Salt water and water change frequency

[ElitePirate]

Hi friends

Please excuse my newbie questions.

I'm getting several mixed reviews/answers.

Question 01 -

I have a very small nano tank (15 gallon / 56L). My aquarium staff asked me to do a 25% water change every month because I'm also adding minerals every week. But some experienced members suggesting that I should do a weekly water change.

I prefer a 25% water change every 2 weeks. Is that alright?

Question 02 -

Right now I'm getting cycled salt water from my aquarium. They sell it for a cheaper price 10L gallon - just $3. But that place is bit far. The only advantage is their water is ready-to-use. I just have to remove 25% water and just fill in their water.

Can I create my very own salt water by adding some salt minerals to my tap water or how this thing works? any advise or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Sam

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

Ok first question, it really depends from person to person but I like to do weekly waterchanges of 20 percent on my nanos. It doesnt mean 25 every 2 weeks will not work im just saying what I do personally.
Second question, I have always made my own water simply because I run a lot of systems and it wouldnt be cost effective to buy that much water every week. Making your own water is nothing hard you just need to have an RO/DI unit it makes tap water safe for reef tanks and everything inside them using straight up tap water is a big no no too many contaminants. An RO/DI unit is gonna run you some money upfront but it definetly pays off. Having to go out and but saltwater AND RO water for evaporation is a lot of work in my opinion.

 

[ndrwater]

Glad you are asking questions!!
1st, small frequent water changes are better than larger infrequent.
2nd, using store bought water is perfectly fine, but... Remember, water evaporates. Salt doesn't. There will be a time when adding freshwater is necessary to maintain a stable salinity in your tank. I would reccrecom an Auto Top Off (ATO) device to make this as easy on you and more stable for your tank. I personally recommend the Tunze models. They work and work well.
Lastly, you can indeed make your own saltwater. Using tap water is less than ideal because most city water supplies are treated to make it drinkable for us. The problem is that the use of cholorine or choliramine to make potable water for us make poor water quality for our tanks. There are chemicals, carbon blocks, etc to treat the water, but there are many other impurities that a simple chemical additive just can't take care if effectively.
The use of an Reverse Osmosis Deionization (RODI) unit to make good quality water from tap water is the preferred method for most successful reefers.

 

[ElitePirate]

Thank you @Phelipe's Ocean and @ndrwater

I guess a RODI unit will be good but I'll have to wait 1 - 2 months coz already spent nearly $1000+

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

Thank you @Phelipe's Ocean and @ndrwater

I guess a RODI unit will be good but I'll have to wait 1 - 2 months coz already spent nearly $1000+

Yup, this hobby adds up real fast

 

[Jesterrace]

Small weekly water changes are considered best for water quality and stability. I change out 10 gallons a week on my 90 gallon with a 29 gallon sump. It is a matter of preference, but I find my tank stays cleaner when I use this method.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Small weekly water changes are considered best for water quality and stability. I change out 10 gallons a week on my 90 gallon with a 29 gallon sump. It is a matter of preference, but I find my tank stays cleaner when I use this method.

I don't think it's that black and white. Many people consider them to be the best, but many do not. I don't consider small water changes to be the "best." They work, better in some cases than others, but this is true for virtually all other methods of maintaining water parameters. What is best will vary based on each individual tank, mineral consumption, cost and availability of reefing supplies, etc.

Some tanks don't do water changes at all. Some do daily water changes. Some do water changes somewhere in between, like weekly, twice a month, monthly, or every few months. If weekly 10% water changes work for you, that's great. There are many people who do small changes like you and have good success. However, there are many people that do water changes completely differently from the way you do, and they also have success. There's not a one-size-fits-all answer here.

 

[ElitePirate]

ya i kinda agree with @chipmunkofdoom2 coz one of my friend used to change 30% water every month and he is doing great. lets see. i need to find a way to stock up salt water