Ponder Water: How often do you do water changes?

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

To change my water or not to change my water. Some people think it's absolutely essential. Others shrug their shoulders and leave the tank to do its own thing. But one thing is for sure: There are lots of varying factors and opinions when it comes to this topic. Let's discuss it!

How often do you do water changes, and why? If you're not doing water changes, why is that?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

We only do water changes if something is going south in our tank.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

At least once a month, sometimes biweekly. Five tanks, all different parameters. I change about 160 gallons of water a month of 400 gallons total water volume. I do it for nitrate control.

 

[Gtinnel]

It seems like daily should be an option for those of us with a AWC setup.

 

[Jjmg]

I do weekly 10%. I think my corals look better after having the water change done. I also enjoy tank maintenance and tinkering.

 

[UtahReefer]

AWC Daily.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I did water changes about 12 times per day, over 15 minutes each time, amounting to about 1% daily.

 

[shakacuz]

0. i just supplement trace elements to keep things where they should be.

 

[Enad]

Weekly. I'm a big believer in weekly water changes being the key for success with low tech reef tanks.

 

[Nextlevelreefer]

Everyday 3 gallons 150 gallon ext Lagoon with a synergy 44 rm sump via neptune dos

 

[SeniorReefer]

biweekly

 

[Luigi Reefs]

I think this is very much dependent on the type of set up one has. For those set ups with load of filtration (large skimmer, large refugium, rollers, etc), then the water changes would be less.

For myself, who has a very minimalist style aquarium, then water changes are more important, so I change 10% per week, and 50% every 3 months.

 

[Dburr1014]

I do 1 gallon daily.

I had to vote other because daily isn't on the list.

 

[Benson0219]

I do mine weekly, I want to set up a daily AWC system soon.

 

[HomebroodExotics]

No water changes for me. I got some tricks I’ve learned.

 

[DIYreefer]

I voted "other." I aim for weekly but sometimes that gets stretched out to 10 or 20 days. Life happens

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Every two weeks 30% so 30 gallons. To some it may be excessive but it has worked for me.

 

[reefsaver]

Time for me to go do a water change. Thank you OP.
I don't think I need it. But why not. Lets replenish anything I might be missing and get rid of anything that's had a chance to concentrate.

 

[Joe.D]

Typically 10% weekly sometimes 15% biweekly. I let mine go 2 weeks this time and one of my Goni’s didn’t like it. That Goni is the biggest of the 3 that I have and it just closed up for like 3 or 4 days. Did a water change on Saturday and it was almost back to normal today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Parameters weren’t out of whack, not sure what changed.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

My 7g nano is a mandatory 50% weekly. I have a HUGE bio-load in that tank and I feed it heavily. My 20g nano is bi-weekly 15% with a similar bio-load albeit with a skimmer.