MBruun
Active Member
Performing water change by the skimmer
One way to perform water change is using the skimmer to overflow and replacing the skimmate with new saltwater.
But is it a good idea in the long run ?
Dong Zou mentioned in a episode of "Beyond the reef" podcast with Adam from Frag Garage (I think it was) that it was very efficient to perform WC using the skimmer to overflow.
Performing a normal WC by replacing let's say 10% water is said to be ok in regards to adjust the ion balance, but how to know or measure how much is actually required ? Which parameters will show if your WC is sufficient ?
Which pitfalls or benefits do you see using the skimmer to remove the water ?
I do WC weekly by the skimmer and it makes the WC process a lot easier for me, as I'm changing less water than I use to and I don't have to turn off anything. The amount of work and effort is less and once the process is started, it runs by itself.
I use to prepare 90 liter the day before -> turn off all, but light and circulation -> empty the sump by a pump -> pump the prepared water back and turn everything back on. (My 700 liter tank is 15 meter from the bathroom...)
Using this method I prepare a bucket with 30 liter water -> connect a hose to the skimmer, and let the skim mate flow to a container -> add my spare ATO to the 30 liter bucket -> turn of the fresh water ATO -> turn up the skimmer to let it slowly overflow and let it run for like +3 hours - when done turn the fresh water ATO back on.
I admit I'm a bit lazy, but I like a "work smarter not harder" approach.
I wrote this question in another thread about WC or no WC, but think it's better of in it's own thread.
One way to perform water change is using the skimmer to overflow and replacing the skimmate with new saltwater.
But is it a good idea in the long run ?
Dong Zou mentioned in a episode of "Beyond the reef" podcast with Adam from Frag Garage (I think it was) that it was very efficient to perform WC using the skimmer to overflow.
Performing a normal WC by replacing let's say 10% water is said to be ok in regards to adjust the ion balance, but how to know or measure how much is actually required ? Which parameters will show if your WC is sufficient ?
Which pitfalls or benefits do you see using the skimmer to remove the water ?
I do WC weekly by the skimmer and it makes the WC process a lot easier for me, as I'm changing less water than I use to and I don't have to turn off anything. The amount of work and effort is less and once the process is started, it runs by itself.
I use to prepare 90 liter the day before -> turn off all, but light and circulation -> empty the sump by a pump -> pump the prepared water back and turn everything back on. (My 700 liter tank is 15 meter from the bathroom...)
Using this method I prepare a bucket with 30 liter water -> connect a hose to the skimmer, and let the skim mate flow to a container -> add my spare ATO to the 30 liter bucket -> turn of the fresh water ATO -> turn up the skimmer to let it slowly overflow and let it run for like +3 hours - when done turn the fresh water ATO back on.
I admit I'm a bit lazy, but I like a "work smarter not harder" approach.
I wrote this question in another thread about WC or no WC, but think it's better of in it's own thread.
