Walk me through your water change.

[The_Nuge]

Im returning to the hobby after 12 or so years of no tanks a all. I have had a pond for 4 years but that is a whole different ball game. I would like to hear peoples water change routines start to finish so i can build a routine of my own.. using all of the best found techniques!

lets hear it? or if anybody has time a pictorial with explanation or a video!

be sure to list gallon amounts,products used and what amounts ect.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I drain water out to my yard using a long hose with a gravel vac in the tank. Then add prime and fill with a "python" style system straight from my sink. I use the aqueoun brand "water changer" though because IMO it is better built than the python. My old python hose actually became the hose I use to drain the tanks.

 

[gangster]

Drain the tank using a garden hose about 50-70%. While at the same time I have a rubbermaid tub in the shower filling up. Once done draining I hook the hose up to a pump and pump water back in. I do this twice a week. Big fish love water changes.

 

[The_Nuge]

twice a week 50 to 70% would be alot of water usage with large tanks..is that much water changing common?

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

depending on my nitrate level.

I always test them before water change and calculate the amount of water change needed to dilute it down to 20ppm.

If it is below, no wc required.

10-30g required
- Use eheim gravel cleaner, vac every inch of gravel, syphon out the required amount into a bucket, carry to the sink and replace. Add prime before pouring it back.

>30g required
- Just take out the python. Add prime while refilling

 

[frnchjeep]

twice a week 50 to 70% would be alot of water usage with large tanks..is that much water changing common?

Depends on stocking. I have some pacus that take the same size dump as a cat (the furry kind). You can imagine how that could foul the water. I do 50% once a week on a 600 gallon system. I am in the process of setting up an auto changer that will change 50 gallons a day.

 

[The_Nuge]

wow.. is this in a tank?

 

[busterbrown]

i do 60-80% water changes three times a weeks and my fish love it. Its only a 120 but i used to do the same thing when i had my 180 rolling. I use a garden hose and syphon the water into my yard and then start fillin the tank up with buckets. Discus love the big water changes and so do the clown loaches. i guess if your levels are good you dont have to do it as often but my fish like it so thats what they get

 

[Chefken]

In winter I am forced to drain the 150 gallon into my septic with a python. I do 40% on fridays and 20% on mondays...i am heavily stocked. (just upgraded my filtration big time and hope to cut out the smaller water change) In summer the water goes into the veggie garden. I re-fill using the python straight from my well. No chlorine so no chemicals added. My tank is deep so i use the 30" extension from the python to move the driftwood around.....my filters pull what I stir up out of the water column. The whole process takes about 45 minutes mostly draining.

 

[CLDarnell]

I drain water out to my yard using a long hose with a gravel vac in the tank. Then add prime and fill with a "python" style system straight from my sink. I use the aqueoun brand "water changer" though because IMO it is better built than the python. My old python hose actually became the hose I use to drain the tanks.

I hate to say "me too", but that's exactly how I do it, word for word. Including using an Aqueon water changer.

I typically do 30%-40%, simply by judging the water level and call it good. I went through a couple of Master Test Kits worth of testing before I got the confidence up to gauge everything by experience alone. I still test water once every few weeks or anytime something seems out of the ordinary.