Reef maintenance- water changes

TJ Merrells · May 19, 2019

I have a 5g Fluval spec that's been setup since new year's. I work away from home (3 weeks away 1 week home) and I'm wondering how I can accomplish maintaining a reef doing monthly water changes in a small tank.

I understand keeping bio load low is key.
But as I add more corals I worry that it will increase. Also have 5 sexy shrimp

Currently run chemi pure elite, marine pure spheres, poly filter pad and poly fil in the filter chamber. Have a micro smart ato upgraded return pump. Use 0 tds rodi water.

Would adding a skimmer help??

Thx for the help

NY_Caveman · May 20, 2019

A skimmer on a 5 gallon seems like a waste to me. With your schedule I would just keep the fish and invertebrate population reasonable and a monthly water change should be fine. Additional corals should not lead to a need for more frequent water changes. If anything accumulated nutrients will feed those corals.

There are auto water change (AWC) systems available, but for your schedule and tank size, that seems like an unnecessary variable to add to the system if you are away a lot.

TJ Merrells · May 20, 2019

NY_Caveman said:
A skimmer on a 5 gallon seems like a waste to me. With your schedule I would just keep the fish and invertebrate population reasonable and a monthly water change should be fine. Additional corals should not lead to a need for more frequent water changes. If anything accumulated nutrients will feed those corals.

There are auto water change (AWC) systems available, but for your schedule and tank size, that seems like an unnecessary variable to add to the system if you are away a lot.

Ok I agree. Keep the bioload down and I will be fine. But my other concern is trace elements with so few water changes