Water change debate

[Birdman3611]

I know there a TONS of different opinions on how often to do water changes. I have always done a water change for all 3 of my tanks about every 2 weeks. I think this is a great way to make sure you are keeping up with quality water parameters, but as my tanks mature, should I do less water changes? I would like to know peoples opinions on should I do water changes ever 2 weeks just to be safe, or should I wait until their is a problem to do water changes to save me some hassle and money? Thanks!

 

[CanuckReefer]

I know there a TONS of different opinions on how often to do water changes. I have always done a water change for all 3 of my tanks about every 2 weeks. I think this is a great way to make sure you are keeping up with quality water parameters, but as my tanks mature, should I do less water changes? I would like to know peoples opinions on should I do water changes ever 2 weeks just to be safe, or should I wait until their is a problem to do water changes to save me some hassle and money? Thanks!

Indeed you'll get many different opinions on this... I suppose some of it depends what you are running on/in your system, bioload etc...
What I can contribute is in order to maintain stable parameters in my own system, I water change 2.5% twice a week over the last 15 years. I find I get minimal swings this way...I run a HOB skimmer, polishing powerhead, UV and live rock. That's it.
I've never done a non change before and I'm not sure I could with my minimal setup...

 

[PBar]

I really like this discussion... since many many years ago in Reef Central...

In my opinion, at the end of the day, you need to understand exactly why are you doing water changes or what is the goal of your water change.

Definitely, in my opinion the goal wc in a new tank is completely different from an old tank.

In summary, each target will affect the size and the frequency of the water change.

For instance:
- ambition is to correct any specific water parameter
- you dose something rather blindly (like trace elements without regular testing) and then correct the deviations via (big) water changes
-just a small support for the system
-...

 

[Nano sapiens]

I've been keeping aquaria for a long time and I have found that a system gets used to a particular feeding and maintenance regimen.

While many would say that if something is working for you best to keep on doing it, one can also say that experimentation and tweaking have always been a part of this hobby.

If you do decide to change up your process, observe the animals often over an extended period of time to determine how they are reacting to any changes. If something isn't looking right, you can always fall back on what you know was working previously and allow the system time to reset.

 

[MONTANTK]

I’m currently trying to find a balance for water changes. I’ve been hesitant to do them because my nutrients are stuck at 0. At the same time, I’d also like to replace the trace elements my corals need to flourish. Hopefully they’re getting it through my dosing of aminos and ESV 2 part plus mag

 

[Tired]

You should do water changes when dissolved organics, nitrates, and/or phosphates are high, or when trace elements needed by corals are low. If nutrients are already low, consider dosing trace elements instead.

Water changes should be done as often as needed for your tank, not on some arbitrary schedule. How often an individual tank needs water changes varies hugely. No one schedule works for every tank.

 

[lavoisier]

For me the bottom line is the quality of the water including trace elements. So doing water changes depends on how you are running your system in regards to keeping parameters stable.

 

[X-37B]

My opinion is if you are trying to save money by extending your water changes behond 2 weeks, or until you have problems, you need to rethink it.
Whatever way you decide to run your system you need a plan from day one!
Then you need to stick with it.
Constantly changing things when you have issues, or bettet yet, when your system is doing well is where many go wrong, imo.
Stabilty is the key to whatever parameters you decide to run your system at.
10% a week has been around forever and works well.
I did it for years.
With my current 120 I have done 3 10gal WC's since startup 1.5 years ago.
I designed it this way from day one and it works very well.
IMO, my system is very stable.
I wont go into it more as it always ends up in an arguement against a no scheduled WC system.
Check my build thread for info.