basic water mess question

Hi there:

I'm new here and I'd like to ask some elementary questions. I promise I've read all the stickies and as much as possible before asking, so please be gentle..........

How do people cope with the general water mess when you have a big tank somewhere other than the basement? I'm new to SW, but have had lots of FW tanks. I always found it a struggle to not get water everywhere when you're doing a water change, maintenance with equipment etc. My tanks were in the bedrooms, front room, etc. So I'd like to ask how others deal with it. There's so much *more* equipment with a SW tank. Does anyone else have one in a front room?

thanks, frogdog

 

My 120 is in the living room and I don't have problems with spilling water at water change time. I have 2 heavy duty trash cans on wheels that are only for the aquarium. One i pump water into to throw out and I use the other with a pump to send the water back in to the tank. Is this what you are asking?

 

If you're in a house you can drill through your floor and put all of the plumbing in the basement. It would require a larger return pump, but it can also provide a heat sink so that you wouldn't have to run a chiller.

 

My tank is in the wall but when I plummed mine I plumed it with a valve that I can turn on and off. I use this valve to divert water out a hose rather then back in to the tank. This get's the water out.. As for the water in I have a trashcan that pumps water back in with a seperate pump.. My advice would be use big containers.. Use something way bigger then you need. Too often do people try to carry something to full. This creates splashing and other accidents.. get a big trash can with mine I mught fill it half full and that's about it..