Changing Lots Of Water...

[sparklefuzz]

I currently use a syphon hose to drain my freshwater tank when I do a water change, and use a hose to refill it, adding dechlorinator as I go. How do you refill a marine tank without using lots of buckets? or can't you...? I am planning on buying an RO Unit, but then the salt needs adding etc, so how do you do it? I have a 40g at the moment so it won't be as much an issue, but we plan on upgrading once we get the hang of marine - hopefully, although the bucket thing puts me off

 

[timmystood]

Well I don't know how it works with Marine since i'm setting up my marine tank but with my massive freshwater tanks that don't use a syphon system I add like 10Gallons at a time to a new garbage bin and mix my decholrator etc. in there, then carry the bin the tank and scoop it into the tank... this could work with Marine I guess because it allows you to mix the salt into the garbage bin...

 

[andywg]

Ideally you want to mix the salt some time before adding it (a few hours being the miniomum recommended).

I currently buy mine pre-mixed, but once I have an RO unit I will cook up a large batch and then keep it in water containers until needed.

 

[Chac]

I mix my water 2 -3 Days before hand-

Get the RO water heated then start adding your salt

Get the Salinity up to the same as your Tank then leave for a day or 3

I remove 20% of the tank water, then replace with the fresh salt water

 

[Mr Miagi]

I mix my water 2 -3 Days before hand-

Get the RO water heated then start adding your salt

Get the Salinity up to the same as your Tank then leave for a day or 3

I remove 20% of the tank water, then replace with the fresh salt water

Its as easy as that. For ease, and saving alot of un-neccessary bother with buckets, buy some water storage containers from a camping or outdoors store, which generaly hold 20-30 litres. Make sure its a food grade container though.

 

[crazyelece]

I have a 50 gal stock tub that I premix fresh salt water with RO/DI. I leave it mixing with a powerhead (mag250) and heater for a day or so. Then when I am ready I use a python to siphon out water to my utility sink. After I have removed the amount I want I detach the python from the sink and attach it to the powerhead in the stock tub. The powerhead then pumps the fresh salt water from my tub to my tank. No buckets, no mess, no problems. I have 50' of python hose so I can place my tub anywhere out of the way that works best.

 

[sparklefuzz]

Thank you all, thats great advice Seems very simple now