Water changes. How to make a mess on the floor.

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dynomonkey

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I need details. I have a 24g nano and just completed another water change.
Removing the water, I used the tubes to siphon to the sink with no problems. As I went to replace the water, I noticed the temp on the jug was 10 degrees lower. Placed heater in jug, no problems. How do you guys get the water from the jug on the floor to the tank on the stand. How close does the temp need to be to the actual water temp? How much can the temp change in the tank? Pouring was a mess. Looking for info. TIA
 
@Muufer wrote:
I need details. I have a 24g nano and just completed another water change. Removing the water said:
Hi,
With a reef, stability is key even during water changes. You should try to match temp as close as possible within 2-3 degrees. You should also match salinity and PH as well. There are many way's to alleviate the headache and disruption of pouring such as a mini-jet pump to get the water back in the tank as these pumps are small enough to fit into a standard 5G jug. You could also add a sump/fuge to your setup which would give you an area to top-off and add/remove water for those dreaded water changes. HTH

Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
I use a bucket and use a pump to get the majority of the water into the tank. It's hair raising, involves a lot of effort and awareness of what's around you, but it works. Just use a pump and a hose, make sure the pump is off, attach hose to pump, put the other end of the hose in the tank and secure it somehow, plug in the pump.. wait for the water line to reach the top of the pump. Turn off the pump. Then I use a 1g jug to get the last ~3-5g out of the bucket and into the tank.

Securing the hose is very important. A loose hose sprays water EVERYWHERE when the pump is on and no matter how old/young you are, your reflexes aren't enough to save the carpet. Extra points for having it spray on the main surge protector/plugs for the tank. (Done that!)

For my 12g though I just use a 5g jug of water and pour it into the tank. The top of the tank isn't even as high as my hip though so its pretty easy.. :D

It's also a good idea to get into the practice of having all your new water ready 24hrs before with pH, salinity, temp matched and let a pump circulate the water during that time. Use of RO/DI water is super important too. Circulating the water ensures that all chemical reactions are complete and that everything is 100% dissolved.
 
Get a maxijet 1200 and pump it up there. No lifting!

If you need a more powerful pump a mag 5 or so can do the deed. but unless you have a big tank doing over 20G at a time should be no issue with one of these smaller guys.

And all the advice about mixing 24 hours before, matching temp within a couple degrees and pH, salinity, alk, calc, etc. is spot on.
 
Bought a pond pump from hd and it fits in my water jug on the floor. I think the rate is a little fast so i'm putting a kink in the hose. and securing the hose to the back of the tank. Thanks for the info.
 
To do water changes on my 55g I went to Lowes and bought a battery operated submersable pump. I initially bought it to empty water out of the pool when we take it down each season but it works out better for my Aquarium. Its small, round and has a handle on the top so you can hold it in your tank or in the water container. I use 5gal buckets when i get my water so these are perfect for putting the pump into. Works on batteries so no cords. It will empty a 5gal bucket in no time...

It's called the "attwood Water Buster" and it has to be one of the best investments I have made in a long time. Comes in real handy during water changes. It has metal screws on the bottom so I keep a close eye on those for signs of rust and we rinse it well in fresh water after each use (RO/DI of course). I believe I only payed about $30 for it but well worth it. No more spills, no more splashes, and i can switch it on and off to control the amount of water transferred.

Good Luck,
 
I use a maxi as well...
But, in the past, I just placed the 5g jug on a step stool - adjusted the temp, sal, etc there... and then placed a bucket in front of the stool and just poured (1/4 to 1/2 full)... it was a pain!!!!

I would definitely recommend investing in a cheap pump... remember to not let the water run directly on an corals of course... to help this, you can use a cup/container of some sort to deflect the flow...
 
How are you folks keeping your pumps primed? I have a mj900 hooked up externaly but it wont get the suction to clear the pump line of air. I was thinking about getting some sort of line valv that would go on the end of the hose. :)
 
i use gravity!

i use 5 gallon buckets. i put one on a stool and the other on the floor. insert airline tubing into each and into the tank and let them siphon water in and out simultaneously!
 
Muufer I was in the same boat as you. I bought my 29g BC so I wouldn't have to buy all the extra equipment those with bigger tanks need. What I did was buy a 1g Bucket and pour 1g at a time from my 5g bucket into the 1g bucket then fill the tank with that. It made it so much easier for me and I don't spill a drop!
 
Put you refill water in a 5 gallon bucket/empty salt bucket and use
a powerheaed to pump water into tank.
No lifting!
 
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