[Tonz of fun]

Hey JV can I mix a huge mother batch of fresh water in a rubber made and just take 5 gallons at a time whenever I need it? I do 5 gallon changes weekly on my 54g tank. so that mother batch would be lasting around 2 months...

[Tonz of fun]

Steph listen to JV he is the pro at setting up reefs around here. Also you want to put water in your tank after your rock first then sand...

[stephaniesquires]

Off track of this thread but I'm on a roll Ok so if I got it right - rock and sand then water?? Currently there is nothing in the tank (except some scratches that I'm going to work on)... I will get rid of the bio balls and use live rock rubble in the sump.
There is some live rock here - been out of water for a few days and prior to that it was sitting in stagnant water. Can I use that in the sump?

[Tonz of fun]

I would get it in salt water with a powerhead until the rest of your rock comes in. You may need to use it as base rock and seed it. We can get to that later...Yes rock first then sand then water

[stephaniesquires]

Can I keep the "old rock" in a clear plastic bin (so it gets some light) with some salt water and a pump running until I get the new rock, sand and water in the tank?

[Tonz of fun]

Clear bin is not nessesary but yes just a bin with salt water and a pump is perfect. Just like the LFS steph.

[Abaco24]

In response to fishhead ........why not just pee in your tank for the water change?

What a risk you're taking from the LFS.

Maybe 2 gal of distilled water from Walmart @ 70 cents each would be safer don't ya think?

Your reef deserves better treatment.

[Lightsluvr]

Originally Posted by RyanG

Here is what I do:

I mix my water for 24 hours after adding salt to my mixing container. I then check PH, salinity levels then do the water change.

Thanks Ryan - makes perfect sense.

LL

[RyanG]

Originally Posted by Abaco24

In response to fishhead ........why not just pee in your tank for the water change?

What a risk you're taking from the LFS.

Maybe 2 gal of distilled water from Walmart @ 70 cents each would be safer don't ya think?

Your reef deserves better treatment.

If Fishhead wants to go to the LFS that is fine. That is his choice.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by Abaco24

In response to fishhead ........why not just pee in your tank for the water change?

These are the kind of responses that tick me off and have gotten me in trouble on my local club forums......

Sure I sit here and read posts and might even think that to myself while I sit and giggle... I dont type it out though...

Next time you type something like this, sit back and re-read it, and think about the person on the other end posting the question and the others who will read it.

Sometimes by reading what your about to post 2 or 3 times before actually posting it, you may change your mind and not post it...

Posts like that as I said have gotten me in trouble on my local club forum, I thought it was funny but others were insulted. I was told to read my posts before posting and try to read it in other peoples shoes as to not cause problems..

Its good advice..

Please have a little respect...

[burdenpi]

Originally Posted by Abaco24

In response to fishhead ........why not just pee in your tank for the water change?

What a risk you're taking from the LFS.

Maybe 2 gal of distilled water from Walmart @ 70 cents each would be safer don't ya think?

Your reef deserves better treatment.

I agree, think before you post. I think it is a stretch to say the LFS pee's in their RO. What's in it for them to piss off their customers. They may not have the knowledge and mislead people unintentionally. But I dont think they have incentive to screw people on purpose.

[Abaco24]

Check out Reef Central, pay the $24 and you'll have over 1000 opinions a day or more.

This site seems to be lacking participation compared to RC and we get the same insight from about 10 people.

I've found contradictions on both so once again opinions are like ....everyone has them. I do feel the knowledge base is higher for all your questions due to the number of participants on Reef Central.

Just my nube observations.

Glad I didn't go with Glasscages. Search them on RC.

You'll also have about 500-1000 viewers on the entire site at any time vs 3-4 here.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by Abaco24

Check out Reef Central, pay the $24 and you'll have over 1000 opinions a day or more.

This site seems to be lacking participation compared to RC and we get the same insight from about 10 people.

I've found contradictions on both so once again opinions are like ....everyone has them. I do feel the knowledge base is higher for all your questions due to the number of participants on Reef Central.

Just my nube observations.

Glad I didn't go with Glasscages. Search them on RC.

You'll also have about 500-1000 viewers on the entire site at any time vs 3-4 here.

I'm on Reef Central.

