Large Tanks and Water Changes

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
K

kulvero

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 4, 2011
19
0
0
United States
I'm amazed by the number of people in these forums that claim to have multiple aquariums in excess of 100 gallons. I've been on/off in the hobby for over 20 years and the most tanks I've ever had running at the same time was a 120, 50 and 30. Maintaining the tanks properly and keeping up on weekly water changes (10%-20% each) took a lot of effort and consumed a lot of water.

So here's my question...

If you own multiple tanks (especially if they're 100 gallons or higher) what is your maintenance cycle and how do cope with the enormous volume of water needed for water changes?
 
My 750g is on an auto waterchanger that does 70g a night 6 days a week and an addtional 70g every other morning resulting in aprox 630g per week. I don't lift a finger. My 210 I do 20-30% a week, I drain into my sump pump pit which is 5 feet from the tank and I have a wash room with slop sink 15 feet away so hose runs across the room. Takes me 20 minutes to do that. I made my maintenence very simple
Oh and I have a well so I don't pay for water so that is a bonus. Otherwise I would be collecting rainwater in order to keep my big tanks
 
I use a 75G aquarium for a holding tank. I installed a hot/cold water connection next to the holding tank for quick & easy fill up.

I have a submersible pump in the holding tank (for filling) and an external pump to speed up the draining time. The water drains into a small creek in my back yard. My outdoor fish (in the creek) are happy for the used water especially during a summer drought.

My WC days are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I use 75G of water each time. To utilize the time more efficiently, I have exercise equipment in the fish room, and I work out during the drain/fill cycles.

Timing is everything when it comes to getting in trouble with the wife for my expensive hobbies. When I set up the big tanks we also got a new front-load washing machine. The front loader uses about 40G less water per load than our old top loader. With two kids, we do lots of laundry. So the net water usage (and associated water bill) is actually less. So far my wife has not made the connection of the water efficient washing machine offsetting the fish tank water changes.

BTW - Thursday is my favorite day of the week; I get to be a couch potato and not feel guilty about it...lol.
 
ive got alot of tanks running right now including 8x125s 1x180 long a 240 plywood and a 300 gallon tub as well as a 150 rubbermaid it takes me about 2hrs a day 5 days a week for water changes and routine maintenance
 
My water is a base rate of I think $26 for the first 1500 gallons then an extra $3 for each additional 1500 gallons. Not really that expensive if you ask me. I think about electric more so then water.
 
10-20% seems really inadequate, but if it works with your stock...

I change at least 50% each time in four tanks totaling [a modest for around here] about 400 gallons. It's really not all that hard if you can figure out a way to make gravity work for you. Two of my tanks are upstairs and I have enough python tubing to connect them together and drain to the utility room downstairs. Even through 1/2" tubing that goes quickly. The downstairs tanks drain less downhill, but into the shower, so it's still fast. I am also lucky that I can fill from two faucets at once. Really, all that's required is paying enough attention so that at the end of the fill I don't overflow the tank (again). I usually just set it up to drain or fill and then go do something else.

Still, I'm slowly working towards automating the two largest tanks... not because maintenance is hard, but because it'll just be that much better for the fish.
 
i change at least 50 percent of all my tanks once a week.i do not pay a water bill:}.I work on my tanks 5 days a week but i love it.
 
Sorry i hate to get off the subject, I was checking out this thread because I want big tanks in the future. Ive got two questions first of all I read that someone uses rainwater, would that be dangerous to your fish in the city..... and second of all PRSkiller, I love your avatar, is that a warmouth in the picture?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom