How to change water in a SW tank?

[Anthony8858]

I have freshwater tanks, but have been following the marine section with interest. It is my goal to have a 100+ gallon SW tank setup sometime in the future.

My FW water changes are pretty routine with success.
Basically take my tap water into 2 5 gallon buckets, add water conditioner, check PH and temp, then dump in tank.
*I'm sure there are lots of ways I SHOULD be doing this, but this works for me.

Anyway...

How would I do, let's say a 20 gallon water change with SW, if I only have (2) 5 gallon buckets?
My wife would not like a bunch of buckets laying around while the water stabilizes.

Can you describe your water change procedure for SW?

I think I'm more curious as to how you get tap water into a SW tank, without having to have a bunch of buckets of "pre treated" water all through the house.

[Max]

I don't know about any space restrictions you might have but, I use a 50 heavy duty trash can. I just mix up a big batch at one time and use it at need. Just use an air stone or something to keep your water moving and a heater to keep it close to tanks temp. The lid will help cut down on evap and will keep dust and such out of your tank. That way you only have to get one or two buckets and make trips. You also should check you s.g. b/4 adding any of your aged sea water to your tank. Might have to top it off just like you do your tanks. I'd also recommed either gettin a R.O. or still,because if you don't you'll be adding all sorts of stuff to your tank,"phosphates etc". I also check my ph parameters and try to make it about = to my tank water.
Hope this helps
Chris

[Cearbhaill]

I use Brute garbage cans on wheels with an air pump and an airstone going. At any one time I have 40 gallons of RO/DI water and 20 of premixed saltwater on hand.
I've been told that you need to premix your saltwater at least 24 hours in advance of using it- and longer may even be better.

On water change day I just siphon out x amount of water- it goes to a bathtub if the tank is handy to one, or into another garbage can if it is not. Then I just use a small water pump to get my premixed and temp adjusted water into the tank. Pretty easy.

The Brutes on wheels really make water storage easy- I keep mine in my "fish crap closet" so no one has to look at them.
Frankly- with a 100g tank I don't see how you will be able to avoid water storage of some sort. One emergency where you need water and don't have any will make that fairly clear.

[Kurt]

I think I'm more curious as to how you get tap water into a SW tank, without having to have a bunch of buckets of "pre treated" water all through the house.

I guess most people use the large plastic garbage cans for storing premix water in. Currently mine is beside my tank. but am currently to the process of adding a 75 refugium in my basement one floor below my tank. So the premix water will soon be there instead of upstairs. So with this just one smaller pail say 2.5 gallons and another smaller jug for scooping water will work good to not spill any water.
And most people use RO water also.
I am hoping that the 1/3 HP submersible pump will be my best buy as the return pump.

[Anthony8858]

My wife is looking over my shoulder, reading your responses.

If you put your ear next to your monitor, you can almost hear her:

YOU ARE NOT KEEPING BARRELS OF WATER ANYWHERE IN THIS HOUSE!

Can you hear her?

In all fairness, having to go through extremes ( I consider keeping garbage cans of water in my livingroom extreme) to have SW is a bit more than I expected.

Maybe I'll stick to FW.

[Kurt]

What about the fish tank in the first place. Isn't that like a barrel of water? Don't you have an out of the way place you could put one? Yes salt water is an extreme hobby. :D

[Cearbhaill]

In all fairness, having to go through extremes ( I consider keeping garbage cans of water in my livingroom extreme) to have SW is a bit more than I expected.
It's not a big deal. The whole point of rolling barrels is to roll them away when they're not in use. You'll note I keep all my water in a closet out of sight. My home is very presentable. :cool:

[Jman]

I've just gotten started and I believe that unlike FW where I vacuum the substrate when changing water I will not want to do that with my DSB. Is that correct?

Am I correct in assuming that my cleanup crew will handle the fallen detritus?

[jhrivera]

It was my understanding that you don't want to disrupt the DSB. Your inverts should and will take care of the detritus.

[Sregnar35]

I have a 75 gallon, and I do a 5 gallon water change once a week, with one 5 gallon bucket. I siphon the bucket full of aquarium water, dump it in the tub, fill it right up with water out of my bathtub and add salt. Then I stir it for a minute or 2 and just dump it in. I try to get the temp close and I check the salinity b4 I add it to the tank, but that's it, simple.

[caz]

why not dump the water down the toilet? no cleanup hehe

[Sregnar35]

I dump it in the bathtub unless my driveway is icy, then dump it out there!