water change advice

so Wayne, tell me about this overflow. Does the aquarium water go thru the
overflow hose to the sump then you have a pump in the sump that you can
switch between bathtub and aquarium? That' sounds like an smooth and
non-messy setup. I don't have a tub near nor a basement but I might be able
to stick a hose out the window and water the yard for a minute. ha

B


"Wayne Sallee" wrote in message
...
exotec wrote on 7/3/2006 1:43 AM:
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.

When I do a water change on my 120 gallon tank, I add water that is
slightly saltier (heavier). I make a 50% water change. I use pumps and
hoses. The new water is pumped in with a hose that goes to the botom of
the tank, and a sock on the end of the hose. That way the new water stays
at the bottom of the tank (100% water change and fish, and corals don't
mind). The old water goes down the overflow. The one and only pump on the
system that pumps the water from the sump to the tank, is swiched with
valves to pumping water from the sump to the bath tub, and down the drain.
So I do a 50% water change on the tank, and the water in the tank never
drops. During the process, the fish and corals at the bottom half (realy
about 2/3 of the tank) experience a short term 100% water change, and are
not bothered by it.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets