Water changes

[jjg14e]

If all I have is a peppermint shrimp in my tank, and its only about 2 months old (1 month of cycling and 1 month of having the peppermint shrimp), should I be doing regular weekly water changes or do I not have to worry about doing them so often? I haven't even done one water change yet.

 

[cjd]

Is this your first tank? If it is it might be a good idea to start doing them just to get in the habit and the "technique" down . You can get away with smaller water changes now but getting into the habit might be a good idea. You really just want to watch your nutrient levels if they get out of hand you'll end up with great algae growth and not much else. Water changes can be a debate though, plenty of reefers never do a single one! I change 10% weekly like clockwork . Monday evening make up water , Tuesday evening water change. Please use RODI water and not from a local fish store water unless you can verify 0 TDS. Hope this helps.

 

[jjg14e]

Hey! Thanks for the reply, yes this is my first tank and I have been using RO water to fill up when the water evaporates but the salt water aquarium store I go to has pre mixed salt water that I originally used to fill my tank and plan to use to do water changes to keep the consistency

 

[cjd]

just be careful . Just because its a fish store doesn't mean its going to be consistent . you are relying on someone else . What water do they use , what salt mix , did they change to a different brand of salt. how long has it been since they changed the RODI filters. what salinity do they mix the salt to , is it the same salinity every time . go to bulk reef supply web site , check out their RODI UNITS. they sell entire kits that mount to a sink . everything you need to install and operate . buy a refractometer not a hydrometer, your favorite salt mix and do it yourself . that's the only way you know your getting consistency.

 

[Freakyyfort]

just be careful . Just because its a fish store doesn't mean its going to be consistent . you are relying on someone else . What water do they use , what salt mix , did they change to a different brand of salt. how long has it been since they changed the RODI filters. what salinity do they mix the salt to , is it the same salinity every time . go to bulk reef supply web site , check out their RODI UNITS. they sell entire kits that mount to a sink . everything you need to install and operate . buy a refractometer not a hydrometer, your favorite salt mix and do it yourself . that's the only way you know your getting consistency.

Rodi was the first purchase. Since you can't have a tank without ..ah... water..
Pay themselves off quick as well. Vs buying it from lfs