How to do my own saltwater change?

[Roy 9121]

Your tank looks great by the way. If they are keeping it that nice, for only $100 every 3-4 months, I think you're getting your money's worth.

 

[keddre]

Others: Do you need to two part dose a fowlr? Seems like a waste

 

[Roy 9121]

Others: Do you need to two part dose a fowlr? Seems like a waste

I don't think you need to dose a fish only tank.

 

[keddre]

I don't think you need to dose a fish only tank.

That's what I'm thinking and other than whatever that is at the bottom right, I don't see any corals in their tank

 

[JoshKReef]

That's what I'm thinking and other than whatever that is at the bottom right, I don't see any corals in their tank

My guess is that his ro system is filling those and using as ato.

 

[keddre]

My guess is that his ro system is filling those and using as ato.

It doesn't look like they are connected. The colors aren't matching up, plus the bottles are open meaning they could overflow

 

[Miami Reef]

It's definitely ours. It's not in use. The filters are crystal clear.

I'm thinking to just leave it to the professionals. They seem to be doing a good job and they bring already premade saltwater from fish stores. There is never algae anywhere, so maybe it's worth it. It's just that I recently bought corals (they are in the tank, just very small) and the guy said we are going to need more maintenance.

Here's my corals in the tank.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Not sure about most of you guys but to me setting up, maintaining my tank is just as important and fun as owning one. I think if someone is going to own a tank should know atleast the basics like water change. Not knocking you OP just my opinion. I would suggest check out some youtube videos on tank maintenance and how to do water changes. it really is not a big deal and you already have all the equipment you need.

RODI water, salt and mix it in a bucket, add a heat to let the water get to the same temp as your DT. remove old water, put new water in tank.. that it.. do you have anything to measure the salt in the water?

 

[Miami Reef]

@Xclusive Reef Oh, I completely agree. I WANT to maintain the reef. I already change the socks and feed the fish. I wasn't always interested in the aquarium. I still live with my parents (I'm 18). Before that, my dad would overfeed like you've never seen. He would feed chicken and beef. The tank looked gross and disgusting, no matter how many maintenances. Now, I clean these filters twice a week, and I'm the only one who feeds. The aquarium looks astonishing! If anything, I WANT algae for my tangs.

The maintenance person also comes with the water guy. I just asked my mom, and she said she pays the water guy
$110 and the guy to actually scrub the glass and do the cleaning $125.

The RODI system is ours. Does it have to be connected to the aquarium? I see wires connected to places, but the actual machine is not in use. What do you think?

 

[Xclusive Reef]

@Xclusive Reef Oh, I completely agree. I WANT to maintain the reef. I already change the socks and feed the fish. I wasn't always interested in the aquarium. I still live with my parents (I'm 18). Before that, my dad would overfeed like you've never seen. He would feed chicken and beef. The tank looked gross and disgusting, no matter how many maintenances. Now, I clean these filters twice a week, and I'm the only one who feeds. The aquarium looks astonishing! If anything, I WANT algae for my tangs.

The maintenance person also comes with the water guy. I just asked my mom, and she said she pays the water guy
$110 and the guy to actually scrub the glass and do the cleaning $125.

The RODI system is ours. Does it have to be connected to the aquarium? I see wires connected to places, but the actual machine is not in use. What do you think?

I would honestly start by shadowing the guy who is doing maintenance on your tank, watch what he does. ASK as many questions as you can about the equipment and how it is hooked up without letting him know you want to do the maintenance yourself. then start by getting some test kits and checking water once a week. Start by just doing water changes and cleaning the glass. check to see if you have all the equipment and if not then you can pick it up yourself. Once you see him do it 1-2 times you will get the hang of it and you can then take over.

On the other hand, If you going to be busy with school , work and whatever else and can't dedicate the time then I would probably suggest to keep the guy you have to clean and maintain your tanks. I restarted in the hobby again and I have a 3 year old, I know how much time this hobby takes and one has to be prepared to put in the time.

 

[Young@Heart]

Another Question why is the Protein Skimmer not in Use (Reef Octopus)? What is being used in its place? It looks like it was cleaned and then no longer used. This is a bit confusing because the Tank is Beautiful - it should need this equipment. Is there equipment somewhere else? I agree - Watch the guy and ask questions.

 

[Miami Reef]

then start by getting some test kits and checking water once a week. Start by just doing water changes and cleaning the glass.

Besides for water changes, glass cleaning, and water checking, what else do you do for maintenance? It seems like that's pretty much the whole maintenance to me.

I have no clue why that protein skimmer is not in use. I will ask the guy on Friday when he comes.

I will shadow him. That sounds like a great idea.

 

[Young@Heart]

You need to do some things to get off on the right foot:

- Learn how to check your water chemistry (Salinity, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Mg, Phosphate, Ect). I have found that your LFS (Local Fish Store) will usually do a water test for you (but you may want to learn as you having more hands on - gives you a feeling of having a bigger investment to the hobby. Also there may be a time where something is going on and you want to keep more timely tabs on it, besides going the LFS route involves trusting them to do the test right.

- Being a Part of Reef2Reef is definitely a good start.

- Learn what your fish like and don't like (food, companions, etc.)

- The corals may need more specialized lighting than what you have (I don't know what you have).

- The way I have experienced it was to "direct" feed the corals".

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Besides for water changes, glass cleaning, and water checking, what else do you do for maintenance? It seems like that's pretty much the whole maintenance to me.

I have no clue why that protein skimmer is not in use. I will ask the guy on Friday when he comes.

I will shadow him. That sounds like a great idea.

usually a good idea to do water change, if you have sand in display tank siphon the sand , clean out the sump area, meaning socks, which you already doing, cleaning out the skimmer cup if you have one. I also suggest taking some pics and posting here so we see how your system is setup so we can guide you a little better.

 

[Miami Reef]

@Xclusive Reef there are pictures I posted in the first page.

Someone asked what the black cylinder was for. I think it's the chiller and heater. It's both connected to it. I will take a better picture of what's going down there (it looks rather dirty) tomorrow.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here's a photo of what's in the box.

 

[penguin_free]

If you ask, the aquarium guy will lklely walk you through things and teach you how it all works, if you want to work on it along with him over a few service calls. The forum is a nice resource, and free is a big plus. But IMO it's also worth keeping a good relationship with the person who has been taking care of the tank. You've got to have a lot invested in it, and if something starts to go wrong, then it's nice to have someone to call.

 

[Miami Reef]

Very true. I'm not getting rid of him. I was thinking to maybe do some smaller water changes in between his changes because a partial change every 3-4 months does not sound like enough changes. Especially since I am feeding my newly aquired corals.

 

[Miami Reef]

i will ask him my exact questions, but this forum really helps because now I will sound like I know what I'm saying.

 

[mckinleyw]

That looks like a uv filter to me. chillers are usually pretty good size. I agree with most in here shadow ur maintenance guy and question everything lol. hopefully he doesn't mind