Water Changes

[bolo1904]

Other than keeping nitrates and phosphates in check, what other benefits are there to do water changes?
My nitrates and phosphates for the past few weeks have been at 2ppm and .04ppm(using Salifert and Hanna). Actually they are very slowly dropping. I'm just afraid to get down to double zero. What negative effects are there if I reduced the frequency of water changes? I was doing 10% weekly. I don't want to dose nitrates and phosphates. I've increased feeding but not sure if its working. i'll probably also start turning off my skimmer for a bit too.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Water changes also help replenish minerals in the water like calcium, magnesium, and potassium! Maybe iodine, but I’m not sure on that one.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Yep there are a number of trace elements included in reef salts that we maintain through water changes (although there are products you can dose if you choose to ditch the water changes)

 

[bolo1904]

i have a softie tank. Don't really run low on other nutrients. But if i do need, i dose calcium and magnesium once in awhile mainly to help with coralline

 

[xxkenny90xx]

i have a softie tank. Don't really run low on other nutrients. But if i do need, i dose calcium and magnesium once in awhile mainly to help with coralline

Cal and mag are easily dosed, the trace elements I was referring to are these (but in a softie I'm not sure how worried about it I'd really be)

 

[Kryptonian]

In a similar situation where I’m doing about 5% water change weekly but dosing potassium, iodide, iron, calcium, alk, mag, and trace elements.

 

[ichthyogeek]

There was something about strontium, molybdenum, and iodine that were important for softie growth I think...

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

I believe water changes purpose is not only to maintain phosphates and nitrates. But also, it provides a "freshness" in the water by eliminating spent food (detritus) and dead bacterial cells.