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#1
08-27-2011, 06:10 PM
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How to do a reef tank water change
As an experienced freshwater keeper, I would simply clean the glass and then syphon out water and use a hose to fill it adding a few drops of water conditioner while I'm doing it. But, it seems to be the general rule that salt water systems(especially reef tanks) tend to be more finicky.
My thought is: Premix a pail of water that is conditioned and salted, then poor it in. Is this right?
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 75g Reef tank2 ocellaris clowns, 1 coral beauty, 1 orchid dottyback, 5 electric blue hermit crabs, 4 babolonian whelk snails candy coral,torch coral and button polyps rena filstar xp3, Red Sea Prizm skimmer 2 ho 54W t5 10000k,2 ho 54w 420/460((aquatic life)Jager 200W heater Last edited by tprowse0804; 08-27-2011 at 06:12 PM. 
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#2
08-27-2011, 06:23 PM
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I usually mix it a day ahead... test the salinity and add prime... that's about it! I am sure many people will have a bunch of different ways of doing it! depends on the size of water change. On my 90gl I do a 20% change out. so it's more then just a bucket!
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Flash - Free Agent Fb- edmonton fish coral and hardware buy and sell!
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#3
08-27-2011, 07:43 PM
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Your approach is correct. It really isn't that much different from fresh water. Remove old salt water add new salt water ( of the same salinity and temperature).
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#5
08-27-2011, 08:30 PM
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I would use RO/DI water but some people get away with tap water and prime (depending on your local water).
One thing I learnt fast is to forget about pouring water into a reef tank unless it's a small quantity. Even in my little tank, I do 5 gals at a time and it's to heavy and you have to pur too slowly to avoid stirring up all the sand. I siphon the water out and pump in the new water after it's circulated for at least a day in a bucket.
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-Mark 29 Gal Bowfront w/24" LED Lights. DIY HOB Sump (5.4 Gal) MP40. Orange Spotted Watchman Goby, 2 Clownfish and a few hermits.
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#8
08-28-2011, 12:56 AM
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Quote:
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Brad
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#9
08-28-2011, 01:10 AM
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I don't. I maybe do a refresh of about 20% every 6 months but that hardly counts as a water change.
When I do it I have two extra large rubbermaid containers, I fill one with DI water (don't have an RO unit but I do have a tester and the tap water here is like <100 TDS anyway) and mix the salt with a heater until it's tank temperature. I siphon a full amount's worth into the empty 2nd container and then use a small Quietone 1000 to pump the fresh mix into the tank. It's fast enough and can do a large volume without disturbing the animals or wrecking your back having to lift anything.
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#10
08-29-2011, 02:20 PM
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Thanks for all the feedback. Am I rushing this first water change? The tank has been setup for 3 weeks. My main reason for doing a waterchange is the diatoms on the sand and daily glass cleaning to control green algae.
Should I wait on the water change? Am I disrupting the natural cycling? Am I rushing this water change?
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75g Reef tank2 ocellaris clowns, 1 coral beauty, 1 orchid dottyback, 5 electric blue hermit crabs, 4 babolonian whelk snails candy coral,torch coral and button polyps rena filstar xp3, Red Sea Prizm skimmer 2 ho 54W t5 10000k,2 ho 54w 420/460((aquatic life)Jager 200W heater Last edited by tprowse0804; 08-29-2011 at 02:37 PM.
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