62 water changes in I would venture to say you have been able to see if frequent water changes have positive, negative or neutral effects on your Eco System. What are you thoughts? Of course the coral have grown over that amount of time but is there a difference in growth and health compared to before you were doing weekly water changes?
Well, either that's a trick question or I have to give a trick anwer.
Before, I really wasn't doing water changes due to lack of time.
I'd get time to get the water into mixing, but then get interrupted. Sometimes I'd have water mixing for weeks... I'm not even sure I was getting them in monthly on average.
This way, I can get the whole water change done - from setup to cleanup - in about the same time I took me to transfer the water for mixing on a 20 gallon water change.
And yes, things have improved across the board. Some direct effects from the water changes as well as indirect improvements. I noted a few posts back that even my slow-growing, finicky Pavona has been shining bright and putting on noticeable growth. Also, while it is for short periods of time, my level of involvement has gone up just by being around the tank more frequently.
See post
#290.
As I mentioned earlier, I've seen folks use Reef Fillers for this - very similar setup, different style of pump.
Cool solution, but something that would have to be carefully budgeted for in my current economy where buckets and mixing paddles work really well.
"Easier" is on my agenda - it just may take some time before it gets easier than 5 gallons at a time!
-Matt
