Water changes

[Rlumenator]

155 gal. tank with an automatic water topper- if the water qual. is good, why water changes? What are the "signals" that I need a water change? How much and how often. The reason I ask, is that I have an aquar. prof. who comes in once a week, checks my water, and makes chem additions as needed. I've used him for (1) month, and he is yet to do a water change.He tells me that with the auto topper, frequent changes aren't necessary. What do you think??

 

[panmanmatt]

Water changes are the only way to really lower your nitrate levels. If your nitrates get over 15 it's time to do a change. i usually change 15-20% of my water weekly no matter what my trates test at.Keeps my fish and corals happy so i'll keep doing it.

 

[Rlumenator]

So, if nitrates are fine, why do the changes- I mean, you say it keeps everyone happy- what would happen if you stopped, and your nitrates were low?

 

[panmanmatt]

Doing water changes also plenishes alot of the important trace elemnts that get used up by your livestock without having to add chemicals to your tank.

 

[panmanmatt]

Dawn,

You've got pics

 

[Micah00]

First adding topoff water puts some trace elements back to your system. If you have a good skimmer that helps alot too. As far as additives IMO all you need is calcium and buffer. At first I did water changes 1x per month, I would be worried to death if I was a few days over due. But then I found I could strech it out to 2 months. I think it has been over 3 months ago when I did a WC on my 55. As long as you are not overstocked your system should become virtually maintainence free(other than topoff, calcium, buffer, cleaning front glass and occasional powerhead) with time. I do recomend with a new system doing the monthly thing and in time you can start doing them less.

As far as signals, once you get your system established and used to the patterns of your inhabitants. You will be able to tell when something isn't right.

 

[Anonymous]

Water changes are the only way to really lower your nitrate levels. If your nitrates get over 15 it's time to do a change. i usually change 15-20% of my water weekly no matter what my trates test at.Keeps my fish and corals happy so i'll keep doing it.

Nitrate will be taken up by algae and/or plants. I rarely have to do any water changes. My Nitrates are checked every two weeks......if they remain 0...... I do not do a water change. I think water changes should only be done when necessary....but you must check your water parameters frequently and closely observe your animals for any signs of stress. I know some people that never do a water change. I also know people that never even test the water.

 

[Anonymous]

For people who is still new to the hobby, you should do tried-and-true methods like doing water change instead being lazy and trying to get away with both water testing and water change.

If we are in the hobby for awhile, we can discuss how to "hack" it, but when we give advice to people who are relatively new, we need to be more aware of their background.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with david...Im pretty new at the reef thing myself..9months...and Its cool to get the information on cutting corners but on a reef that isnt established yet it isnt wise IMO to be relying on Macroalgaes...I guess when in doubt ever...Water change...


8)


P.S. I do a water change weekly and keep a log on my nitrates, calcium, ph,nitrites, and ammonia...

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with david...Im pretty new at the reef thing myself..9months...and Its cool to get the information on cutting corners but on a reef that isnt established yet it isnt wise IMO to be relying on Macroalgaes...I guess when in doubt ever...Water change...


8)


P.S. I do a water change weekly and keep a log on my nitrates, calcium, ph,nitrites, and ammonia...

Well put!

 

[mountainbiker619]

I do 15 gallons every two weeks in my 60. Seems to be the only time I get to enjoy seeing my sun polyps open up is after a water change.

 

[Garry thomas]

It would be easier, if i new , if it is a fish only set up or a reef?

 

[hillbilly]

I change 20gals. in my 200gal. once every 2 weeks.
Good insurance. Replaces trace elements.

 

[kparton]

This is the second time I have set up my 50G. Last time, I had a closed top system that made water changes a pain. I also didn't have my own RO/DI unit so I was driving 45 minutes to the fish store and buying the water. Needless to say, water changed were infrequent. I had major algae problems.

I have just restarted my tank with an open top (MH pendants), my own ROI/DI unit, and a better skimmer. I do water changes every 2 weeks of at least 5 gallons. I have had major hair algae from my cycle, and I have just started with my cyano. I personally believe these water changes have made the algae go away much more quickly. I plan to continue the water changes throughout the life of the system.

 

[Rlumenator]

I don't have a hair algae problem in my reef system. Our city water is treated through RO, plus we have a RO unit on the system. I asked my maint. man once again this week about the water change, he said each tank is diff., and that I don't neeed one yet. This is very confusing. Some people apparently rarely do changes, and others do religiously. I have added some mushrooms,(I need to get an ID book, as I don't know what kinds they are) One type is quite big, and looks variegated in color. I also bought a leather finger coral.

