Water change question

thecitadel

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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

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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? :)
 
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thecitadel

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

 

Gtinnel

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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
 
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thecitadel

thecitadel

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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

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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 :star-struck:
 

CasperOe

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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
 
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thecitadel

thecitadel

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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

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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

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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

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

Randy Holmes-Farley

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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

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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
 

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