How Do You Change Tank Water?

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Sarcosuchus

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 28, 2006
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Well my question is for those who have huge tanks, or at least enough to consider big. Do you change 100% of the water when you do your water changing or just half? Or both within certain period of time?

By 100% water changing, you mean having all your fish taken out, including gravels, plants ( life / fake ), bogwoods etc to be clean completely? I am just wondering what a pain in the ass it can be doing 100% water changing everytime you change. Even half water changing doesn't get the stools etc going from the gravels.

Of course, we do it for the love of our fish.:headbang2
 
I can't recall seeing anyone posting of doing 100% water changes.

I do water changes, depending on the tank, of between 40% and 60%. And any water change will remove all, or the majority of the "stools" (detritus) provided the water change is combined with a good gravel vacuuming.
 
Thank you for your reply, then I see I have a lot to learn. Can you tell me how you do your water changing? And the things you have that help you to maintain water quality?
 
Not sure how much my methods may help you. I use sump pumps, 2" hoses, and over-sized gravel washers on my larger floor-sitting tanks like the 650.
For my smaller tanks, I use a regular python gravel washer (GW) hooked up to a garden hose. I start a siphon and sweep the GW, at about a 30 degree angle, through the substrate (moving plastic plants, driftwood, and rocks). If the gravel binds in the GW, I just lift the GW away from the substrate until the weight of the gravel causes it to fall back into the tank. Sometimes, the GW needs a slight tap to help the gravel in falling back out.
Once the gravel is clean and enough water is out, I refill my tanks from large water storage tanks. My storage tanks are self-refilling and plumbed on a whole-house 3-stage filtration system. The storage tanks trickle fill and are heated via the ambient heat of the hatchery (I heat the hatchery and not the tanks).
 
How big of a tank are you talking about Sarcosuchus?

Though it's not really considered "big" I'll tell you how I clean my 55.
I have it in a corner next to a window. This makes it a lot easier for me to drain. I don't have the Python vacuum, but I do use a regular cheapo siphon vac. I have a small slit cut into the window screen that the siphon hose can fit through. As Oddball said I also vacuum my gravel while draining the tank. I usually do weekly 30% changes. To fill it back up I use a 5 gallon bucket. This works easier for me because I can add any additives/conditioners right to the bucket and premix it with 5 gallons of water. I don't know if this helps the fish any or not, but it eases my mind. If I don't clean the gravel while doing a wc then I'll fill the bucket and get it ready while the tank is draining. This helps save me a few minutes.;)
 
some dude on here had a tank on his porch outside with no filter or anything and he had to do like 100 % water changes like 3 times a week or sumthin... it had aro's in it... pain in the arse if u ask me..
 
Oddball;679734; said:
Not sure how much my methods may help you. I use sump pumps, 2" hoses, and over-sized gravel washers on my larger floor-sitting tanks like the 650.
).
Click to expand...

Dam you!! And I thought I was cool with my 1" pvc hose creating a huge Python vac with a 2 liter pop bottle.. But you are using freakin pumps !! :D :D

Now I just started using my 950 gph as soon as I wake up tomorrow to see how that works :D I just don't stop learning here!!! :D Thanks Oddball! :)
 
AquataHolic420;679749; said:
some dude on here had a tank on his porch outside with no filter or anything and he had to do like 100 % water changes like 3 times a week or sumthin... it had aro's in it... pain in the arse if u ask me..
Click to expand...

haha nice memory, are you talking about steve89.....

Pretty sure its a 600g above ground pond with no filtration and he changes the water once a week via a tap drilled into the base. He says its pretty easy and it has worked well for the past year? or so.

He might see this and give you more details.



On my 175g, I gravel vac and water change at the same time 25-30% per week, to re fill i chuck the hose in and turn it on... while adding the nessesary chemicals.

I need to buy some hosing and use the FX5 to do water changes, it would be 10x faster.
 
i have two large tanks...... I run new treated water into them 24/7 ....the excess runs down the sewer drain from the tank's overflow......

I adjust the flow rate to keep the nitrate level from climbing

I make up the new water with seachem prime thru an automatic mixer that is water powered

hope this helps...............:nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly:


Sarcosuchus;679708; said:
Well my question is for those who have huge tanks, or at least enough to consider big. Do you change 100% of the water when you do your water changing or just half? Or both within certain period of time?

By 100% water changing, you mean having all your fish taken out, including gravels, plants ( life / fake ), bogwoods etc to be clean completely? I am just wondering what a pain in the ass it can be doing 100% water changing everytime you change. Even half water changing doesn't get the stools etc going from the gravels.

Of course, we do it for the love of our fish.:headbang2
Click to expand...
 
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