Auto Water Change while the tank is running?

[bozo]

Just wondering if anyone else does automatic water changes while the return pump is running.

I have a dual head stenner peristaltic pump that dumps new water into the return section and takes out water from the section where the main siphon dumps into.

I do this while the tank is running. I've been doing it this way for several years.

I've always thought that I was wasting new saltwater, but didnt think it was much.

Anyone else do it this way?

Thanks

 

[slythy]

I leave mine running. I dont see a reason to turn it off. By the time the tank dilutes the new water And pumps out the old I bet you truly arent losing enough to worry about.

You can test for something like nitrate before and after. For simple numbers sake. If you have 1 nitite and you do a 50% change and you have .55 nitrate left over then you have lost 10% of the new water.

But i truely dont think it would be that high if you are putting it in the return and taking it from the drain. I also dont know id it would be close to that accurate with hobby tests.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I leave it running. The efficiency loss is minor unless you are comparing to very large single changes.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I leave mine running.