Fluval five gallon water changes

[calebsmith7]

So I plan to by a fluval five gallon tank soon but I don’t know what I should do for the weekly water changes, would anyone with a small tank such as this one give me some advice?

 

[jabberwock]

Experienced reefer told me to do daily red cup water changes. Very simple, moves the same volume of water if not more over the same period of time without a lot of fuss. Brush your teeth, scoop a red cup, add a red cup...

I did not do the 5 gallon, so I have not tried it, but it makes sense.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Check your messages. You changed your mind? I definitely recommend a higher volume if you can. But a 5 gallon tank would be like a 1 gallon or less water change weekly which is around 20%.

 

[Screwgunner]

Let's see a 20% is recommended that is 1 gallon in 14 days so yes a cup a day with a neon goby.

 

[calebsmith7]

For the cup a day thing, I would take out one cup of water from my tank, and add a cup of new Saltwater. I would probably be using a bucket of saltwater from my local pet store. So would I get the new cup of water from that bucket?

 

[Screwgunner]

Yes please , may I have another

 

[reaper93]

I do weekly 1g wc on my fluval evo 5. Obviously sometimes I miss a week here and there but that's what I try to go by

 

[calebsmith7]

So, the new cup does come

I do weekly 1g wc on my fluval evo 5. Obviously sometimes I miss a week here and there but that's what I try to go by

so how exactly do you do that, do you pump a gallon out and pour another in?

 

[calebsmith7]

And for the red solo cup strategy, I use a new cup of water from my store bought bucket every night?

 

[Screwgunner]

20% a week is over kill in my opinion. That is alitte over 2 cups a day . Start with one cup a day if your nitrates and phosphate go to high go to 2 cups a day . Your goal is .03 to .05 phosphates and 5 to 10 nitrates . I would not worry about anything else except salinity 1.026

 

[reefah]

Personally I do not think weekly water changes are necessary. If your parameters are on check you are good. If the sand bed gets filthy than it means you’re over feeding or something is off. As long as parameters are stable, water changes are not necessary imo.

 

[Screwgunner]

If you do not do a water change in two weeks your alkalinity will drop if you have coral in your tank. Then when you change your water your alkalinity shoots up and you wonder why your new coral just died. Stability is key small water changes are better than large. Especially in a small tank.

 

[reaper93]

So, the new cup does come

so how exactly do you do that, do you pump a gallon out and pour another in?

I use a gallon jug to measure and pour

 

[las]

If you do not do a water change in two weeks your alkalinity will drop if you have coral in your tank. Then when you change your water your alkalinity shoots up and you wonder why your new coral just died. Stability is key small water changes are better than large. Especially in a small tank.

Could not agree more. I have a 10 gal nano. I do daily 5% water changes. Super easy. Healthiest tank I’ve ever had.