Water Change - Rain

[76dragon]

Question: Since i have a few ponds outside, everytime it rains, is it considered a water change in you guys view. I think so. I usually change the water 2-3 times a week. Definately not 50-60% like the hard core keepers. I probably change 20-25% each time. I only clean the massive filter once every 2-3 months. Only when the water is not crystal clear without particles.

So the question, is rain considered a water change. Of course it depends on how much rain, but I am talking about a typical rain in the south.

PN

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Water Change - Rain

I would count it as long as it was a good amount of rain.....the only thing I would worry about though since you have trophs in there is the pH drop.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Water Change - Rain

pH would be my concern too, and I do not know where in Louisiana you live, but do they have acid rain or anything?

My large canisters I clean every 3 to 5 months depending on flow and how many suspended particles in the tank.

Waterchanges are most important I think.  The only problem I have seen, is that with large canisters, I have done 75% waterchange, and still have high nitrates.

Kinda frustrating at times, but man the media capacity and flowrate of those large canisters is SO NICE!!!

[76dragon]

Re: Water Change - Rain

I have some coral and crush coral in there as substrate. I pretty much don't dose much, just siphon water out and add water back in. Makes water changing much easier

If algae is an issue, I just turn on the uv lights and within a few days, the water is crystal clear again

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Water Change - Rain

I have found that if you do multiple large water changes the Nitrates will drop....also the algae growth sill soak up a bit of Nitrates if you run some decent lighting.

I am able to keep mine below 20ppms when I hit the water changes hard (2-3x 70% weekly) and below 40ppms (1-2x 70% weekly) when I get lazy. When I clean my canisters I hose everything off regardless of bacteria or not since I rely solely on my wet/dry for bio as well as the large amount of rocks I have in the tank.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Water Change - Rain

I run two canisters capable of supporting the tank so that I can hose and rinse everthing too on one of them, then the next month the one gets done.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Water Change - Rain

You at work? I thought you didn't have a computer?

[76dragon]

Re: Water Change - Rain

I'm not worried much about the algea, they grow on the large rocks in the pond and the Tropheus graze on them all day. I don't test the water much if at all . I have had Tropheus in the pond for 2 seasons now and they grow great. That is why I am not worried too much about the levels. I guess I am pretty lax when it comes to that. I usually only clean , vacuum the pond once I see alot of particles around. I have a porer head in there for additional water movement .

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Water Change - Rain

Still no computer at home.  I am at my Mom's on Vacation for the 4th here in Midland.  We are going camping in Carlsbad, New Mexico for the weekend, campout on the Pecos River, shoot fireworks, drink beer, eat campfire food, and go to the Caverns on Saturday.

Then back to Houston on Sunday night , but my fishes will be happy to see me.

[76dragon]

Re: Water Change - Rain

It's good to take a break, it's been a looooong week in the IT world over here and I have a feeling next week won't get any better. I have a  huge move next week of one of my large clients. They are moving their corporate offices

Have  a great and safe 4th everyone

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Water Change - Rain

If your pond has an overflow and the rainwater cause some of the old water to leave the pond and head for the nearest bayou THEN YOU HAVE A PARTIAL WATER CHANGE.

If you do not have an overflow and all you do is add makeup water to the closed system, it does not remove any of the nitrate build up or other polution.

Ever herd of the great salt lake or the dead sea ???

[76dragon]

Re: Water Change - Rain

I  have an over flow so that when the rain hits hard, the excess just drains to the garden. This has worked well for me. Not too much maintenance and it gives me a place to enjoy my Tropheus

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Water Change - Rain

Now all you need is a weekly rain dance and a periscope

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Water Change - Rain

that would be cool