Changing water

J

Jim

Premium Member
I just got an email from Marine Depot and they had an article/video regarding water changes. They recommend 10-15% every 1-2 weeks as oppose to what many do -- 20 -25% once a month.
How often and how much do you change?

They also has a statement:

"Fill the container with dechlorinated or reverse osmosis (RO) freshwater. It’s a good idea to aerate RO water for 12-24 hours before mixing in the salt. This will drive off excess CO2 which ensures a proper pH and buffering capacity in the synthetic seawater."

I dont normally wait 12-24 hours before adding salt (is this true if you are using RO/DI, or is it different). After this wait, they recommend mixing it for 24 hours prior to using it. I thought as long as the salt was fully mixed, it should be ok to use. But, I make sure salinity and temp match prior to using it. BUT, I have to admit, I generally wait cause I run out of time to use it immediately.
 
I think that your going to get 50 different answers from 50 different people.

IMO;
1) do you do water changes to lower waste? (then it should be done 1-2 weeks in small doses, so as to not "shock the corals")
2) do you have 0 waste, and your only doing water changes to "Replenish" certain "good things" such as trace elements or ca/alk/mag? (then you can go way longer some people do 10% water changes 1-2 months).

I do 10% every month, because I have no detectable waste whatsoever, so I just do it slightly to put everything in balance... Again that's just me and your going to get a different answer from someone else. As far as water goes, I actually use tap water- but i do have it in a 30 gallon container standing still aerating all month prior to a water change. I have all kinds of SPS, LPS, and even softies. Again, as with RO/DI usage, i think your going to get A TON of responses.
 
That is the purpose -- to get opinions and practices. Not sure there is a right or wrong answer.
 
Check out this article and use it to make your decision...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php
 
I just pump out half the water twice a month. Then stick a garden hose in tank and fill almost full then dump in about much salt as i think it needs [smilie=lol.gif]

Seriously, i change out about 5 gallons a week on my 75 gal. Ocasionally 10-15 if i was lazy the week before
 
@Saltpro wrote:
I just pump out half the water twice a month. Then stick a garden hose in tank and fill almost full then dump in about much salt as i think it needs [smilie=lol.gif] Seriously said:
+1. I have a 70 and use the same.
Click to expand...
 
Jim, I don't think many people change 25% once a month, its not healthy for the corals to have such a large volume of new water. I always do no more then 10%, generally once a week. If something does go wrong in the tank, then 25% water change may be justified.
 
for me its just alot easier to change a smaller amount per week than a larger amount at one time per month. Plus this way i think it keeps me more in a routine. My tanks not that big at 75 gallons so weekly only takes me only 5 minutes. I can see where a large tank would be harder and might be easier to do just once a month
 
My total water volume is about 160g and I can change as much as 30g a week without problems. At least I have not seen any adverse affects by changing more than the average % of water.
 
I change 50 gallons in a 200 gallon tank about every month and then another 50 gallons the following week, then wait a month and do the same. I do however siphon out the water at the same time I am pumping the new water into the sump so this is not a true 50 gallon water change, as there is some mixing of the new and old before it gets completed. This way makes me less concerned about the precise duplication of the salinity, temperature, or Ph between what is in the tank and the new water. I do though leave the new water mixing for about 4-5 days before I do the water changes. Years ago I read somewhere that though you could in extreme circumstances use new water that had been mixed till you saw no salt granules in the new batch, it was less of a shock for the tank that the salt mixed for several days before the change.
 
Well I just perform a water change every now and then. Its noghting that I plan, but if I feel the water is getting mucky or something I will peform a 12% water change. I usually start my RO DI and once it makes enough to where I can plug up my pump and heater in the trash can I plug them in and put all the salt in there for the whole container. When the trash can is full, I simple check the parms and immediately perform the water change.

With my aquarium there is always a reason here and there to change out a bit of water say 2-5 gallons due to skimming, salinity balance, etc.
 
@Rick wrote:
I change 50 gallons in a 200 gallon tank about every month and then another 50 gallons the following week said:
So basically your changing 100 gallons a month give or take a few days. Do you feel like thats enough to keep your tank clean? Is it easier to do it in larger percentages then a lesser amount on a weekly basis. Im sure your tank is awesome, just asking as i havent had a tank as large. Largest for me was 135
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I know lot or reefer's say its better to change a larger amount once a month becuase you get out more wastes(whatever you call it). I say it wont be that bad at end of month if you keep changing every week. It probably just equals the same is what im trying to say, as long as your changing the same over all pecentage of new water. I know i have read all the articles for and against. Might be more stable to change weekly to keep things from going out of balance, trace elements...might save on having to buy expensive snake oils to add and waste your money on. Except for vodka...cause we all need that even our fish and corals .....Guess thats why were all reefaholic's
 
I do not add any snake oils to the tank, including wasting vodka on the fish. I do have to supplement calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium above what I get from the salt mix and the calcium reactor. Because of the fact I siphon out the waste water, while simultaneously pumping in the new water, I probably am getting about a 80 gallon water change once a month. I just think changing out 10-20% weekly is really a waste of time. It takes me just a little longer to mess with the water changes I do once a month than if was to do less every week. And I do not want to mess with water changes every week.
 
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