Q for those 500gl+ owners (H2o changes)

[West1]

I have a question re water changes for those that have a 500gl plus...

Do you guys use prime/dechlor in your water changes? Im trying to plan ahead so when I get my big tank I know what to look forward to.
Right now with my 300gl I do 50% water changes every 4-5 days and I go through Prime pretty fast.

If you have a 24water change system, im sure you still do weekly water changes (My Q is not directed towards the 24/water).

Thanks

 

[bigspizz]

You can still use prime pretty cheap. I buy the 16.9 oz bottle. 5ml treats 50 gallons, and 16.9 oz is 500ml. If you do 50% changes you only need 5 cap fulls. I use the exact amount called for precisely, because of the cost when I over use. If you did a 50% change weekly, and your stock does not call for more than that (when doing tests) the 16.9 oz bottle will last you 10 weeks. 1 bottle every 2.5 months is 15 bucks....

 

[West1]

You can still use prime pretty cheap. I buy the 16.9 oz bottle. 5ml treats 50 gallons, and 16.9 oz is 500ml. If you do 50% changes you only need 5 cap fulls. I use the exact amount called for precisely, because of the cost when I over use. If you did a 50% change weekly, and your stock does not call for more than that (when doing tests) the 16.9 oz bottle will last you 10 weeks. 1 bottle every 2.5 months is 15 bucks....

Right now im on track for almost 2 50% water changes plus a 50gl sump so im doing 7 caps (350glns worth). I plan to get something around
1k glns in the future so I know Im going to run through prime like crazy. So Im trying to find an alternate way to do big water changes (aside from 24hr set ups)

 

[bigspizz]

Right now im on track for almost 2 50% water changes plus a 50gl sump so im doing 7 caps (350glns worth). I plan to get something around
1k glns in the future so I know Im going to run through prime like crazy. So Im trying to find an alternate way to do big water changes (aside from 24hr set ups)

Do you have chlorimines? That is key; if not, and you only have chlorine, you can "age" as much water as you want. There is no cheap method to remove chlorimines...

 

[West1]

Do you have chlorimines? That is key; if not, and you only have chlorine, you can "age" as much water as you want. There is no cheap method to remove chlorimines...

Im just trying to see how the big boys play
Reality is if a tank that big fits me. Im trying to weigh things out? My only concern is the water changes. I dont want to hold 3-400gnls around the house so I know Im ganna add water straight into the tank (no holding any aside).

Sounds like adding chemicals to tap water is the only way to go

 

[Pharaoh]

regardless of whether or not you use a drip system, you could still by a chloramine filter. This would filter out both Chloramines and chlorine. One filter is good for up to 5000 gallon. The granulated activated catalytic carbon is about $10. Check this site out. Look at the filter all the way at the bottom.
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/chloramine_filters.htm

 

[West1]

regardless of whether or not you use a drip system, you could still by a chloramine filter. This would filter out both Chloramines and chlorine. One filter is good for up to 5000 gallon. The granulated activated catalytic carbon is about $10. Check this site out. Look at the filter all the way at the bottom.
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/chloramine_filters.htm

Just checked it out. Thanks

 

[carcrazy]

I use prime in powdered form. It comes in a 1 gallon pail and 1 teaspoon is good for about 100 gallons. It also costs about $100 but it should last me many years (I use about 300 gallons per week for water changes or 3 teaspoons/week).

 

[West1]

I use prime in powdered form. It comes in a 1 gallon pail and 1 teaspoon is good for about 100 gallons. It also costs about $100 but it should last me many years (I use about 300 gallons per week for water changes or 3 teaspoons/week).

NICE! Where do you get that at? LFS?
I never knew it came in powder. Im very interested in it. Can you possibly post a pic. My LFS has trouble understanding what he dont have, so I need to show him pics then he can give me results

 

[arkmann]

Wow... 50% water changes on a 300 gallon tank? Thats a lot of work but then again, this hobby entails a lot of work.

Let's see photos of that tank!