What to do with a new "Brute"?

[mtamorrow]

At the club meeting yesterday, I heard several good stories about doing 100% water change every 3 months vs weekly (I do 20% every week or 2 weeks). I only have a 30 gallon so its not a big deal. Anyway, I'm going to pick up a 32 gallon Brute so I can do 100% change. Besides a good soap and water wash and a rinse, is there anything else I should do before mixing up 30 gallons and having in there for 24 - 36 hours?

Thanks as always.

[lazylivin]

If you are going to do large water change these three parameters are most important to match that of your tank water. Temperature, Salinity and Alk. Selecting a salt brand that mixes to the same you keep your tank makes things easier. Don't assume your Alk is the same with every batch of salt. Even if it is the same brand or even from same box/bucket. Test and adjust to match within .5 DKH.
I like to do large changes, guessing it comes to about 80%. It is a nice course correction every three months. I have trouble with aluminum in tank with so many ceramic frag plugs. The large changes do a good job keeping that in check. Good luck.

[mtamorrow]

If you are going to do large water change these three parameters are most important to match that of your tank water. Temperature, Salinity and Alk. Selecting a salt brand that mixes to the same you keep your tank makes things easier. Don't assume your Alk is the same with every batch of salt. Even if it is the same brand or even from same box/bucket. Test and adjust to match within .5 DKH.
I like to do large changes, guessing it comes to about 80%. It is a nice course correction every three months. I have trouble with aluminum in tank with so many ceramic frag plugs. The large changes do a good job keeping that in check. Good luck.

Thanks Brian. I will be sure to match all 3......I didn't think ALK was that important to match that close. BTW, I rescaped some of my tank and created a bit of
 "boring space".  I will come see you soon to make those dull spots look better!

[muttley000]

I like to,scrub them out with a paste of baking soda.  Read somewhere it was a good idea to clean anything left from manufacturing and have done so since.  Don't know if it really helped but didn't have any problems!

[mtamorrow]

I like to,scrub them out with a paste of baking soda.  Read somewhere it was a good idea to clean anything left from manufacturing and have done so since.  Don't know if it really helped but didn't have any problems!

Thanks muttley. I may just do that to avoid any issues. I've been in plastics before and sometimes they use release agents to get the part off the mold easier. I'm kinda fussing these are relatively clean as they are approved for the food industry


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