ok guys i need your help I've had my tank for about 3 years now everything is doing well I keep up with my water changes the way I was taught was to put a mark on display tank that marks 15 or 20 gallons depends which one I wanna do I just marked it so I know. Now before I even start draining water from the tank for the water change I go in the sump and turn off the return pump through apex and twist off the valve for the return pump and the one on the side as well that stops the water from the display tank to go into the sump. Then i add the water into the display tank and when the 15 minutes is up the apex turns back on the return pump and skimmer I then have to turn the valve back on for the return pump and the one on the side that will let the water fall back in the sump I recently noticed that the return valve is leaking. It is not leaking now but when I do a water change it starts to leak. How do you guys do your water change? Have I been doing it correct? Any tips? Is there a way that I don't have to touch the valve in the sump because I do my water change through the display.
How can i make it easier
- Thread starter ehaffa
- Start date
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Here is my routine. It might help.
Prepare water and leave barrel mixing pump on. Turn off skimmer if its on.
Turn on pump in sump that pumps water out.
When my ATO starts running, I turn off my return pump.
Once I have removed the proper amount of old water I turn off my sump pump.
I then turn 1 valve that allows the mixing pump to put water in the sump.
I fill to the correct level and turn valve off.
Restart my return pump and skimmer if it was on.
Prepare water and leave barrel mixing pump on. Turn off skimmer if its on.
Turn on pump in sump that pumps water out.
When my ATO starts running, I turn off my return pump.
Once I have removed the proper amount of old water I turn off my sump pump.
I then turn 1 valve that allows the mixing pump to put water in the sump.
I fill to the correct level and turn valve off.
Restart my return pump and skimmer if it was on.
lpsouth1978
Valuable Member
I have 2 x 44 gallon Brute cans, one red, one grey,(you can use whatever size works best for you). I turn off the return and drain water into the waste water brute (red can) to match the amount of water I have mixed in the other (grey) can. I then turn on a pump in the grey can and pump the clean water back into the tank. Lastly I turn the return back on. Done in all of about 10 minutes.
