Our first water change

[eww]

We are about to do our first water change this weekend. It has been almost 4 weeks since the start-up and I was figuring on doing a 15% volume change or about 10-12 gallons out of our estimated 70 gal system. I am planning on adding the "old" water to partially fill a 29 gal QT in the garage. The new water will be mixed to the matching salinity of the tank. Are there any additives I should put in or should I just wait a day or so and do a full round of tests to see if there are any lacking elements? Any warning of pitfall's or helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. I'm a little nervous about messing with this much water from the system after having virtually no issues so far.

Thank you in advance.

 

[NC2WA]

I assume the tank has cycled??
if so, then yes a WC can be done.

No additives are needed at this point since I assume you do not have anything in it (that is, fish or corals).

you can perform a test of the water the day after the WC.

as long as you test the salinity and pH of the new mixed before you add it to the display you should be fine.

if you were closer, I would stop by and help you.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

same gravity and close to the same temp you will be ok

 

[eww]

I assume the tank has cycled??
if so, then yes a WC can be done.

No additives are needed at this point since I assume you do not have anything in it (that is, fish or corals).

you can perform a test of the water the day after the WC.

as long as you test the salinity and pH of the new mixed before you add it to the display you should be fine.

if you were closer, I would stop by and help you.

The tank cycled really quickly since we put in established live rock. It only took a week or so. I have consulted many experienced reefers about most every move so far and only did so with their approvals. I have been testing regularly and probably to often actually. Almost to the point of being crazed about it. After everything tested clear for a week more we added some fish and corals and still all parameters have remained stable. There has been a small Diatom bloom but it's all but gone now. Thanks for the offer to help NC2WA and I understand the distance thing. Just knowing there are so many people out there willing to jump when an emergency arises makes us feel a lot better about things like this. I'm sure if I put out the 911 there would be helpers. I think we will be ok. It's like I said, it's just nerve racking to disturb something that has gone so well so far. I just thought I would put it out on here to make sure I am not missing anything.

 

[eww]

same gravity and close to the same temp you will be ok

Thats along the lines I was thinking. Thanks Justin. If you are around on Sunday we might stop by.

 

[NC2WA]

btw..i like the way you are going slow...this will do you well in this hobby..

 

[psb]

One way to think of it is not doing the water change is messing it up. Meaning you should set up a regular and reliable schedule to do the water changes as a way to maintain a consistent water parameters.

 

[jrgilles]

I'm changing 10-15% weekly (although I'm going on 3 weeks now while waiting to get my sump back tonight)

I add in 2 tbsp. mg sup, 2 tbsp alkalinity sup and a tbsp calcium to my water change water. If you can figure out how much your tank uses, I like supplementing in the water change water.

I put the DI into a garbage can with a heater and powerhead. Add supplements and let stir overnight, then add salt and mix again overnight before I add to the tank.

The salt has some ammonia in it, so good to let it gas out for a day before adding to the tank

 

[eww]

I'm thinking I might do the change without supplements and test the next day to see what needs to be added if any. That way we don't overshoot something. Once I get used to what it take I could probably do it the way you describe Rob. I am planning on mixing up the SW tonight after we get home from the BBQ. Rain Rain go away!!!

 

[IWishIWasAFish]

You should feel great about the level of care you are taking

I'm afraid I fill a bucket with some water, treat to remove chlorine(or leave it stand for 24hours, in which case its rather too cold), stir in the salt until its fully mixed, test and adjust salinity, wait about 5 mintues and dump it in the tank. Of course, I also don't keep any of the more delicate SPS or fishes. I dose when I top off the water.

Actually, I think you, in combination with the nasty evaporation rate on my new and larger system, have inspired me to do better. I hereby resolve to set up the bucket of water with salt, heater and pump before I leave school on Fridays, and add it to the aquarium as part of a small water change on Monday mornings. We'll see how that goes.