Frequency of water changes 225g?

[frankieg2293]

So I have a 225 gal and i was wondering can I hold off on water changes as long as parameters stay in good standing? I normally do a 44g change the first of every month…. But this last month I skipped and everything so far hasn’t changed at all…. Any input? Much appreciated!

 

[pshootr]

So I have a 225 gal and i was wondering can I hold off on water changes as long as parameters stay in good standing? I normally do a 44g change the first of every month…. But this last month I skipped and everything so far hasn’t changed at all…. Any input? Much appreciated!

What are the inhabitants of your tank? Which perimeters are you testing?

Also how long is this tank been up?

 

[frankieg2293]

What are the inhabitants of your tank? Which perimeters are you testing?

Mostly in the tank I have 15 fish mostly lps and softies. A few sps

parameters: are all normal except for phos but I have always struggled with that phos is .12 ppm

 

[frankieg2293]

Mostly in the tank I have 15 fish mostly lps and softies. A few sps

parameters: are all normal except for phos but I have always struggled with that phos is .12 ppm

The Tank has been up and running for 12 months.

 

[Uncle99]

So I have a 225 gal and i was wondering can I hold off on water changes as long as parameters stay in good standing? I normally do a 44g change the first of every month…. But this last month I skipped and everything so far hasn’t changed at all…. Any input? Much appreciated!

Absolutely you can. I use water changes only when my nutrients rise. While my nitrate and phosphate stays solid, I change nothing. It’s been 4 months since my last 10% change.

 

[frankieg2293]

I have been doing water changes. Once a month religiously. I just feel like I’m waiting money with salt and water making RO

 

[MrGisonni]

It really depends on what your critters are consuming and how quickly. Alk, calcium and Mg are readily taken up with coral growth, trace elements also. Monthly should be fine. Test to confirm

 

[frankieg2293]

It really depends on what your critters are consuming and how quickly. Alk, calcium and Mg are readily taken up with coral growth, trace elements also. Monthly should be fine. Test to confirm

I’m thinking more once every 2 months 25%

 

[frankieg2293]

I’m thinking more once every 2 months 25%

How do I test trace elements, like what are they I use the Red Sea blue bucket. I know they have good trace elements in there just don’t know what they are.. lol

 

[MrGisonni]

The no water change folks are dosing for sure. I am somewhere in between 10% every 2 weeks and minor 1 part dosing with All for Reef daily to keep stability. I get natural seawater delivered. I keep a 65 gallon jug for water changes

 

[MrGisonni]

How do I test trace elements, like what are they I use the Red Sea blue bucket. I know they have good trace elements in there just don’t know what they are.. lol

Maybe worth getting an Icp test to know for sure. But if everything looks good you can probably assume you're really not deficient in any area. The most important things to test are the big three alkalinity calcium and magnesium

 

[pshootr]

The Tank has been up and running for 12 months.

As mentioned already, you will have to test in order to determine how it affects your alkalinity calcium and pH. It's not just about export. It is also about importing what is consumed by the tank.

 

[Uncle99]

I have been doing water changes. Once a month religiously. I just feel like I’m waiting money with salt and water making RO

You are.
Salt companies love it.
I did weekly water changes of 10% for a year until my system stabilized, then only if I need to knock down nitrates and phosphate, otherwise just RODI top off and some trace elements. Last water change 4 months ago, 6 before that.

 

[gbroadbridge]

So I have a 225 gal and i was wondering can I hold off on water changes as long as parameters stay in good standing? I normally do a 44g change the first of every month…. But this last month I skipped and everything so far hasn’t changed at all…. Any input? Much appreciated!

Every tank is different, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

I switched from weekly to 3 monthly water changes a year ago and the tank is fine.
It's also established and has a lot of automation.

Before each 3 monthly change I do an ICP, so I'm not saving money at all - it's just convenience as I travel a lot.

 

[bushdoc]

So I have a 225 gal and i was wondering can I hold off on water changes as long as parameters stay in good standing? I normally do a 44g change the first of every month…. But this last month I skipped and everything so far hasn’t changed at all…. Any input? Much appreciated!

You have two issues with not doing water changes and both can be addressed or ameliorated.
One is accumulation of nutrients and this can be addressed by nutrient export, Chaeto, activated carbon, mechanical filters etc.
Second issue is imbalance of elements in saltwater and this issue arises mostly if you are regularly dosing two part and in large amounts. Basically your saltwater is slowly becoming a brine solution, because when you dose 2 part you are basically also dosing or creating access of NaCl. This can be prevented if you use Balling method. You still need trace elements, those you can dose, but you need to now hum much, hence Triton method and ICP testing.
Or you can just do water changes, but how often it depends on many things, including your 2 part dosing amount and how much your corals are consuming.

 

[blaxsun]

Absolutely you can. I use water changes only when my nutrients rise. While my nitrate and phosphate stays solid, I change nothing. It’s been 4 months since my last 10% change.

I haven't done any in 20 months. 50 fish, everyone's peachy.