Hi. Having kept freshwater fish for some time, I'm starting to research building my first reef aquarium. I've read a couple of books so far and they all say to keep on top of regular water changes as I have done with my freshwater tank. Speaking to my lfs, the guys in there say they never do water changes. What's everyone's view on this?
Water changes!
- Thread starter chris489
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ReefMadScientist
Valuable Member
Hey and welcome!
The reason people perform water changes is to replenish the necessary elements for corals, and remove nitrates and phosphates.
Since you are starting new, perform your water changes...typically 15-20% every two weeks...all depending on your tank parameters. Sure, some guys went years without a water change but that does not mean you do not have to dose the important elements to sustain a reef tank. Some guys are also using the Vodka Treatment and other carbon dosing to remove No3 and Po4.
The reason people perform water changes is to replenish the necessary elements for corals, and remove nitrates and phosphates.
Since you are starting new, perform your water changes...typically 15-20% every two weeks...all depending on your tank parameters. Sure, some guys went years without a water change but that does not mean you do not have to dose the important elements to sustain a reef tank. Some guys are also using the Vodka Treatment and other carbon dosing to remove No3 and Po4.
mcarroll
10K Club member
I see doing zero water changees as a stunt more than a care regime.
It's not to say that it can't work, and there are definitely tanks that have big differences in their requirement for water changes....but most people do not set up their tank in a way that leads to success on this route. It takes a very conservative and well-planned stock list and a disciplined hand at feeding time...every time.
Water changes come with all kinds of benefits, especially if you keep corals....so in most cases they make all kinds of sense to do. Weekly is the least often I'd do them on a hard coral tank...only slightly less n a softie tank. Fish-only could be spaced out with correct stocking and care of filters. Quantity would be dictated by test results....mineral for hard coral tanks, or nutrient for other tanks.
-Matt
It's not to say that it can't work, and there are definitely tanks that have big differences in their requirement for water changes....but most people do not set up their tank in a way that leads to success on this route. It takes a very conservative and well-planned stock list and a disciplined hand at feeding time...every time.
Water changes come with all kinds of benefits, especially if you keep corals....so in most cases they make all kinds of sense to do. Weekly is the least often I'd do them on a hard coral tank...only slightly less n a softie tank. Fish-only could be spaced out with correct stocking and care of filters. Quantity would be dictated by test results....mineral for hard coral tanks, or nutrient for other tanks.
-Matt
StikHedRon
Well-Known Member
I like to do 5-10% weekly, that gives me an opportunity to get in the tank and sump and do some maintenance that needs done.
Zero Nitrates
I love chalices
+1 on water changes
salttanklife
Active Member
I've been keeping a tank for over a year now and I started out thinking that water changes was as important as made out to be. Boy was I wrong, I'm battling red slime algae and considering taking my tank down to start over. I've been trying everything and I'm doing 3 water changes a week now to try and get my phosphate level down. Make sure to use rodi water as well, it's not worth the risk to take. I tried to have the smart idea of using my refrigerator filtered water and I'm paying for it now. A rodi system cost a lot less than what it takes to get your tank back in order
salttanklife
Active Member
I meant that I started out thinking that water changes wasn't as important as made out to be... water changes are very important to keep a healthy tank that thrives
ReefMadScientist
Valuable Member
StikHedRon
Well-Known Member
Also, to go with the use of RODI water, use 0 TDS water! Change your DI resin when it begins to jump to 1
gcantu2002
Community Member
TDS = Total Dissolved Solids
StikHedRon
Well-Known Member
With a hand held TDS meter or you can get an inline TDS meter for your RODI unit
marinelife
SaltGeek
a LFS bags fish and coral out of their tanks, that is their water change. if they sell enough they may not need anything else.
I recommend a water change atleast once a month.
I recommend a water change atleast once a month.
Bad Company
Well-Known Member
I use tap water. But I also have an algae scrubber which keeps nitrates at 0. Algae scrubbers also reduce phosphates and absorb heavy metals. I do 5% water changes every month or so as part of keeping my sump clean. Weekly maintenance on the algae scrubber is about 20 minutes. I do not have any filter media, nor do I add any chemicals other then seachem prime to conteract chlorine/chloriamine. My tank has been up for 7 months, and I have zero problems with nuisance algae. That said, my tap water also has zero nitrates, and I have two very small LPS corals, which consume very few nutrients, but I do have some decent coraline growth. If I had more stony corals, I would have to either do more waterchanges to replenish consumed minerals, or I'd have to start dosing them (calcium, magnesium, iodine etc). Cheers!
