Water changes the easy way
by
, 04-03-2014 at 06:31 PM (2906 Views)
Granted you have to plan your method in advance, but once it is set up, you can do a simple task quite easily without even getting your hands wet. The first thing you need to do is install a floor drain.
I turn off the skimmer, return pump, top off, and manifold pump. I also power off the heaters (via the Apex App) to avoid cracking them if they were to attempt to cycle on when exposed to air. The tubing is inserted into a small deflector box to keep the water flowing into the french drain and not across the concrete flooring. I don't have to hold it there and can do other things while it flows out.
Once the two zones are drained, I refill the sump with 50g of saltwater from the saltwater storage tank. It was within 1 degree of the tank temperature. Once full, I close the feed valve, turn on all the equipment and heaters and adjust the ball valves as necessary. Finally I put everything away so I don't have to trip over anything in the fishroom until the next time. I do water changes every 6 weeks or so.