How I change water

[FishNe]

I got a message from a member earlier today, bless his heart, still using buckets. He found an old thread I'd responded to about water changes and asked for pics and an explanation of my process.

To be honest, I don't recall that thread, so I might've done things differently back then. I was working full-time and probably used pumps for everything. Since my back forced me into retirement, I've slowed down and do things a bit differently now. I've got more time to sit and "listen to the fish," as Pat would say.

These days, I still use the same 1" ID hose for draining, but instead of a strong transfer pump, I rely on suction and gravity. If the pics don't make sense, just ask and I'll elaborate. If gravity isn't on your side, a Wayne transfer pump works well, but it's pretty loud.

I used to have a strong inline pump hard-plumbed with 1" PVC and a fancy valve for each tank. Water would rush into those tanks like a river! Now, I use a sump pump with suction and gravity.

This part's easier to visualize than explain. I've got those huge 250-gallon containers for aging and heating water. They're full of tap water, which I use except for breeding. The containers are plumbed together – you can tell I did it myself, it's a bit sloppy. The blue 50-gallon barrel near the house is filled with tap water and aged. There's a sump pump in the other blue barrel with my RO, which I move to the tap water barrel when I need to change water in the grow-outs. When the water gets low, I use suction to get it flowing and fill the blue barrel while I go tank to tank.

I hope this makes more sense than mud. If not, maybe the pics will help. If not, please ask.

If I'd known back then that I'd prefer a slower water change process, I'd have set things up differently. But it'd still be messy – I know my DIY limits. Thankfully, I'm not a perfectionist. I just want something that works well for me, and this does.

[theGorilla]

Re: How I change water

Thanks Liz, I really appreciate the detailed explanation. Your system looks incredibly complex, I must admit. The original thread I had referenced was about installing a drip system and overflow for continuous water change, but I think your approach is more suitable for your setup.

I must say, I'm impressed by the creativity and resourcefulness you've shown in designing this system. I wouldn't be able to come up with something like that, nor would I need it for my small operation. I'm curious, how many tanks are you currently managing with this system?