Water,and water change

[new beee]

I just did my first water change, should I do a 10 % every week or bi week from here out?
Also I have a rodi system hooked to a garbage b can with a float valve for changes. Is it ok to store it like that or should I make the water a couple of days before change

 

[MnFish1]

I just did my first water change, should I do a 10 % every week or bi week from here out?
Also I have a rodi system hooked to a garbage b can with a float valve for changes. Is it ok to store it like that or should I make the water a couple of days before change

It's a little unclear - do you mean 10% twice/week or 10% every other week? You could do either - depending on your nutrient levels and personal preferences. (Some people do no water changes - or only rare). As to the other question - not sure a a 'garbage b can' is - but the answer is that usually it's best to store water in a food-safe container. I actually bought a rain collection barrel - with a valve on the bottom. Mounted the 50 gal container on blocks - so it was easy to drain.

 

[GARRIGA]

Perhaps change water based on test results an option. Not all tanks behave the same.

 

[new beee]

It's a little unclear - do you mean 10% twice/week or 10% every other week? You could do either - depending on your nutrient levels and personal preferences. (Some people do no water changes - or only rare). As to the other question - not sure a a 'garbage b can' is - but the answer is that usually it's best to store water in a food-safe container. I actually bought a rain collection barrel - with a valve on the bottom. Mounted the 50 gal container on blocks - so it was easy to drain.

Hey thanks! I have a pump in it to drain or get water out. as far as water changes go I meant 10 gallon a week. I have a frog spawn and a camouflage Zoa right now and not dosing or anything like that. Prob won’t do anything really crazy mostly softy’s any advice on making the easier more forgiving corals happy? Also light schudule

 

[Reeferbadness]

I have 2 x 200 g tanks that are 5 and 3 years old and do about 10 - 15% per week. I find that more frequent water changes help keep your trace elements in line as well as nutrient export. I tried doing less and things didn't go very well. I have a 50g food grade barrel for RO/DI water (with a float valve) and another 50g barrel next to it to make my salt mixture. When i go away for longer periods i just do 2x water changes the week before (for up to 3 to 4 weeks). Everyone handles this differently. Some don't do any water changes and add their own trace elements based on ICP tests (moonshiners method) To each their own as long as your tank is doing well.

 

[MnFish1]

Hey thanks! I have a pump in it to drain or get water out. as far as water changes go I meant 10 gallon a week. I have a frog spawn and a camouflage Zoa right now and not dosing or anything like that. Prob won’t do anything really crazy mostly softy’s any advice on making the easier more forgiving corals happy? Also light schudule

OH ok - you also say 'bi'. In any case, as others have said - you can also base on testing. However, be rigorous in testing (i.e. don't wait a month) and then find out the nitrates are 100. Sometimes its just easier to change water (especially if you have the RODI already - and can get salt (which can be quite reasonable on sale) at a good price

 

[Dburr1014]

Also I have a rodi system hooked to a garbage b can with a float valve for changes. Is it ok to store it like that or should I make the water a couple of days before change

You can store it for weeks, keep it covered.

 

[MnFish1]

As to your light schedule - it's going to be up to personal preference, and the type of light you have. I guess I tended to go with a 'schedule' that mimicked the amount of light on the reef (time and brightness). But that is more of an individual decision. I would say more corals have done poorly when added to a new tank when going from a darker (relatively) tank to a very bright tank thats at 100% on all channels