Water change over analysis questions

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Thank you and apologies for the silly questions in advance. I tend to way over think tasks and therefore over complicate things.

10 gal volume (not tank size)

tank parms
440 cal
10.4 dkh alk (kalk in ato;1/8 teaspoon per gal rodi)
1300 mag
Ph 8.1
NO3 20
PO4 barely detectable

water change parms
400 cal
9.4 dkh
1280 mag

I target 10.3 alk, 440-450 cal, 1350 mag.
How would you do this WC?

1. Siphon 5 gallons out, pump 5 gallons in. Then dry your hands

2. Dose equal parts BRS cal & alk to WC to match tank

3. Dose brs or brightwell reef code independently to WC to match tank

4. Water change then amend tank water in 12 hours. With BRS cal &Alk

I know this is silly and thanks for taking the time to help me rethink everything I do in my tank!!

 

[homer1475]

I use regular old IO, which mixes slightly higher ALK, and lower mag and cal, then what I keep my tank at. I simply add acid to lower the ALK, and add cal and mag to have my water change water match the parameters in my tank.

Typically if your WC is close, and your only doing 10%, as long as the parameters aren't wildly different then you keep your tank, that 10% won't effect too much.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I use regular old IO, which mixes slightly higher ALK, and lower mag and cal, then what I keep my tank at. I simply add acid to lower the ALK, and add cal and mag to have my water change water match the parameters in my tank.

Typically if your WC is close, and your only doing 10%, as long as the parameters aren't wildly different then you keep your tank, that 10% won't effect too much.

Right, but this is a Nano with just an air drive skimmer and filter floss, 7 days is enough to move nitrates from 7 to 15. So 10% water changes are off the table.

todays WC and almost all WC’s on this tank will be 50%, or 5 gallons.

 

[homer1475]

Then simply match your WC to your tanks parameters.

Add some ALK and CAL(not in equal parts as your raisng them in unequal ratio's). MAG is close enough I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I would bump the alk and do the change. U might as well do 80-100% wc and eliminate any guess work. The tank will handle it. Lol. My opinion.
D

 

[blasterman]

My concern is the big water changes resetting phosphate to zero. But, if everything looks good its no worries. As long as there's some in there.

Personally I wouldn't bother futzing with calcium or mag with big water changes. Your salt mix isn't broke.

Alk is always worth keeping up in a small tank because it gets depleted do fast.