 

[Anonymous]

I just use my well water and have had no problems but I don't keep corals either. I do have a few mushrooms. Yep.....its easy to get a bit frustrated and confused when so many people seem to be doing different things. I don't think anyone should have any serious problems if they stick to the "Basic" techniques used to keep up a marine tank. Most every publication I read insists on doing regular water changes to keep Nitrates down. I am not going to tell people not to do water changes.....especially new people. However my tanks seem to be "happy" without doing regular water changes. The only new water is from topoffs. This works for me.....and others too. When I kept African Cichlids I rarely did water changes. They bred for years in those tanks and some of the fry usually became adults. I did have a "healthy" supply of algae in those tanks that took up the Nitrates. My Nitrates usually read 0. If you have a tank without enough algae to take up your Nitrates you must do regular water changes. Blah blah Blah.......I can't sleep tonight so I thought I post this. Well......I hope I did not confuse anyone or make anyone dumber by posting this. :lol:

 

[kparton]

Dawn,

You should definitely go with what's working for you. I do water changes because I know they're not hurting the system and it gives me a chance to get rid of the nuisance algae (my tank is still at the end of its algae cycles that come with many cycling tanks). It also keeps up the trace elements and ensures that water of the correct pH and salinity is always being added. I have noticed that with heavy skimming and just topping off, my salinity slowly decreases over time.

People will give you tons of advice, but in my short time playing with these tanks, its clear that you will still have a trial and error period. Since you're paying someone to take care of your tank, I'd let them make that decision. They should be testing and doing all that work for you. I don't think the majority of the people on this board think that they're more "right" than anyone else, it's just all anecdotal evidence of what worked for them.

 

[Anonymous]

Well said.....makes me think of all the LFS people that have told me of the "only way" or the "right way" to set up. If you follow the basics and have a pretty good idea how water chemistry can change in the aquarium and how to "fix" it......you should be ok. Sooner or later you must do waterchanges.

 

[DOGMAI]

I myself did not find this web site till I had my tank up for about 9 months. I made all my decisions about how my tank should be and when to do water changes based on what they told me at the LFS. I guess I just got lucky because I have never had an algae bloom. I ran my tank for 6 months before I even put a skimmer on it. My tank is a 46 Bow Front and I have trained myself to do a 5 gallon water change a week. I have a lot of macro algae growing in the tank and a lot of corals. My tank is very overstocked to say the least, and I have not checked the nitrates and all that junk in about 2 or 3 months. I would be willing to bet that all the tests would come out fine because I do the water changes, and because of the macro algae. It all comes down to what you want to do. Just read, read, read and then read some more. The more you know will help you make the decision that you want to make. I would also stop paying somebody to take care of your tank. To me that is half the fun. Making your own decisions is way more rewarding than paying somebody to make their own decisions about YOUR tank. IMO.

Good Luck,
Shane

 

[Rlumenator]

Why I am paying someone to check my tank. We built a new house with the aquar. being the main point between the kitchen and dining room- a see through from both sides. The cabinets were custom built with the guy from the lfs being integrally involved. There was an AC duct built in the top, and we were told we shouln't need a chiller, but perhaps now I do.He has been involved in many large set ups. He sold us over $4000 worth of goods, and set it up. When it was ready to accept fish, in July,we purchased a regal tang, and two gobies. They went into my 20 gal. quar. tank which had been up and running with two damsels since Oct. The lfs also sold me this tank and told me what to put in it. Lava rock, live sand, and plants. The tang and gobies were in the tank for about two weeks when the tang looked like it had ich, but I wasn't sure. The lfs gave me some copper, and told me how to use it. The tang raced to the surface and gulped for air. We blew bubbles in the tank through a tube, and he stayed in the middle of the stream. We now have an air stone.The tang got worse, the next two days it laid on the bottom- my lfs would not come to help me now that they had their money, and told me not to worry, it just takes time. There were red streaks in his tail. I called my vet to see if there was a marine vet in the area, and was surprised to find that the vet we'd gone to for 20 years had some knowledge of this (he had raised cichlids) When we brought the tang in, we were told it was a long shot. He anesthetized him, did scrapings,biopsies,and a shot of antibiotics. The bill for the $45.00 fish was $65.00. Our vet told us to dump the sand, boil, or get rid of everything in the tank. I syphoned 20 gallons out of the reef tank for the quar. tank, ( I had no large container so it was done a bucket at a time)and got new filter sponges.
The next two days were extremely stressful, wondering if the tang would survive. He slowly started going vertical. Despite doing 20% water changes everyday, the tank developed ammonia (the filters were new) It was about this time that I hired someone to help before I went bezerk. We were going away for the next couple of days, and we were advised to put him in the reef tank. Toiday his body is repaired, and he's a happy camper. We trusted the lfs, who left us stranded. Now, I have someone come in once a week to check everything- puts in things like iodine, etc.