Possible to never do water changes?

[homer1475]

Whats the old saying?

The solution to pollution is dilution.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Believe they have a very large FB presence. I'm not on that cesspool so I do not know for sure, but have read thats where most of it is.

All of the moonshiners I know still keep water on hand and have had to use it at times.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

It is possible, but it usually takes a bit of planning (typically for dosing and nutrient export, but, in your case, sand maintenance too). We’ve even had TOTM’s that run no water change systems (as mentioned in a post above, though, it’s probably a good idea to have some extra salt/water around as a just in case - a lot of people do a “no planned water changes system”).

Some relevant threads:

HOW??

Here's a crazy 1. I see these nano reefs with a few LPS and soft coral in lobbies around, with a HOB skimmer and nothing else, clearly neglected, power heads disintegrating and falling apart. Yet the coral survives. Brown, usually, not many vibrant colors. But the clown fish are fat and...

www.reef2reef.com

REEF OF THE MONTH - June 2022: Reefer_punk's Beautiful DSR Reef! No Water Changes in 4+ Years!

R2R Username: @Reefer_punk Build Thread: Reefer_punk's new build thread Introduction: Hi to all of you, Reef2Reefers! First of all, I am unbelievably honored to have my tank picked as Reef of the Month! It is humbling to be selected and...

www.reef2reef.com

Info on the Reef Moonshiner’s method:

reefmoonshiners.com

Reef Moonshiner's

www.reefmoonshiners.com

 

[QuinnLee512]

I think I worded this thread wrong. Even if I could do auto water changes, I assume I'd still need to vacuum the sandbed so I'm not going to be able to avoid that.

 

[QuinnLee512]

It is possible, but it usually takes a bit of planning (typically for dosing and nutrient export, but, in your case, sand maintenance too). We’ve even had TOTM’s that run no water change systems (as mentioned in a post above, though, it’s probably a good idea to have some extra salt/water around as a just in case - a lot of people do a “no planned water changes system”).

Some relevant threads:

HOW??

Here's a crazy 1. I see these nano reefs with a few LPS and soft coral in lobbies around, with a HOB skimmer and nothing else, clearly neglected, power heads disintegrating and falling apart. Yet the coral survives. Brown, usually, not many vibrant colors. But the clown fish are fat and...

www.reef2reef.com

REEF OF THE MONTH - June 2022: Reefer_punk's Beautiful DSR Reef! No Water Changes in 4+ Years!

R2R Username: @Reefer_punk Build Thread: Reefer_punk's new build thread Introduction: Hi to all of you, Reef2Reefers! First of all, I am unbelievably honored to have my tank picked as Reef of the Month! It is humbling to be selected and...

www.reef2reef.com

Info on the Reef Moonshiner’s method:

reefmoonshiners.com

Reef Moonshiner's

www.reefmoonshiners.com

Thanks I'll have a read. I make my own saltwater so I always have water on hand.

 

[homer1475]

I think I worded this thread wrong. Even if I could do auto water changes, I assume I'd still need to vacuum the sandbed so I'm not going to be able to avoid that.

This is why you use a sock in your sump. Vacuum all day long without loosing a single drop of water.

 

[QuinnLee512]

This is why you use a sock in your sump. Vacuum all day long without loosing a single drop of water.

I use a python so I'll just put a filter sock over the squeeze pump. Awesome idea!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've had my tank running for almost a year now. I'm trying not to have to do water changes. However I've been running into high nitrate and phosphate issues. I've started vacuuming the sand bed to try and get the nitrates down. I have to essentially do a water change when vacuuming the sand bed. So was wondering if it's possible to never do a water change when there's a sandbed capturing detritus?

I rarely if ever change water but that comes with disciplined testing of water, ICP testing and a very stable tank. Once there, I replenish evaporated water along with adding trace elements and vitamins as well as aminos

 

[stephanjupillat]

This is why you use a sock in your sump. Vacuum all day long without loosing a single drop of water.

I’ve never tired that but have read many people doing that. What micron do you use? Do you vacuum the entire sand bed at one time or portions? I would fear losing all good things in the sand bed if done all at once.

 

[QuinnLee512]

I rarely if ever change water but that comes with disciplined testing of water, ICP testing and a very stable tank. Once there, I replenish evaporated water along with adding trace elements and vitamins as well as aminos

But do you vacuum the sand bed?

 

[vetteguy53081]

But do you vacuum the sand bed?

No unless VERY needed (visually) which my tank is nearly bare-bottom

 

[homer1475]

I’ve never tired that but have read many people doing that. What micron do you use? Do you vacuum the entire sand bed at one time or portions? I would fear losing all good things in the sand bed if done all at once.

No idea micron size, just a felt filter sock, same ones I normally use. And yes in my 80G cube I do the entire sandbed once a month. I also employee 3 fighting conch, several nessarious(sp?) snails, and my sandbed is full of medusa/spaghetti worms.

 

[homer1475]

No unless VERY needed (visually) which I am nearly bare-bottom

OMG this a family friendly webiste! You can't say that.

Sorry couldn't help myself. Think it's my flu and pneumonia.

 

[vetteguy53081]

OMG this a family friendly webiste! You can't say that.

Sorry couldn't help myself. Think it's my flu and pneumonia.

I fixed that sentence

 

[homer1475]

Yeah but I quoted it, so it's there for all times now.

 

[HomebroodExotics]

I believe you can run a system with zero water changes with the right processes. I don’t do any water changes in my tanks.

 

[homer1475]

Yeah i'm not even sure why I change water anymore. I've gone a few months, and never really noticed a difference.

It's just whats been ingrained in me for 30 years, so I keep doing them.

EDIT:
Make that 40 years. Sometimes we forget how old we are.

 

[rennjidk]

Unless you have physically contaminated your tank with something that needs to be removed, there is no required reason to ever do a WC. There are multiple avenues to replacing micro and macro elements, as well as nutrient export. Just do a little research and pick your preferred method.

 

[rennjidk]

It's just whats been ingrained in me for 30 years, so I keep doing them.

That's 95% of this hobby IMO, lol.

 

[PeterEde]

My goal is never having to do water changes. :⁠-⁠) Even having to vacuum the sand bed is a pain lol

My tank is almost 11 months old. I've changed my sand for coarser and since have not vacuumed my bottom.
I have a sand sifter goby and cerith snails that seem to be doing a great job in keeping my bottom clean.
My only WC in recent times has been 15% to reduce No3. Now stable around 25ppm. Dosing Reef essentials.