Water changes

It's really dependent on your system needs but it also needs to be an interval you are comfortable sticking to. The more stable you can make any system the better, so smaller more frequent water changes can help. I have done every other month, once a month, and once a week before with ok results. Once a week definitely seemed to work best so that's what I have done for the past couple years. Instead of 60 gallons once a month I did 20 a week, didn't take as long so was easier and the tank did better. Win/win
 
Not necessarily. Water changes provide fresh and new nutrients for all livestock, which is essential for a healthy system. What size is your tank?

~Matt
 
the water change doesn't only take the bad stuff (nitrates/phosphates/silicates/etc) out, but it also puts some of the good stuff that has been used up (trace elements/etc) back. with enough filtration and proper dosing water changes become less necessary; but there are few cheaper or quicker methods to increase your water quality than replacing some of the old tank water with clean water made from a high quality salt mix.

i do ~10-20% weekly on my main, but i recycle it :) water from the main goes to the frag and quarantine tanks, and in the future to the FOWLER tank. the small tanks get vacuumed weekly, and the main tank monthly or as needed. the main tank could probably go much longer without a water change, as it has plenty of filtration that is working well, but the smaller tanks would still need frequent water changes, so might as well refresh the main tank while i am at it.
 
55 g rr with a 3" live sand. I bought the live sand from Petco. About 50 lbs live rock also. Looking at setting up a 180 but trying to plan everything to make it low maintenance as possible without neglecting livestock. Is there a cheaper way to do the sand bed? If I were to mix the live sand with regular sand would that work?


Jason
 
@Jason_b972 wrote:
If I were to mix the live sand with regular sand would that work? said:
Yes. A lot of people don't bother buying the live sand at all and just "borrow" a cup or two from an established tank to get the bacteria, etc, started.
Click to expand...
 
Some think I am crazy for it, but i do a 2.5 gallon change almost every day on my 110. I have gotten it down to about 3 minutes of my my morning routine and it is all done from the sump so the fish have no idea anything is happening. Feed the dogs, let the dogs out, change 2.5g water, let the dogs back in... It all happens while i am still half asleep and on auto pilot.
 
@Titus wrote:
Some think I am crazy for it said:
Not crazy, funny that you're still half asleep, lol.
I have the automatic water change system by SpectraPure. It changes 1 liter every 24 hours and it adds top off water too. It's only been about 10 days but have seen significant growth and stable water parameters with daily changes.

~Matt
Click to expand...
 
@Titus wrote:
Some think I am crazy for it said:
Someone on Reef2Reef is doing a 5 gallon per day water change and is going to document whether or not he gets better results then doing larger water changes once a week.

I've contemplated doing the same.
Click to expand...
 
I do 10-15% on both of my tanks weekly. As Titus said once you get in the rutine of doing a water change it goes fast. I can do a 20 gallon combined water change on both tanks in about 20 min. I plan on having a daily water changing system when we build our new house but right now I can not happen due to the location of both tanks.

Your original question has been answered a few times but to say again your tank will depend on how often you do a water change but more frequent is better. If I were you I would do twice a month until you get a decent amount of coral and fish in your system then I would go to weekly water changes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top