Recycling SPS water for Softy Tank

[GeTanked]

So, this is what I'm thinking:
I have a SPS/LPS tank that runs at really low nitrate/phosphate levels (undetectable phosphate and 0-5 nitrate), and a softy tank that runs considerably higher (like 50-75ppm nitrates). What would be the dangers or concerns with using the water I'm draining out of the SPS tank to be the replenish water for the softy tank water changes?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

So, this is what I'm thinking:
I have a SPS/LPS tank that runs at really low nitrate/phosphate levels (undetectable phosphate and 0-5 nitrate), and a softy tank that runs considerably higher (like 50-75ppm nitrates). What would be the dangers or concerns with using the water I'm draining out of the SPS tank to be the replenish water for the softy tank water changes?

Why are you doing water changes on the SPS tank in the first place? If the water is "good enough" for the LPS tank, why is it no longer "good enough" for the SPS tank?

 

[mtraylor]

I cant think of any as I have a mixed reef with allot of SPS, with some LPS and zoo's and mushrooms as my softies. All of them thrive in my SPS environment.....but I do have nitrates and phosphates. Around 5 nitrates and .05 to .1 phosphates. IF your water your adding has zero phosphates then it will be the same or close to your auto top off water. As long as you don't do really big water changes, I think you will be good.

 

[panic]

I did this for a couple of years from a 350g system similar to yours to a 270 LPS and softy reef with success. I used nothing other than light, powerheads, and heat for the "recycle" reef. I changed 50g of water every other week or so, with the old water from the SPS tank to the other one. Never any problems with algae. Now they are plumbed together with the same amount of water change. One less step.

 

[GeTanked]

I did this for a couple of years from a 350g system similar to yours to a 270 LPS and softy reef with success. I used nothing other than light, powerheads, and heat for the "recycle" reef. I changed 50g of water every other week or so, with the old water from the SPS tank to the other one. Never any problems with algae. Now they are plumbed together with the same amount of water change. One less step.

So are u running higher nutrient levels on your SPS or lower on your LPS softy now?

 

[GeTanked]

Why are you doing water changes on the SPS tank in the first place? If the water is "good enough" for the LPS tank, why is it no longer "good enough" for the SPS tank?

Well that’s the magic question with doing water changes isn’t it? I’m subscribing to the idea of doing water changes on my sps tank, despite low nutrient levels, is to remove and replenish parameters I’m not testing for like metals etc and replenishing cal/mag.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Well that’s the magic question with doing water changes isn’t it? I’m subscribing to the idea of doing water changes on my sps tank, despite low nutrient levels, is to remove and replenish parameters I’m not testing for like metals etc and replenishing cal/mag.

Well right. But if there are enough heavy metals to warrant a water change, why won't those be a problem in the LPS tank? If trace elements are so low that you need to change water, why is that low level not going to be problematic in the LPS tank?

If the water is okay for the LPS tank, it should be okay for the SPS tank. If the water is so contaminated with heavy metals or so low in trace elements that it must be changed, I wouldn't call it safe for any tank and I'd put it down the drain.

 

[panic]

So are u running higher nutrient levels on your SPS or lower on your LPS softy now?

It is still low nutrient, but I feed a lot more now

 

[GeTanked]

Well right. But if there are enough heavy metals to warrant a water change, why won't those be a problem in the LPS tank? If trace elements are so low that you need to change water, why is that low level not going to be problematic in the LPS tank?

If the water is okay for the LPS tank, it should be okay for the SPS tank. If the water is so contaminated with heavy metals or so low in trace elements that it must be changed, I wouldn't call it safe for any tank and I'd put it down the drain.

It’s my understanding that soft corals not only tolerate higher nutrient levels but actually prefer and thrive in those conditions.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

It’s my understanding that soft corals not only tolerate higher nutrient levels but actually prefer and thrive in those conditions.

If the only thing wrong with the water is the nutrients, why not get rid of the nutrients instead of getting rid of the water? You could use macro algae, a turf scrubber, organic carbon, GFO, or any number of techniques to keep nutrients low.

Water changes are relatively ineffective at controlling nutrients anyway, especially in the case of phosphates.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

It’s my understanding that soft corals not only tolerate higher nutrient levels but actually prefer and thrive in those conditions.

I have a mixed reef, no3 zero to 5ppm, po4 0.03. My softies arein great condition & I've fragged them repeatedly. Some softies may tolerate high nutrients, but it isn't a requirement.