We have a RO/DI system, which really wasn't that expensive. We found
an old 25-gallon plastic barrel and washed it out exceptionally well,
and use this as a reservoir. The lid had to be cut out larger to
accomodate dropping in a powerhead, but we mix salt in the drum also
and let the powerhead run for an hour or so. Then we use the same
powerhead to uplift the water into a 5-gallon bucket. If we had a
longer piece of the appropriate size tubing, we'd just use that, and
pump directly into the tank system.

When we remove water for replacement, we take the powerhead from the
barrel and put it in the sump, then run a piece of tubing across the
counter into the kitchen sink. Have to use a twist-tie to attach the
"wild end" to the faucet if we don't want to wash the kitchen floor
the hard way.

And we never add anything directly to the tank. For small volumes
(supplements, etc) we pour into the overflows; for larger volumes, we
pour or pump into the sump. I live in fear of dire warnings from
publications and LFS "experts" (?) about shocking the tank with
too-quick changes, so we try to make sure whatever goes into the
system hits the tank last.

Look into the RO/DI units. We live in an apartment, and it was neither
too expensive nor too challenging to install. Plus, it gets used for
drinking water as well, so it's turned out to be a bargain for us.

Good luck.


On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 05:06:30 GMT, "Bryan" wrote:

Well I did the water change today, about 30%. What a mess. I thought I'd
ask some "experienced" people's advice.

I have questions like:

Am I the only one using store bought water?!
What do you mix your new water in?
Do you sit there and stir or have extra powerheads doing the trick or is
there something I haven't thought of?
What's the best way to take the water from the container on the ground up to
the aquarium?

Here's a couple of things I didn't think about before I started. Thank
goodness there's nothing but snails and hermits right now.

1) I have Emperor 400's, when the water is too low they can't pull in the
water to circulate and aerate. This leads to one deadwater tank. I thought
maybe I should throw in air stones... is that what you guys do? Is stones
enough or do I need to have some filtration still working?

2) When I'm putting water back in (I lifted those 5 gallon water jugs) it
sure seemed like the flow from pouring might a bit rough on the rocks and
critters below once I get them. Yes I can sit there much longer and only
let the heavy jug slowly pour out, but there's gotta be another way. Can
you siphon uphill as easily?

Anyway, I've read a couple of things on the web but I don't have a sump,
refugium or a RO/DI connected nearby so I didn't get a lot of help. And
about those RO/DI's, do they have one that doesn't have to be plugged into
my plumbing? (small house, no basements in Texas and a decorator wife
wouldn't allow it). I'd like one that pulled water from one container into
another.

So what is your smooth water change technique?

Thanks for your time and advice,

Bryan
www.geocities.com/bryg30/ for setup details


=^..^=
.... the problem with people these days is that
they've forgotten we're really just animals.