Smitty
Aquarium Advice Addict
Howdy!
Time is quickly approaching when I will be able to set up my new tank. Hopefully in the next 4-5 weeks.
I have been thinking about the maintenance of the tank. It is a 90g with a 55g tank as a sump (so will not have a full 55g in it). At first it will be FOWLER but will become a reef tank very quickly.
So the questions have to do with water changes. I understand you should do 10-20% water changes. How to people go about doing this? First, is the sump water included in that calculation or is just the display? Also, I understand it isn't good to let corals get exposed to the air, but what if you have some toward the top of the tank? If you take out 15-20 gallons you could very well expose corals to the air.
Also, do you pull from the tank or the sump? If pulling from the sump it would be easier but I can't see getting a full 20% out of the sump because there wouldn't be enough in the sump even with the tank lowering as well to make up what was removed from the sump. Plus you wouldn't be vacuuming out any bad stuff from the tank.
Finally, where do people buy the large plastic containers for the pre-mix? I've been looking around for a 40-55g food safe container but haven't found anything locally. I can see wanting 2 of these as well (one a bit smaller) so you can have pre-mix ready and then having one for just the waist. Having a septic system I can't just pour the old water down the drain.
Sorry it is so long, thanks for your time!
Time is quickly approaching when I will be able to set up my new tank. Hopefully in the next 4-5 weeks.
I have been thinking about the maintenance of the tank. It is a 90g with a 55g tank as a sump (so will not have a full 55g in it). At first it will be FOWLER but will become a reef tank very quickly.
So the questions have to do with water changes. I understand you should do 10-20% water changes. How to people go about doing this? First, is the sump water included in that calculation or is just the display? Also, I understand it isn't good to let corals get exposed to the air, but what if you have some toward the top of the tank? If you take out 15-20 gallons you could very well expose corals to the air.
Also, do you pull from the tank or the sump? If pulling from the sump it would be easier but I can't see getting a full 20% out of the sump because there wouldn't be enough in the sump even with the tank lowering as well to make up what was removed from the sump. Plus you wouldn't be vacuuming out any bad stuff from the tank.
Finally, where do people buy the large plastic containers for the pre-mix? I've been looking around for a 40-55g food safe container but haven't found anything locally. I can see wanting 2 of these as well (one a bit smaller) so you can have pre-mix ready and then having one for just the waist. Having a septic system I can't just pour the old water down the drain.
Sorry it is so long, thanks for your time!