What does everyone do with their fish with large water change

[Cole Schultz]

Hey everyone! I'm very new to r2r, and I have a very dumb question [emoji4]. What does everyone do with their fish when they do water changes?? I have a 75G aquarium and I'm not even stocked yet, just making notes and preparing. I posed the question on the pets stack exchange as well. It seems like half my tank will be gone when emptying for a water change. Does anyone put fish in bags while doing these so they aren't stressed or shocked when adding back the water and cleaning? Hope this isn't a dumb question as it's my first. P.S. I went with r2r because we have an app. P.P.S. I'm fairly new to reefing and wanted a family of fellow hobbyists to turn to while I inch my way into this. Thanks

 

[vertigo01]

They will be less stressed if you leave then in the tank than they would if you tried chasing them down, netting them and keeping them in a bag for the short while that you are doing water change.

Why are you doing a 50% water change?
Most do a percentage between 10 and 25%.

 

[jaws789832]

I just leave them in the tank. I do about 20% water change a month (which is pretty much standard), and it doesn't even phase the fish anymore. They are used to it.

 

[AcroNem]

In fully stocked reef systems it shouldn't hurt at all to just leave them in the tank as long as the new water's parameters match the water you took out.

 

[Cole Schultz]

Thanks everyone. It's a pretty standard 48" wide 75G tank and I plan on doing 25-30% water changes. At that amount of water my upper pieces of rock are out of water. Like I said, I'm new so I was looking for some advice. About 8 years ago, I had an unsuccessful run at getting this tank started. My youth and inexperience are now replaced by research, planning, and paperwork. Just making sure all my T's are crossed.

 

[AcroNem]

That won't be an issue either, some corals will be fine out of water for short amounts of time too

 

[Cole Schultz]

They will be less stressed if you leave then in the tank than they would if you tried chasing them down, netting them and keeping them in a bag for the short while that you are doing water change.

Why are you doing a 50% water change?
Most do a percentage between 10 and 25%.

25-30% Since that's about what my brute trash can will hold from my RODI

 

[Cole Schultz]

That won't be an issue either, some corals will be fine out of water for short amounts of time too

Thank you! While we are on the topic of stress for the fish and and coral: I planned on just pumping (have a small transfer pump for water changes) the water instead of siphoning the gravel if it doesn't need cleaned. Is that fine you think? Or will all the noise and vibration from the pump be harmful. It's actually relatively quiet in my opinion, but just concerned. Attached is my small pump. It'll pump my 30 gallons out in about 4 or 5 minutes.

 

[Reefiness]

Why not just siphon the water out?

 

[Kershaw]

most of my fish like to pick at things when all the flow is off so as long as I don't make sudden movements they stay out and pick things. My malanarus will go right up to the siphon tube

 

[Cole Schultz]

Why not just siphon the water out?

Just the set up I have I guess. I planned on siphoning when vaccuming the substrate, but I don't have any running water downstairs to be able to pump it to my drain (75 ft). And I don't want to really get and store another large container to siphon into, then transport to the drain and pump out. With the electric pump, I'm able to pump it the entire 75 feet to the drain quickly. When I need to vacuum the sand, I will use my 10 ft hose siphon into like a 5 gallon bucket. (as part of cleaning)

 

[Reefiness]

most of my fish like to pick at things when all the flow is off so as long as I don't make sudden movements they stay out and pick things. My malanarus will go right up to the siphon tube

just be careful, I gave one of my wrasses a hickey because he got too close to the siphon.

 

[saltyhog]

Yep, my fish follow the siphon tube around thinking they may get something to eat stirred up. I have to kind of watch out. One downside to hand feeding your fish and having them as tame as dogs.

 

[Flippers4pups]

My fish usually stay clear of my siphon tube, but the shrimp think it's a smorgasbord. Lol

 

[Kershaw]

just be careful, I gave one of my wrasses a hickey because he got too close to the siphon.

I keep a kink where I hold it so I can stop siphon quick.

 

[Kershaw]

just be careful, I gave one of my wrasses a hickey because he got too close to the siphon.

You sure you gave it hickey with the hose? Maybe some other way

 

[Reefiness]

I keep a kink where I hold it so I can stop siphon quick.

I made this little contraption. 2 connections for the siphon out and pump in. Makes things a little easier. No risk of sucking up fish, and I dont need to hold the tube anymore.

 

[Kershaw]

Honestly my siphon isn't very strong. I think my wrasse could swim out of it. He has come right up to it with out issue

 

[Kentech5]

I made this little contraption. 2 connections for the siphon out and pump in. Makes things a little easier. No risk of sucking up fish, and I dont need to hold the tube anymore.

How do you get the siphon started on that?

 

[Reefiness]

Same way I get every siphon started pinky.