Water Change from DT or Sump?

[katcon]

When you do your water change do you take the water from your DT or Sump tank?

[Toddrtrex]

Since I have shallow sandbeds in all 3 of my tanks, and gravel vac them, I change from the DT.

But, if you are just pulling out the water, it won't matter -- do whatever is easiest for you.

[katcon]

Should the sand beds be left alone during water changes. I recall reading somewhere not to mess with them to much.

[sage_commander]

I usually don't mess too much with the sand bed other than blasting the top layer with a turkey baster once in a while.

I used to pull water from the sump for water changes, but it's kind of a pain to get my skimmer going again after I do that. So now I just take it from the display. Either way is good, though.

[gweston]

For basement sumps, changing in the basement can be less problematic for dealing with spills. But I guess it all depends on how much of volume you are changing and how accessible the sump is (if under the tank).

I actually use a siphon contraption and flex hose used for home beer brewing (check your local brew supply shop if you have one). Pump it a few times and it starts a gravity siphon. Taking water out.. from the DT to a bucket on the floor works.

For putting water back in... getting a bucket higher than the DT for grav siphon may be a pain. But could just siphon down into the sump, then pump it back up to the DT. Even better if your sump can handle the replacement water without overflowing. Siphon it all in.. then turn the return pump on.

[spw4949]

Should the sand beds be left alone during water changes. I recall reading somewhere not to mess with them to much.

It depends, if you have a DSB(deep sand bed) then you don't want to disturb iy by gravel vacuuming, if it's a shallow sand bed then you can vac it.......

[Toddrtrex]

Should the sand beds be left alone during water changes. I recall reading somewhere not to mess with them to much.

It depends, if you have a DSB(deep sand bed) then you don't want to disturb iy by gravel vacuuming, if it's a shallow sand bed then you can vac it.......

Yep. Shallow are fine, but shouldn't touch a deep sandbed.

All of my "shallow" sandbeds are around 2 inches --- for looks and my sand dwelling anemones.

[jason71832]

And most are considered to be DSB once you get around the 5" depth.