Different Water Change Method

[jackson6745]

Damn, your skimmer pulled that in 25mins? Can recirculating skimmers do the also.

BTW, at least the ap600 only uses 20W as opposed to your 300W. That thing is like an SUV.

I'm not sure if the recir skimmers can skim this wet ???

As for the ap600
add 19fish to your tank and tell me what your nitrate and phosphate levels are

I drive a ford expedition......I'm just a big waste of natural resources

 

[masterswimmer]

Rich, I cured my LR at the beginning the same way you're talking about. Just a wet skim to me was better than doing WC's.

So I like the idea. The part I don't like AT ALL is dumping salt right into your sump. I'm quite sure it dissolves the way you say it does. However, the reason for letting fresh saltwater 'age' for 24 - 48 hrs is to allow the caustic reaction to dissipate.

I know you said you only do five gallons in a 130 gal. system, so the problem is solved by dilution. But recommending this to everyone with a blanket endorsement can create some unexpected problems.

Russ

 

[jackson6745]

You're right Russ. I didn't mean for it to sound like I recommend dumping the salt directly into the sump, it was more about the concept of WC through wet skimming.

People, don't add salt directly to your sump

 

[jackson6745]

Russ you would have a heart attack if I told you my method for treating red bugs

 

[kimoyo]

I do have 2500GPH running through my 30gal sump (skimmer + return)

:lol:, I missed this before. Its like two SUVs.

So I like the idea. The part I don't like AT ALL is dumping salt right into your sump. I'm quite sure it dissolves the way you say it does. However, the reason for letting fresh saltwater 'age' for 24 - 48 hrs is to allow the caustic reaction to dissipate.

Whats a caustic reaction?

 

[masterswimmer]

Cool, because that is a great way to combine removing DOC's and do water changes simultaneously. Killing the proverbial two birds with one stone.

Everyone who does intend to try this, please use caution and monitor your salinity agressively. It is very easy to have large fluctuations that can crash your system. And remember......don't do this method while away on a two week vacation.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

Russ you would have a heart attack if I told you my method for treating red bugs

uh oh, not Interceptor I'm guessing. :sigh1:

Should I ask?

master

 

[jackson6745]

uh oh, not Interceptor I'm guessing. :sigh1:

Should I ask?

master

I'll tell you at the frag swap...it's another one of those things that the public shouldn't do

 

[masterswimmer]

Whats a caustic reaction?

Hey Paul,
A caustic reaction is when a chemical action occurs and you get a corrosive, burning or stinging substance. Dissolving synthetic salts in water creates heat for one thing. That is evidence right there that a caustic reaction is happening. This caustic reaction will dissipate over the course of 24 hours or so, rendering the newly mixed saltwater usable for our tanks.

In construction, when we pour a concrete slab or foundation in the winter (freezing weather) the water in the concrete can freeze before the cement/concrete cures. This compromises the integrity of the cement. One of the tricks of the trade is using calcium chloride in the cement mix to generate more heat (more heat because curing cement generates heat all by itself). This with straw and a plastic tarp over it will allow you to pour a slab in the dead of winter.

Now add salt directly to your tank and you're asking for potential problems.

Russ

 

[Vic8361]

Rich sound interesting I will try it when I upgrade my skimmer. But I really need to know how you treat for redbugs as well send me a pm with that one please.
Thanks,
Vic

 

[masterswimmer]

I'll tell you at the frag swap...it's another one of those things that the public shouldn't do

Outside the box man :sgrin: , the best place to live.

master

 

[nanoreefer22]

I'll tell you at the frag swap...it's another one of those things that the public shouldn't do

:lol::shhh::approve:

 

[kimoyo]

.

 

[kimoyo]

Bump for a good idea.

Wondering how people compare this water change to a regular water change. Is this more effective?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i think this is a great idea. only thing i would do different is let the saltwater mix overnight and then dump it in. that's cuz i don't have an ATO.

 

[loismustdie]

I've been using this method since this post came up. The only difference is like Scarface listed above which is, I mix my water over the course of a few days in a separate container, drain half of the amount of my water change using this method and the other half is siphoned, cleaning ditritus that has settled into my sump. Then I add in the mixed batch of saltwater.
An honest assessment on how effective it is would be difficult because you never know if it is something else you did which caused the changes. I change 30 gallons per month of a 230 gallon water volume. So roughly only 15 gallons a month is removed this way. No change in PO4 or nitrate, which are low in my tank anyway and I already have systems in place to keep them that way. I would say that my water is clearer, but not sure if it could be attributed to that.
I like changing my water this way. I use the downdraft skimmer to do this, not my euroreef, since, for me it is easier to adjust the downdraft and it is set up with a drain on the collection cup.