Markonius Asks: Water Change Routine

[Markonius28]

Avid aquarists and hobbyists here in the Philippines generally use natural sea water for water change, complete with balanced and beneficial trace elements for livestocks rather than saltwater mix.

True enough, routine water changes help preserve the overall chemistry of the aquatic system and reduce unwanted build-up of algae promoting nutrients.

Since we have 7,641 islands, I don't really find it hard to do water changes weekly or monthly since I usually get water from cystal-clear saltwater lagoons.

How about you? Can you share your water change routine?

 

[lolgranny]

That sounds rough....

Jeesh In jealous! I usually do about 10% (65g) every other week. I blow off my rock with a power head as well.

 

[jda]

I live 1000 miles from the ocean. I gotta mix some Instant Ocean - I can do this by just turning a few ball valves and waiting 10 seconds and then dumping in a whole 50g bag of the mix. I have a recipe that I follow to lower the alk and raise the calcium for a few pennies. Then, I have some hoses and pumps that takes me about 5 minutes to get this done.

I change water because I am cheap and lazy. All of the testing and sending out water samples to use some of the no-water-change methods would cost a lot more and take more of my time.

 

[zack801]

I do a 25g water change every 3 weeks. Using regular instant ocean I use muriatic acid to lower alk to match my tank. @jda what are you using to lower your alk in your new salt mix?

 

[jda]

Muratic Acid. Easy. Safe for the tank, but you have got to handle it carefully. Gallons * dKh drop * .123 is the amount of MLs to use. You need to mix it another day to let the pH rise again (drive off the excess co2 that you created adding the acid).

 

[jda]

Since we have 7,641 islands[/ATTACH]

Are you allowed to collect corals to put into your tanks? Just curious.

 

[Markonius28]

That sounds rough....

Jeesh In jealous! I usually do about 10% (65g) every other week. I blow off my rock with a power head as well.

Wow! That's nice. [emoji225]

 

[Markonius28]

I live 1000 miles from the ocean. I gotta mix some Instant Ocean - I can do this by just turning a few ball valves and waiting 10 seconds and then dumping in a whole 50g bag of the mix. I have a recipe that I follow to lower the alk and raise the calcium for a few pennies. Then, I have some hoses and pumps that takes me about 5 minutes to get this done.

I change water because I am cheap and lazy. All of the testing and sending out water samples to use some of the no-water-change methods would cost a lot more and take more of my time.

Sounds challenging but cool. [emoji4]

 

[Markonius28]

Are you allowed to collect corals to put into your tanks? Just curious.

Hi jda! The Philippines is home to the world's second largest contiguous coral reef where 421 of the 577 known species of corals can be found. Sounds cool but they're strictly untouchable. Under the law, we're not allowed to gather or exploit corals especially those rare, endangered and threatened species. Only legitimate aquaculturists and marine biologists are allowed to collect corals for scientific study. [emoji4] [emoji225]