Water changes.

[Nmaran72]

What are your thoughts on water changes. Daily, weekly, bi weekly or monthly. My tank is fairly new going they the last algae bloom and I want to do a good regiment of maintenance

 

[Crabs McJones]

I prefer weekly 10% total water volume changes

 

[Duffer]

me so far i do a water change bi weekly about 20%

 

[WVNed]

Weekly 25%.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I do them about every 3 weeks. I dose to keep alk and cal stable and no3 po4 are never an issue. So water changes are just to remove any untestables and replace minor trace elements.

 

[Midrats]

10%/month

 

[Waters]

I now do continuous auto changes, but for the last couple of years I did 12% water changes weekly.

 

[Doctorgori]

The optimal amount of water to change was examined by FAMA I think back in the 80's. Setting practical vs optimal aside for a second, it turned out this was a regression problem involving dilution vs. replacement; that is some stuff you want diluted, some stuff needs replenishment. Water changes do both ....Anyway if you think about it; changing 3% daily is not the same as a single 21% per week ...
I can't recall all the math and arguments, just know there is a difference.... anyway to sum it up, if I recall it was that single larger H2O changes are more effectively dilutive than smaller/more frequent, but obviously less stable...
I am going to try the DOS but maybe do 5-10% weekly