Water change question

[thecitadel]

So I've been wondering and I'm sure it makes no difference but also could be wrong.

I do about a 15% water change every Sunday, but I do it in 2 halves. For instance, I don't like turning off my return pump, so I put it on the lowest setting and drain right before it is too low and refill, than about 4 hours later I do that again and thats my water change. Should I be doing it all at once? Or does that not matter?

If you see my other thread I was having nitrate and Phosphate issues but after multiple water changes, equipment cleanings and sand vacuuming, nitrates are at 3.6, Phosphate down to .025 and all has been good, I just want to be on top of everything.

 

[CasperOe]

It makes a small difference; you're not changing 15% total by doing it this way. The first half (7.5%) will be diluted into your tank before changing the 2nd half. You are probably changing closer to 10% effectively by doing it like this.

Why would you not switch off your return pump?

 

[thecitadel]

Everything is looking way better, gaining color back and really opened up. Also seeing a huge loss in Aiptasia finally.

 

[Gtinnel]

It does slightly reduce how effective the water change is because the second time you are removing a small amount of the new water from the first change. It is not significantly different though and if you prefer doing it as two changes I would continue doing it that way

 

[thecitadel]

It makes a small difference; you're not changing 15% total by doing it this way. The first half (7.5%) will be diluted into your tank before changing the 2nd half. You are probably changing closer to 10% effectively by doing it like this.

Why would you not switch off your return pump?

Well honestly, it loses prime and then I'm fighting with it for 10 minutes trying to get it to start again. Is there a fix to this? Thank you!

 

[CasperOe]

Everything is looking way better, gaining color back and really opened up. Also seeing a huge loss in Aiptasia finally.

Glad to hear you're doing well and that the tank gets better! It's all about continuous improvement.. It looks not too bad anymore no

 

[CasperOe]

Well honestly, it loses prime and then I'm fighting with it for 10 minutes trying to get it to start again. Is there a fix to this? Thank you!

Haven't heard of a return pump loosing prime; it should be submerged at all time so water is readily available surely unless your pump is placed higher than the water level somehow?

When the return pump is off, water drains to the sump - unless you're running a sumpless system of some sort?

Anyhow; do what you are more comfortable doing. And if you're seeing good results, it means that you are doing thins right

 

[thecitadel]

Haven't heard of a return pump loosing prime; it should be submerged at all time so water is readily available surely unless your pump is placed higher than the water level somehow?

When the return pump is off, water drains to the sump - unless you're running a sumpless system of some sort?

Anyhow; do what you are more comfortable doing. And if you're seeing good results, it means that you are doing thins right

This is where I'm confused because its a standard setup with a sump.

My return is a mightyjet xl, and it runs to up to a Tee and splits to 2 returns, left and right side of tank. Never an issue. You turn it off and go to turn it on, it beeps, stating it has lost prime. I have to then lift it from the wayer, turn it on, and usually it will start, then can place back down. Sometimes it just doesn't start and beeps. I do not have any check valves of flappers on the return. I guess it's not that big of a deal, it just bothers me lol.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

This is where I'm confused because its a standard setup with a sump.

My return is a mightyjet xl, and it runs to up to a Tee and splits to 2 returns, left and right side of tank. Never an issue. You turn it off and go to turn it on, it beeps, stating it has lost prime. I have to then lift it from the wayer, turn it on, and usually it will start, then can place back down. Sometimes it just doesn't start and beeps. I do not have any check valves of flappers on the return. I guess it's not that big of a deal, it just bothers me lol.

Sounds like a defective unit.

 

[CasperOe]

This is where I'm confused because its a standard setup with a sump.

My return is a mightyjet xl, and it runs to up to a Tee and splits to 2 returns, left and right side of tank. Never an issue. You turn it off and go to turn it on, it beeps, stating it has lost prime. I have to then lift it from the wayer, turn it on, and usually it will start, then can place back down. Sometimes it just doesn't start and beeps. I do not have any check valves of flappers on the return. I guess it's not that big of a deal, it just bothers me lol.

Yeah that's very strange! Sorry I can't help you there, I was just looking at the specifications of the pump and it has nothing to do with lack of head pressure or increased back pressure I don't think so.

Could be broken, i would reach out to wherever you bought it.

Hopefully someone else here can help you out!

 

[Wyatt57]

Does your pump need cleaning? I saw something like this one time pump would not start up until I cleaned the impeller

 

[thecitadel]

Does your pump need cleaning? I saw something like this one time pump would not start up until I cleaned the impeller

Been doing it since day 1 brand new. Never understood why.

 

[CasperOe]

Been doing it since day 1 brand new. Never understood why.

Mate, how old is it now? That pump sounds broken! Hope you're still within warranty..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It makes a small difference; you're not changing 15% total by doing it this way. The first half (7.5%) will be diluted into your tank before changing the 2nd half. You are probably changing closer to 10% effectively by doing it like this.

Why would you not switch off your return pump?

Two 7.5% changes exactly equals one 14.4% change, so the difference vs one 15% change is trivially small.

 

[CasperOe]

Two 7.5% changes exactly equals one 14.4% change, so the difference vs one 15% change is trivially small.

One can always count on being corrected by your good self Every day is a school day! Cheers