If I cut back on water changes what do I need to dose?

happyhourhero · Nov 17, 2016

If I have a 65 gallon with a 20 gallon sump and I have been doing a 5 gallon water change every week. Do you think this has had much of an effect on my nutrient levels (nitrates, phosphates) and if I am dosing cal and alk and mag each day, does this 5 gallon water change benefit me much?

If I were to cut back on frequency of water changes, what would you suggest I dose to replenish whatever my weekly water changes has been replenishing? I use reef crystals as my salt.

Also, if my current regimen is working well, is it foolish to consider change?

Thanks in advance.

TheEngineer · Nov 17, 2016

If it ain't broke...

That said, I wouldn't dose anything unless you need it. Just keep testing your water and see how things come out.

Harris3005 · Nov 17, 2016

Yeah I reckon you've answered your own question[emoji6] Everyone's tank is different so don't change what is working for you! Others who know better than me might be able to correct me but I feel that there's no substitute for regular water changes even if you're dosing extra here and there as needed!

reeferfoxx · Nov 17, 2016

happyhourhero said:
If I have a 65 gallon with a 20 gallon sump and I have been doing a 5 gallon water change every week. Do you think this has had much of an effect on my nutrient levels (nitrates, phosphates) and if I am dosing cal and alk and mag each day, does this 5 gallon water change benefit me much?

I wouldn't change anything. You should be testing no and po for your answer. Otherwise wc are to remove excess metals and nutrients and to replenish trace elements.

tankstudy · Nov 17, 2016

happyhourhero said:
If I have a 65 gallon with a 20 gallon sump and I have been doing a 5 gallon water change every week. Do you think this has had much of an effect on my nutrient levels (nitrates, phosphates) and if I am dosing cal and alk and mag each day, does this 5 gallon water change benefit me much?

It kind of depends on your system. A 5 gallon water change is just 5.88% of your total water volume. If a 5 gallon water change consistently brings down your nitrates/phosphates, then its effective. If the 5 gallon change is not making a dent in the nitrates/phosphates and they continue to rise, then your 5 gallon water change is not sufficient.

happyhourhero said:
if I am dosing cal and alk and mag each day, does this 5 gallon water change benefit me much?

Depending on what type of calc/alk/mag products you use, the water change may replenish some trace elements that those dosing products may not have.

happyhourhero said:
Also, if my current regimen is working well, is it foolish to consider change?

If your water parameters are good and everything is happy at the moment, I'd just stick to the same plan. Over time though, as things grow, the consumption rates change so you'll have to adjust accordingly.

Downbeach · Nov 17, 2016

It's more than just a case of what needs to be replenished, it's also a matter of what needs to be removed.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/#14

happyhourhero · Nov 17, 2016

I should clarify...I do not test nitrates or phosphates at all and havent for over a year and have had the same routine since I set my tank up. I have a new baby and my time is increasingly taken up by things other than my reef so

I was wondering if you guys think if i stop the WC would my nutrients start to build up? Is the 5 gallons a week even doing anything to nutrients if I have them?

On the trace elements- Do you think my 5 gallons a week water change is replenishing anything enough anyway?

Here is my tank so you know where I am at.

happyhourhero · Nov 17, 2016

Downbeach said:
It's more than just a case of what needs to be replenished, it's also a matter of what needs to be removed.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/#14

Thanks for the link...reading up now.

reeferfoxx · Nov 17, 2016

There are ways to reduce wc's and keep nutrients down. Refugium, first comes to mind?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 17, 2016

Gorgeous tank. I absolutely LOVE the purple Monti

I've been wanting one of those for a while!

Wilsoni · Nov 17, 2016

Honestly consistency is key and your tank looks great so I see no reason to change anything.

Wilsoni · Nov 17, 2016

I just realized that your tank is a BB. You've done a great job at making it not look, for the lack of a better word - "sterile"

happyhourhero · Nov 17, 2016

AllSignsPointToFish said:
Gorgeous tank. I absolutely LOVE the purple Monti I've been wanting one of those for a while!

You are local to me if you are in gulf breeze. I can frag a piece sometime soon if you want one. Would rather trade for something than sell if you want.

happyhourhero · Nov 17, 2016

Wilsoni said:
I just realized that your tank is a BB. You've done a great job at making it not look, for the lack of a better word - "sterile"

Thank you! I am pretty much leaning to just keep doing what I always have been. I made a post on FB and here and pretty much all signs point to dont change just for the sake of change.

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 17, 2016

happyhourhero said:
You are local to me if you are in gulf breeze. I can frag a piece sometime soon if you want one. Would rather trade for something than sell if you want.

That would be awesome! I have a few frags myself and some acan colonies that I can't use long term (my flame angel won't leave them alone :/)

Zero Nitrates · Dec 23, 2016

A calcium reactor would replace Alk, Ca and trace elements. Beautiful reef by the way!

Rick.45cal · Dec 23, 2016

Your tank is gorgeous! I wouldn't change what you are doing to the tank, your results are proof. Maybe instead of changing what is done to the tank, change what YOU have to do. Setting up an auto water change system might be a good answer to give you extra time with the growing family and possibly get extra enjoyment out of your tank.

reefwiser · Dec 23, 2016

You would do fine if you follow the Triton method or the DSR method. Both these methods deal with measuring and adjusting for imbalance in your water chemistry with out water changes.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/glennfs-300-gallon-dsr-reef.138700/