Water changes?

[jaijai]

Hello there! Quick question
How often should I change my water and how much of it?

 

[SloppyJ]

What size tank do you have?

 

[jaijai]

120

 

[Dalmatia]

When your nitrates are high. If your water is missing minerals and supplements you can dose/drip to restore values, better than a water change but can be more expensive

 

[Dalmatia]

My nitrates never go up, so I just supplement feed

 

[ETORRES477]

I have a 150 and I do a 15 gallon WC every week. I am thinking about switching to 30 gallon bi-weekly changes. I think you would be fine with the same or even 10 gallons weekly or 20 bi-weekly. Then again, some people on here change monthly, every couple of months, or never (they just replace the water that has evaporated). You will get many opinions before the thread starts to die down I would imagine, but I think the overall consensus is about 15% of your total water volume weekly.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Its normally 10% a week, or 25% every 2 weeks. But if your water parameters are in check, theres no need for it. Watch your numbers, then you will get into a routine with it.

 

[trido]

My parameters are almost always in check and I change a 10% every three weeks to a month.

The easy to follow general rule of thumb is 20% a month either once att 20% or twice at 10%. Then as you get more experience you can adjust your schedule to fit your tanks needs.

 

[jaijai]

Thanks everyone

 

[Bad Company]

I have a system with 70 gallons total water volume. I started it last August, and still am on my first bucket of salt (200 gallon). As stated above, water changes are typically to: reduce nitrates, replenish trace minerals, or dilute built up unmeasured toxins etc.

I run an algae scrubber (removes nitrates, phosphates, and heavy metals) and have a very light coal population, so calcium isn't consumed very quickly. This allows me to water change very infrequently.

 

[twotangs]

I also have a 120, I change a rubber made trash can (about 20 gallons) once per month, Also dose calicium and alk.

 

[SpartaReef]

Decide how often you want to do it and stick to that. Your tank will adjust to you and will become balanced, if you don't stick to the same regimen you will through off your tank. I do daily or semi-daily 1-2 gallon water changes on a 29g... If I had a 120 or larger I would do less frequent changes... Also depends on consumption of elements in the water... The more coral you have the more you need to replace trace elements etc... dosing is more accurate if you can test for everything... But most of us cant so we do water changes.