Parameters low- skip weekly water change?

[reeferNbeer]

My parameters have been trending downward, should I skip my weekly water change until they get back up to my average level? The tank has been looking great at my median levels

average-
Alkalinity: 8.2-8.8
Phosphate: 0.03-0.04
Nitrate: 3.2-4.3

currently-
Alkalinity: 8.8
Phosphate: 0.01
Nitrate: 0.6

all tested via Hanna checkers

thoughts?

 

[JNalley]

If it was me I'd just add more organic input by way of feedings. My Nitrate and Phosphate bottomed out earlier this week (pretty sure I double-dosed the NoPoX by mistake) So waiting on them to get back up to my normal levels, just increased feeding for a few days.

So to answer your question, yes, skipping a water change will work too.

 

[muzikalmatt]

You definitely don't want your nitrates or phosphates to bottom out and your alkalinity looks good, so I would absolutely skip the water change this week, test next week, and see where you're at.

 

[reeferNbeer]

Glad I’m thinking in the right direction! Thanks!

 

[reeferNbeer]

So I skipped last week’s water change and I’m still trending down.

Skip another water change?
Should I turn off my skimmer too?

nitrate: 0.3
Phos: 0.03
Alk: 9.2

thanks!

 

[DE FISH]

So I skipped last week’s water change and I’m still trending down.

Skip another water change?
Should I turn off my skimmer too?

nitrate: 0.3
Phos: 0.03
Alk: 9.2

thanks!

You could skip another wc and see if that increases your nutrients but sounds like your nitrate limited dose no3 to increase the value just ensure your po4 doesn’t hit zero then your good keep testing both regularly and let us know what figures your hitting

 

[reeferNbeer]

You could skip another wc and see if that increases your nutrients but sounds like your nitrate limited dose no3 to increase the value just ensure your po4 doesn’t hit zero then your good keep testing both regularly and let us know what figures your hitting

Will do!

 

[ProxyAquarist]

So I skipped last week’s water change and I’m still trending down. .... Skip another water change? ....

I agree with Muzikalmatt, "You definitely don't want your nitrates or phosphates to bottom out.'

Your tank inhabitants need nutrition. Phosphates are essential for life, and low nitrates might shift the chemistry of needed compounds. Others can speak as to cyan or Dinos with low values.

De Fish's comments on increased nutrients are well taken.

Remember levels are a function of input and output. Inhabitant consumption and water changes are output. Inhabitant waste and feeding are production. Your values may drop if the inhabitants are consuming more.

I'd consider increased feeding. This will increase phosphate and nitrate and allow water changes without bottoming out parameters.

Note that water changes remove substances we do not test for. Some are deleterious and still need to be removed. Being a slave to nitrate and phosphate may allow accumulation of these deleterious substances.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Lavey29]

Other then a skimmer are you running any chemical media or a fuge?

 

[reeferNbeer]

Other then a skimmer are you running any chemical media or a fuge?

Just a filter sock and skimmer.

 

[jmichaelh7]

this is an old thread, i would say though time for new fish and or increased feedings

I like that ol saying, heavy in and heavy out