Saltwater Aquariums - Water Changes

It's a good idea to change some of the water in your saltwater aquarium on a regular basis, such as weekly.  It helps keep the water clean and it helps the pH balance to remain stable.  With reef tanks or live rock, the frequency of water changes will be reduced.  Here are a couple methods:

The Bucket

• Mix a container full of saltwater and let is stand a couple days.

• Ensure the tank is topped up with freshwater to replace natural evaporation.

• Clean the sand with a small gravel vacuum by siphoning into a second empty bucket.  Do this until the a second container of equal volume is nearly full and then discard the water.  You can buy gravel vacuums at most pet stores or Walmart.  It helps if you have a manual siphon pump to get things going.

• Next pour the new water directly into the tank in an amount equal to that removed.  No need to worry about the temperature as long as it was stored at room temperature.

• To finish up, refill the container you use for the clean saltwater, in preparation for the next change.

The Python

The Python is made by Python Products and is a very popular method for performing water changes.  It uses tubing and an adapter to your water faucets, which allows you to add or remove water from your tank with very little spillage.  Use it to remove water first and then to add an equal volume.  After the saltwater mix is made, the Python can be used in combination with a powerhead to pump saltwater into your tank.  The Python is available through many retail and online stores.  Here's a quote from their website: "Python no spill clean and fill is a complete ready to use system which adapts easily to most faucets and makes water changes a breeze. It drains as well as fills aquariums. For saltwater, fill a container next to the aquarium to prepare the salt mix. When prepared, use the python to clean the tank, then use a pump or powerhead to fill the aquarium. Python no spill clean and fill system includes the following supplies: hose, gravel tube, switch, hose connectors, faucet pump, and faucet adapter."

Seachem Prime is commonly used during water replacement as it provides a number of benefits.  The frequency with which you change the water will be determined by the number of fish and also the look of the water.  If it is cloudy from over feeding or from adding too many fish, make sure you've read the section on Ammonia.

It's a good practice to rinse your hands before cleaning your aquarium.  This will prevent chemicals from being introduced to the tank from your hands.

Replacing Evaporated Water - When topping up a tank for evaporation you should use freshwater.  The reason is that evaporation leaves the salt behind and adding prepared saltwater would then increase the specific gravity too much.

Tropical fish and aquarium information about saltwater species, fish care, fish facts, compatibility and aquarium maintenance.