Water Changes

[ConnorDaReefa]

Hey. This is probably a simple question but I know it might generate different opinions. I have a 65 gallon tank but I typically assume it is 60 gallons of volume (because of rock and other water displacement factors). Would it be better to do an 8% weekly (5 gallons) or to do a 16% change every two weeks?

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Think you'll burn out weekly...

I was lucky enough to figure out how to run lines to do daily automated changes, which I consider the best... also easy

 

[ConnorDaReefa]

Think you'll burn out weekly...

I was lucky enough to figure out how to run lines to do daily automated changes, which I consider the best... also easy

I’ve always thought of that but water changes are always like my time to also clean filtration and etc so it kind works out and keeps me on schedule. I currently do the 8% weekly but I occasionally miss a week every now and then. So maybe switching to bi-weekly will be smarter in my case. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Lavey29]

I went weekly the first year now I do 18% every 3 weeks.

 

[ConnorDaReefa]

I went weekly the first year now I do 18% every 3 weeks.

Yea. Doing larger and less frequent water changes seems a little more appealing now, and as long as you keep the water heated that you mix and its similar to your tank’s parameters, I feel like you could kind of rule out the factor of it creating instability.

 

[Lavey29]

Yea. Doing larger and less frequent water changes seems a little more appealing now, and as long as you keep the water heated that you mix and its similar to your tank’s parameters, I feel like you could kind of rule out the factor of it creating instability.

But I dose major elements daily and trace elements weekly in-between water changes to maintain levels.

 

[FUNGI]

I do 10% weekly (every Saturday)......

 

[Lavey29]

I think for new tanks the first year weekly water changes are essential to maintain some balance. New tanks are unstable and water changes each week add a level of stability to the system. As a tank matures and you start dosing various tank elements then the water changes can be spread out father however you can not go Wong by continuing weekly changes either.

 

[Dan_P]

Hey. This is probably a simple question but I know it might generate different opinions. I have a 65 gallon tank but I typically assume it is 60 gallons of volume (because of rock and other water displacement factors). Would it be better to do an 8% weekly (5 gallons) or to do a 16% change every two weeks?

32% every month or 4% every 3.5 days. Maybe 1% every day. Not sure this can be answered.