Water changes

AWright · Jul 19, 2013

Are smaller more frequent water changes more beneficial than one large water change less often. ( 3ft predator FOWLR no skimmer ).

Mrfresh · Jul 19, 2013

For u yes. Most of the time yes as well

I started to do two water changes a week on my 90dt and noticed the corals were happier. I went from one 15 gallon a week water change to 2 5 gallon water changes. I think I am goi to go to 2 10 gallon water changes weekly...

TighTT · Jul 19, 2013

Absolutely. The name of the game is consistency. Smaller, more frequent changes will keep your system more stable that wider spaced, larger volume changes.

mike007 · Jul 19, 2013

Matter of opinion. Some do weekly,biweekly or monthly. I do 20% monthly with good results. Probaly should do biweekly bou i get lazy.

Planedoc · Jul 19, 2013

It's not more beneficial if the total amount of water changed is the same. If your trying to reduce nitrates you actually remove slightly less with two water changes than one. But say instead of doing 1 10 gallon every week you did 2 6 gallon water changes, that would more beneficial.

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Mrfresh · Jul 19, 2013

He's not running a skimmer tho so for him water changes are going to make up a lot of the mechanical filtration he's lacking.

No skimmer means a lot of waste and what not sits in the tank.

Planedoc · Jul 19, 2013

Chemistry wise it's not better, but if you are removing lots a physical waste (predator tank) it would be better as you would be removing waste it before it has a chance to break down a lower the water quality.

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TighTT · Jul 19, 2013

I didnt see the FOWLR part....I wouldn't sweat doing water changes often.

ReefEnvy · Jul 21, 2013

As mentioned, from a purely numbers standpoint larger water changes have more of an impact. That said I have personally noticed that smaller, more frequent water changes seem to produce better results (for me at least). I attribute that to consistency.

AWright · Jul 21, 2013

Ok thanks

Downbeach · Jul 21, 2013

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

mattvisocky2003 · Jul 21, 2013

I wouldn't be as concerned with a FOWLR tank. I rarely do water changes on mine and my puffer is fat, colorful, and happy. Reef is completely different.

AWright · Jul 23, 2013

mattvisocky2003 said:
I wouldn't be as concerned with a FOWLR tank. I rarely do water changes on mine and my puffer is fat, colorful, and happy. Reef is completely different.

Really. Wouldnt the nitrates push up too high though especially with messy eaters.