Water Changes: It's AMAZING

revhtree · Apr 15, 2012

It is amazing how much of a headache you can save yourself and how clean you can keep your tank just by doing regular water changes!

I have gotten back on top of mine and it is making a huge difference. Makes owning a tank much more enjoyable.

fab1971 · Apr 15, 2012

twice a week regularly here

tank has been spot on terrific since I've started doing it. 8-10% a week, 35% a month. Of course I also like feeding a lot.

lawnman · Apr 15, 2012

I hear you Rev. I let my tank go for 4-5 weeks and the algae took over. I change 15-20 gallons a week and everything is O so happy.

mfinn · Apr 15, 2012

Been doing water changes every 2 weeks since the early 90's.
So many problems can be solved with regular water changes.

Blake11rebel · Apr 15, 2012

In my 30g I usually do a 5g water change every 2 weeks. What size tanks do u guys have to do them twice a week? and should i be doing them more frequently?

stan13ag · Apr 15, 2012

Whats a water change?

oh:

apicturepaints · Apr 15, 2012

20 gallon WC a week over here. One of the best things you can do for everything in your tank.

sexycorals · Apr 15, 2012

hahahahaa... i hate to do it but have to.. kinda like taking a shower..

Steven R · Apr 15, 2012

5gallons a week on my 60 2gallons a week on my 30 and 10 gallons a week on my 110. I think it is amazing how fast stuff goes down hill if you lag my goniopora are the first to show signs that a water change is needed

Poseidon · Apr 15, 2012

I always did 30 gallon changes once a month on my 90, will probably do the same on the new tank. I already planned out the drain in the sump for the water changes, open a valve and drain the sump from the bottom, it will be GREAT!

oceancube · Apr 15, 2012

sexycorals said:
hahahahaa... i hate to do it but have to.. kinda like taking a shower..

^^^^ lol thats too funny

BigJohnWoody · Apr 15, 2012

Really want to set up auto water changes. Be nice to slowly take out and replace about 2 gallons a day on my system.

montethemoster · Apr 15, 2012

Agree with everyone else I run a sumpless skimmerless 40 breeder and have been having success with about 2 gallon per day water changes for about 150% total tank water volume change each month.

FishSticks05 · Apr 15, 2012

it really is the best thing for everything in your tank. I've been doing weekely 10% water changes on my 30g and my corals have never looked so healthy and have started to grow like crazy!

revhtree · Apr 15, 2012

So what would you guys suggest is the best percent and frequency for my 135g tank?

Reefer831 · Apr 15, 2012

I do a 5 gallon every 5 or 6 days on my 120, and I do one lager one of about 10 to 15 gallons once a month when I clean my sand, and service the tank...I think smaller water changes but more frequent=less swings...I also only change my gfo and carbon only on off days so there will be less swing. How often do you guys clean out your sumps? That is one thing I would love to stay on top of but I am just to lazy...

dsmhero · Apr 15, 2012

Agreed. I am usually spot on with my water changes but as of late I have been slacking and I am starting to see some effects.

Trex · Apr 15, 2012

That was one of the biggest things I noticed after I had my spinal fusion sugery -- couldn't do a water change for a couple of months. Cal, Alk and Mag levles were in check, and anything that should have been zero was, and yet the tanks didn't look right. Once I was able to start the water changes, all the testable levels stayed the same, and yet they looked like new tanks.

Zoanthkid · Apr 16, 2012

Agreed, went slacking lately, got the tank cleaned up recently n it makes a huge difference, been thinking about setting an alarm for Saturday or Sunday morning to wake up n mix water, and setting one for later in the day to remind me to actually change it.. it's really does make or break even the most stable high tech "maintenance free" tanks ... and rev, just a suggestion but maybe 15 gallons a week, just over 10% and easy numbers...

mcarroll · Apr 16, 2012

mfinn said:
Been doing water changes every 2 weeks since the early 90's.
So many problems can be solved with regular water changes.

I think the key you're holding is the one to problem prevention even moreso than problem solving.

Blake11rebel said:
In my 30g I usually do a 5g water change every 2 weeks. What size tanks do u guys have to do them twice a week? and should i be doing them more frequently?

The widely-held "standard" is 10% per week, and this remains an excellent starting point. Frequency and volume are not related to tank size, but tank contents and general husbandry practices. If your tank looks good and not too much algae, you have nothing to worry about.

Also seems worth re-mention that I never had better growth or color in my corals than when I was doing 5% every day.

Trex said:
That was one of the biggest things I noticed after I had my spinal fusion sugery -- couldn't do a water change for a couple of months. Cal, Alk and Mag levles were in check, and anything that should have been zero was, and yet the tanks didn't look right. Once I was able to start the water changes, all the testable levels stayed the same, and yet they looked like new tanks.

Ouch! Welcome back from that! (My bro has had that done twice...) This brings up a good point that we should ALL do ourselves and our animals a favor and stop making water changes so hard! Water is freaking heavy - get a long vinyl hose and a pump or two! No lifting is necessary if you're at least half-clever with these tools.

-Matt