Large or Small Water Changes?

[Reef Pets]

Just wondering if there are any scientific benefits to doing small or large water changes. For example, is it better to do a 5 gallon water change per day or a 35 galon water change per week?

I have always done large water changes every two weeks or so but it would be easier to do them daily or every other day in smaller amounts.

 

[Fishcrazy06]

I have heard that the more frequent smaller changes the better. The reason being is the trace elements that are found in the newly mixed saltwater. I would like to do a continuous water change but need to get things all setup the way I want them before implementing that.

 

[macawmagic]

I'm no scientist, but would imagine that smaller more frequent changes would be better as there would be a lot less shock factor of adding new water. I mean odds are the water is not the exact same which means there should be a little shock. Just my thoughts.

I still will do a 30ish gallon change every 2-4 weeks.

 

[Ike]

I like larger water changes for dilution purposes. If the water is allowed to mix properly until all the salt is fully dissolved and PH stabilizes very large water changes can be done with almost no visible stress in corals/fish.

 

[rock_lobster]

Yea I agree with smaller more frequent water changes being better because of the stability but who has time to do a water change every week.

 

[Mavjoy]

Yea I agree with smaller more frequent water changes being better because of the stability but who has time to do a water change every week.

I do:bigsmile:, 5 gallons every week for my 34 gallon tank. I'm planning on doing 10 gallons every 2-3 weeks for my 57 'cause of the size and much better skimmer.

 

[Corigan]

I do a water change every week like clock work. I change 15g every Saturday on my 70g with 30g sump/fuge. I make up the water Thursday (just finished), mix the salt Fridays, and then change Saturday.

I have always been told and read it's better to do many small water changes instead of a big large one but I really have no scientific evidence why. I have always thought it was for less shock on the system, trace elements from the new salt was introduced more quickly, and that it gives less time for nitrates/phosphates to possibly build up between the changes.

 

[Srixon]

I am of the belief of smaller more frequent water changes than fewer large changes. I put it on the same scale of switching brands of salt.....small changes to prevent shocking the system. I am no scientist either just speaking from experience.

 

[coralfarm123]

Larger water changes will reduce the bad things that build up in our tanks much better than small water changes.

 

[chalicelvr]

I dont have the time to do weekly water changes so I do larger ones about every 3 - 4 weeks.

 

[amore169]

I do a 15 gallon water change on my 90 and 2.5 gallon water change on my nanos weekly.