Water Changes

[Peter Pan]

I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When I
do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out water.I
then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove approximately 15
gals or so of water.
I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I do
know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no change
from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing away good
water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank generates.

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it the
right way?

Thanks

[stoutman]

Need a bunch more info.

How long has the tank been running?

What are your ammonia levels?

How often do you do a water change?

If you have high ammonia levels I do not think water changes is your answer.
You are only going to temporarily mask a problem. Are you over feeding?

I have gone SEVERAL months with out a single water change in my 75 and my
ammonia levels do NOT fluctuate.





"Peter Pan" > wrote in message
...
> I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
> advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When I
> do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out
> water.I then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove
> approximately 15 gals or so of water.
> I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I
> do know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no
> change from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing away
> good water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank generates.
>
> Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it
> the right way?
>
> Thanks
>

[stoutman]

ok I lied a little. I have gone 1-year with out a water change and my
ammonia levels are very LOW.



"stoutman" > wrote in message
m...
> Need a bunch more info.
>
> How long has the tank been running?
>
> What are your ammonia levels?
>
> How often do you do a water change?
>
> If you have high ammonia levels I do not think water changes is your
> answer. You are only going to temporarily mask a problem. Are you over
> feeding?
>
> I have gone SEVERAL months with out a single water change in my 75 and my
> ammonia levels do NOT fluctuate.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Peter Pan" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
>> advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When
>> I do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out
>> water.I then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove
>> approximately 15 gals or so of water.
>> I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I
>> do know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no
>> change from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing
>> away good water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank
>> generates.
>>
>> Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it
>> the right way?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
>

[CapFusion]

"Peter Pan" > wrote in message
...
> I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
> advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When I
> do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out
> water.I then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove
> approximately 15 gals or so of water.
> I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I
> do know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no
> change from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing away
> good water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank generates.
>
> Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it
> the right way?
>
> Thanks
>

Sound fine to me.
When you siphon out from your DSB, you are also siphon bacteria and some
critter. That can not be help [so-of speaking]. After siphon and the water
parameter does not fluctuate, I would say or guess - ok.
I normally do water changes or add water from the sump. The only time I
would disturb the DSB with the siphon are when to release those trapped
gases. Once in awhile to disturb [couple of spot] the DSB would be good. You
should always check for any parameter changes.

CapFusion,...

[CapFusion]

"stoutman" > wrote in message
m...
> ok I lied a little. I have gone 1-year with out a water change and my
> ammonia levels are very LOW.
>
>
Hummm..... gone for a year without water changes? Just curious, when do you
do water changes or do you do water changes only if need to? I do water
changes eventhough all reading are in within parameter. The only reason I
would do water changes are to replenish elements.

CapFusion,...

[stoutman]

What elements do you need to replenish? Can't you add them without water
changes? I know that water changing is wide spread in this hobby, but IMHO
it does not need to be done as often as people do Give your natural
biofilters a chance to grow and thrive. Water changes deprive the bacteria
in your biofilter the nutrients that they need to grow.

I dont have coral only fish and live rock. My water parameters (nitrite,
nitrate, ammonia) are all in spec. My pH is kept in spec by dosing Kalk
with top off H2O.

My fish appear healthy along with my anenome and star fish.


"CapFusion" > wrote in message
...
>
> "stoutman" > wrote in message
> m...
>> ok I lied a little. I have gone 1-year with out a water change and my
>> ammonia levels are very LOW.
>>
>>
> Hummm..... gone for a year without water changes? Just curious, when do
> you do water changes or do you do water changes only if need to? I do
> water changes eventhough all reading are in within parameter. The only
> reason I would do water changes are to replenish elements.
>
> CapFusion,...
>

[kryppy]

On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 19:08:58 -0500, "Peter Pan" >
wrote:

>I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
>advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When I
>do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out water.I
>then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove approximately 15
>gals or so of water.
>I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I do
>know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no change
>from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing away good
>water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank generates.
>
>Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it the
>right way?


Don't disturb the sand bed, and I think you need more live rock if you
have any measurable ammonia. You could add mangroves and cheeto in a
sump if you don't want more rock.

[Peter Pan]

"stoutman" > wrote in message
m...
> Need a bunch more info.
>
> How long has the tank been running?
>
> What are your ammonia levels?
>
> How often do you do a water change?
>
> If you have high ammonia levels I do not think water changes is your
> answer. You are only going to temporarily mask a problem. Are you over
> feeding?
>
> I have gone SEVERAL months with out a single water change in my 75 and my
> ammonia levels do NOT fluctuate.

I have a 75 gal tank with 75 lbs of LR ( I recently added 25lbs) The tank
is up for approximately 2 years. I have a emperor filter that's been
running since I set the tank up and I just started running a Fluval Canister
filter, its been running for 2 months. (I'm transitioning from one to the
next) I also have Red Sea's Prizm Protein Skimmer. I don't have a lot of
fish (4 total) and a few blue claw hermits. My ammonia never gets below .50
PPM. I'm feeding them on 3 times a week (MWF) Water changes are roughly
every 4 weeks
>
>
>
>
>
> "Peter Pan" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
>> advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When
>> I do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out
>> water.I then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove
>> approximately 15 gals or so of water.
>> I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I
>> do know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no
>> change from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing
>> away good water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank
>> generates.
>>
>> Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it
>> the right way?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
>

[stoutman]

Geesh, not sure why your ammonia is so high. You recently added the fluval
canister so new bacteria colonies are growing in the canister. Maybe that
has disrupted your equilibrium and your tank is cycling again? Not sure. I
still dont think water changes are your answer. You need to find the source
of the problem. What were your ammonia levels before you added the canister
filter?

