???Water Changes???

[Haro]

I've read and herd all sorts of opinions on how often and how much water I should change out. But i'm not sure why I should. I have a 26 gallon tank that has been runing with live rock for about a month and my ph, amonia, nitrite, salenty and temp have all been at the correct levels (salt @ 1.022 -1.023 amonia and nitrite 0-.25, temp a steamy 76-78 and my ph at a rock steady 7.8 ), my question is why I would change out the water if my indicaters are fine and what your opionions are about how often and how much water to replace...

I also have a filter but no skimmer yet and a 65watt smartlamp

sorry for the horable spelling

 

[danmhippo]

There are far too many ions in your tank water that cannot be accurately tested. To correct any imbalances, or to dilute accumulated organic compounds, water change is the easiest route to take. Your tank has only been running a month, I'd suppose you haven't started adding fish and feeding them yet (I hope you haven't.....). Once you start stocking your aquarium, accumulation of the organics will easily skyrocket.

BTW, making waterchange in the tank that size couldn't be as back breaking as those tanks 75G and above. Get a skimmer if you can afford, it will lengthen period between water changes.........sort of.....

 

[Haro]

ok, that makes sense... so how much and how often?

 

[danmhippo]

For established matured tanks, 15-20% monthly should be enough. For new setups, more is needed per month, and is best be broken down into 2-3 changes. There comes the time for many of the new setups that multiple massive water changes are needed to lower the NO3 as the tank matures (ie, during cynobacteria or hair algae bloom......)

 

[Tremelle]

I know you were concerned with water changes, but you should also take a look at your ph. It is lower than the suggested level. The suggested level is 8.3. You may want to consider raising it before you add any livestock in the future.

 

[Haro]

Great info thanks guys.