Glasscages isnt THAT bad, my friend just bought a 11 foot tank from them, Sloppy silicone on the eurobracing and cheap black tank trim, but 11 feet and 350 gallons for 2k, cant beat it...

[Cela Vie]

Late to the party, but here is what I do:

I have a 33 gallon (I think) brute can on wheels that I keep in my laundry room. I fill it up with RO/DI water and add the appropriate amount of salt and let it mix for 24 hours with a powerhead and a heater. I then check the temperature and salinity. I do this at least a week before I need to do a water change. BTW, the powerhead has an airpump attached to it so there is airation at the bottom. This causes for more evaporation, but 48 and 24 hours before the sheduled water change, I check the temerature and salinity again and make the appropriate adjustments, if needed. I also check right before the water change. Therefore, by the time I do the water change the fresh saltware is very well mixed and airated. Then I just wheel it over to the tank and pump it into the tank with the same powerhead I used to mix it. I just remove the airpump and attach the appropriate size hose. I don't check the pH before, but I may in the future, especially if I get a pinpoint pH monitor.

I realize the above will not work for everyone, but it works for me and may work for others.

[stephaniesquires]

Hope this isn't too far off topic - but thought I'd share that I was looking for the wheeled trash cans - yes Cela Vie they are Brute by Rubbermaid. I found them on line by googling Brute by Rubbermaid. Not cheap - with lid and wheels around $100 depending on size w/o shipping, but I can say I have one (came with the house and the tank!!) and it's great!! I'm building a ramp because the garage is 4" step down...

[Cela Vie]

Mine was approximately 60-70 at lowe's plus tax. I may do the garage/ramp thing during the winter. It's just too hot now for the garage.

[stephaniesquires]

Hope this isn't a dumb question but - can some of the prepared and well mixed water be refrigerated to be mixed in later to achieve good temp if it gets too hot??
Will that affect the quality - not being aerated? I'm going to have to prepare 20 - 50 gallons depending on how big a change and may have to keep it in the garage (So Cal - it gets hot in that garage). I have a fridge in the garage and could keep 3 -5 gallons - but would that make a difference in temp if I'm changing 20 - 50 gallons?

[Krazy]

I love my brute cans !!!

I put my fresh RO/DI water into my 32 gallon brute, and then I have a 44 gallon brute I fill and mix my saltwater in.

I use a mag 7 to mix the saltwater.

I dont use the dollies on mine.

When I move in 2 weeks, I am going to make a cement block stand for them both, to elevate them up 2-3 feet, put 1inch bulkheads close to the bottom of both cans, and then I can put a ball valve on them and just put my bucket under each and fill with ease

[Cela Vie]

You can put a large fan to blow air across it which would cool it, or you could bring it in the house the day before the water change for it to cool off. It all depends on how hot the water gets in the garage. You may be fine with the fan blowing air across it. That's how I cured my live rock and it never got over 83 (with the fan on). But I'm in Jacksonville so it may be hotter there.

[Cela Vie]

BTW, I would not put it in the fridge. Heck, depending on the no. of gallons, it may not fit. lol

[Abaco24]

In response to Krazy K,

If you actually take the time to read my response and its intent you will soon realize that my comments where directed at the poster and not the LFS owners in general. The guy changing his water would be better off getting clean water from Wal-Mart was my only point.

Ever seen the movie Stripes......Lighten up Francis !

[rlcline76]

Yeah, and if you read Krazy's response he was trying to tell you to tone it down as politely as he could. You might be a hilarious person, but none of us know you well enough and do not want you kicked off before we have a chance to figure you out ans see exactly what you have to offer.

Reef Central is OK. I like this better because many of us are familiar with each other. We pretty much know who we have helping us. It is easy to get lost in the big RC machine when you are a little cog!

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by Abaco24

In response to Krazy K,

If you actually take the time to read my response and its intent you will soon realize that my comments where directed at the poster and not the LFS owners in general. The guy changing his water would be better off getting clean water from Wal-Mart was my only point.

Ever seen the movie Stripes......Lighten up Francis !

Here is something for you to soon realize, posts like the one you made will get you banned. It was reported to the moderators for a reason, and that was because some were unhappy with it.

Also FYI here's something else to consider: Telling me to lighten up over your reported post is a quick way to be looking in from the outside.