Infrequent or no water changes - at one point does one considering implementing this?

[ReefWithCare]

I have been hearing a lot of reefers talk about going more than a year without water changes on mixed reef tanks. When does one consider this? I figure around the year or year 2 mark is when one would consider.

Right I’m think bimonthly water changes until I hit the year mark. I’m planning a mostly LPS tank and I have a skimmer and algae scrubber for my filtration. I still have my water changing station ready for quick changing [emoji3].

 

[hijinks7]

I started out with 0 water changes and I now do a ICP test every 3-4 months to make sure things aren't off. I did it just because i hate water changes not for a cost savings. In fact, with ICP tests and trace element dosings I think its more expensive going 0 water change route for me on my 120g.

 

[ReefWithCare]

I started out with 0 water changes and I now do a ICP test every 3-4 months to make sure things aren't off. I did it just because i hate water changes not for a cost savings. In fact, with ICP tests and trace element dosings I think its more expensive going 0 water change route for me on my 120g.

Ya I have a 125G. I was weighing the time saving vs expense.

 

[hijinks7]

for me the time savings out weighs the cost savings as I just want a nice looking tank that I don't need to put much work into.

 

[User1]

I have been hearing a lot of reefers talk about going more than a year without water changes on mixed reef tanks. When does one consider this? I figure around the year or year 2 mark is when one would consider.

Right I’m think bimonthly water changes until I hit the year mark. I’m planning a mostly LPS tank and I have a skimmer and algae scrubber for my filtration. I still have my water changing station ready for quick changing [emoji3].

As to when...it will vary depending on individuals tank and husbandry skills. Nothing is free and someone always has to pay. So if you go the route of not doing water changes then something else has to be paid to compensate. One can't just say no, not going to do any more water changes while the system builds up x, y, and z things without exporting or replenishing what is consumed element wise.

I personally believe additive or supplement dosing is the right direction but also know it isn't the only way to do things.

 

[Alfrareef]

Look at the DSR method. You don’t make water changes, but you do a lot of testing...
When I had a LPS tank I use to do fewer water changes that with the acro tank, but I still don’t believe I was doing the right thing.

 

[HB AL]

Im on 6 months no water changes, mixed reef, tons of fish and corals, no issues so far. Its kinda turned into an experiment for me as im not following any official program.

 

[ReefWithCare]

Look at the DSR method. You don’t make water changes, but you do a lot of testing...
When I had a LPS tank I use to do fewer water changes that with the acro tank, but I still don’t believe I was doing the right thing.

All the juicy info is in German. Is there a tl;dr version?

It sounds like not doing water changing and supplementation via dosing which makes sense.

 

[User1]

All the juicy info is in German. Is there a tl;dr version?

It sounds like not doing water changing and supplementation via dosing which makes sense.

Use a plug-in to translate. That is what I did this weekend.

 

[Reefin Dude]

if one thinks that the point of water changes is: the solution to pollution is dilution. than water changes are not doing much good anyway, so not doing water changes is not going to change things. the system is relying on the largest nutrient sink for masking eutrophication. eventually one will need to pay the piper.

if one thinks the point of doing water changes is to remove the sources of eutrophication, than one needs to maintain doing water changes to keep eutrophication in check.

G~

 

[Alfrareef]

if one thinks that the point of water changes is: the solution to pollution is dilution. than water changes are not doing much good anyway, so not doing water changes is not going to change things. the system is relying on the largest nutrient sink for masking eutrophication. eventually one will need to pay the piper.

if one thinks the point of doing water changes is to remove the sources of eutrophication, than one needs to maintain doing water changes to keep eutrophication in check.

G~

What’s eutrophication?

 

[Reefin Dude]

the 800lb (kg) gorilla living in a substrate/refugium/ATS.

Eutrophication- the build up of nutrients in a system that lead to growth of algae.

G~