water quality but if your THAT overstocked you need a LOT more tank space.

Small water changes, as many as possible, help to keep water parameters stable and constant.


Back to the question at hand.

 

[tb_077]

Anybody???

 

[stingrayguy]

hey. What you do. Its just pull the plug for the pump. And leave it. then drain tank. fill and plug the pump back in. But when the pump shuts off. It will try to back siphon water into the sump. So remember you have alittle extra water in your sump. So NO need to pull the siphon. Just unplug and go about your water change

 

[tb_077]

hey. What you do. Its just pull the plug for the pump. And leave it. then drain tank. fill and plug the pump back in. But when the pump shuts off. It will try to back siphon water into the sump. So remember you have alittle extra water in your sump. So NO need to pull the siphon. Just unplug and go about your water change

But the volume in the sump will increase, so if you completely fill the tank, your water level in the tank will be to high. Will I need to turn the sump pump back on before the tank is completely full?

 

[tb_077]

ttt

 

[tapeworm]

I would invest in something like a ball valve. And shut the valve, and then turn off the pump so you don't lose the siphon, and then when you are done with the water change fill up with new water and then turn valve the siphon will continue and plug in the pump. ALthough you did mention you have an overflow I'm not sure if you have pvc coming down from the overflow into the sump, if you don't, look into some other sort of valve that you can put inline to stop the water from filling the sump and maintaining the siphon.


[ Ball Valve ]