If I were you I would continue to feed 3-days a week, but maybe cut back on
the amounts and keep checking your ammonia levels.



"Peter Pan" > wrote in message
...
>
> "stoutman" > wrote in message
> m...
>> Need a bunch more info.
>>
>> How long has the tank been running?
>>
>> What are your ammonia levels?
>>
>> How often do you do a water change?
>>
>> If you have high ammonia levels I do not think water changes is your
>> answer. You are only going to temporarily mask a problem. Are you over
>> feeding?
>>
>> I have gone SEVERAL months with out a single water change in my 75 and my
>> ammonia levels do NOT fluctuate.
>
> I have a 75 gal tank with 75 lbs of LR ( I recently added 25lbs) The tank
> is up for approximately 2 years. I have a emperor filter that's been
> running since I set the tank up and I just started running a Fluval
> Canister filter, its been running for 2 months. (I'm transitioning from
> one to the next) I also have Red Sea's Prizm Protein Skimmer. I don't have
> a lot of fish (4 total) and a few blue claw hermits. My ammonia never
> gets below .50 PPM. I'm feeding them on 3 times a week (MWF) Water
> changes are roughly every 4 weeks
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Peter Pan" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
>>> advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When
>>> I do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out
>>> water.I then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove
>>> approximately 15 gals or so of water.
>>> I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am)
>>> I do know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually
>>> no change from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing
>>> away good water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank
>>> generates.
>>>
>>> Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it
>>> the right way?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

[Tre' Landrum]

The only time I ever use a siphon is with a shallow bed... which I usually
use crushed coral, not sand... If you use a deep sand bed you will only
disturb the anaerobic layer... this can release the toxins in the tank from
the anaerobic layer. When you use a shallow sand bed the only thing in the
bed is detritus you want to suck out so it doesn't add to the nitrogen
cycle. Hope this makes sense.

Tre'

"Peter Pan" > wrote in message
...
> I'm having some difficulties with my water changes and I'm looking for
> advise as to what I'm doing wrong. I have a 75 gal tank with a DSB. When I
> do my water changes I stick a siphon tube into the sand and pump out
> water.I then proceed to move the tube several times until I remove
> approximately 15 gals or so of water.
> I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not ( I don't believe I am) I
> do know when I check my ammonia levels the next day, I see virtually no
> change from before I did the water change. So one said I was throwing away
> good water and not getting rib of the harmful waste the tank generates.
>
> Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to do it
> the right way?
>
> Thanks
>

[Billy]

"stoutman" > wrote in message
m...
> Geesh, not sure why your ammonia is so high. You recently added
> the fluval


The new live rock is probably causing a mini-cycle. Water changes are
about all he can do at this point now that the damage is done, unless
he were to remove the new rock and cure it properly.

[DeeOooGee]

"Billy" > wrote in message
...
>
> "stoutman" > wrote in message
> m...
> > Geesh, not sure why your ammonia is so high. You recently added
> > the fluval
>
>
> The new live rock is probably causing a mini-cycle. Water changes are
> about all he can do at this point now that the damage is done, unless
> he were to remove the new rock and cure it properly.
>
Maybe by stirring up the sand bed during water changes you are causing a
mini cycle. I wouldn't touch the sand bed unless you have to.

[Pszemol]

"Peter Pan" > wrote in message ...
> I have a 75 gal tank with 75 lbs of LR ( I recently added 25lbs)
> The tank is up for approximately 2 years.

How long ago did you add this new rock ?

> My ammonia never gets below .50 PPM.

This is very bad sign if the tank is after the cycling period.
Asuming your testing is ok (is it?) something big has died in
your tank... Can you count all fish or one or two are missing?

[Pszemol]

"stoutman" > wrote in message m...
> I have gone 1-year with out a water change and my
> ammonia levels are very LOW.

I do not change the water very often as well...
What is your ammonia level exactly ?

[CapFusion]

Well.... Some trace element like -
ALK / Ca / Mg / Br / Sr etc...
When doing a regular constant schedule, the tank chemistry will have or
should be constant.
Having just fish may not be important but having like coral and such will
be.
I only add any element if it needed but regular schedule water changes will
keep it constant.

If you just add specific trace element for your tank need, I guess in your
case, you do not really need water changes.

CapFusion,...


"stoutman" > wrote in message
m...
> What elements do you need to replenish? Can't you add them without water
> changes? I know that water changing is wide spread in this hobby, but
> IMHO it does not need to be done as often as people do Give your natural
> biofilters a chance to grow and thrive. Water changes deprive the
> bacteria in your biofilter the nutrients that they need to grow.
>
> I dont have coral only fish and live rock. My water parameters (nitrite,
> nitrate, ammonia) are all in spec. My pH is kept in spec by dosing Kalk
> with top off H2O.
>
> My fish appear healthy along with my anenome and star fish.
>
>
> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "stoutman" > wrote in message
>> m...
>>> ok I lied a little. I have gone 1-year with out a water change and my
>>> ammonia levels are very LOW.
>>>
>>>
>> Hummm..... gone for a year without water changes? Just curious, when do
>> you do water changes or do you do water changes only if need to? I do
>> water changes eventhough all reading are in within parameter. The only
>> reason I would do water changes are to replenish elements.
>>
>> CapFusion,...
>>
>
>

[stoutman]

zero


"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> "stoutman" > wrote in message
> m...
>> I have gone 1-year with out a water change and my ammonia levels are very
>> LOW.
>
> I do not change the water very often as well...
> What is your ammonia level exactly ?