I know that once I get my tank set up, I will be able to do water changes every 3 weeks for sure (my schedule is such that I don't know for sure if I will be able to do it more often than that). I a water change once every 3 weeks enough? If not I am not sure that I can set it up. As far as I know there is no aqurium service around here.
Water changes
- Thread starter Jericho
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You can buy automated water change systems or build one there is a lot of great info on this site just do a little research Happy Reefing
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People do water change when they can so every three weeks is fine. Some do water changes every 6 month. By no means am I saying you can. I'm just saying you are ok with every three weeks.
I am looking at doing between 100g and 125g tank w/sump. I am planning on using a protien skimmer, UV staralizer, and possibly a calcium reactor when everything is done. I will have a refugium tank also. I am planning on having a reef tank, but I have not yet decided if it will be a FO tank first with corrals to come. Does this help give you the info you need to help?
Don't need a uv sterilizer unless you do a FO. IMO
Tenor
Well-Known Member
It will be ok for 3 weeks water change with those equipment you plan to have.
Trex
Valuable Member
Thinking out loud --- if you can't do a water change but every 3 weeks, how would you be able to run a full reef tank?
I can do a water change in less than 20 minutes, which could be about the time to do weekly tests.
I can do a water change in less than 20 minutes, which could be about the time to do weekly tests.
k2parkstar
Z&P Snob
Don't use a UV sterilizer on a reef tank especially with a refuguim,you'll sterilize all your good bacteria. I also agree that if you don't have time for water changes you dont have time for a reef tank. Your tank will need at least 10-20 minutes of your time a day. I'm not a fan of water changes any less often than two weeks IMO. The swings your tank will go through from larger water changes will affect your tank. Stability is the biggest factor for success in this hobby IMO.
Trex
Valuable Member
I wouldn't worry about a UV sterilizer doing anything to the good bacteria in our tanks -- there is very little (( to none )) of the good bacteria within the water column -- they are found on/in the rocks and sandbed.
I can do them in the three week period, just not on a regular schedule. I work 2 weeks on and am on call during those 2 weeks. I don't know when I am going out or when I will be home. When I get home I do get 10 hours off guaranteed, but don't know when it will happen. I have family that will help with regular maintance, but my wife won't do water changes. So the only regular, scheduled water changes would be three weeks. I can do smaller ones in between, just don't know when. Do they all have to be regular and on a schedule?
Trex
Valuable Member
Of course on schedule is better, doing them (( at least )) every 3 weeks should be fine -- though I would think about stocking slower and less for the first 6 months or so -- to see how your tank handles your schedule.
Tabasco1
Valuable Member
If you can set a schedule to do your main wc every 3 weeks and you can attend to your tank and do small ones in between, I think you will be fine. I like to siphon out detritus between my wc a couple times and I get about a half gallon of water there (my system is only 20g so on a 100 you would probably get closer to 1-2g with a siphoning in between). Heck you put enough of those together and you don't even have to worry about the big one 
. But you still should. 
The added bonus with the minis is that it really helps (me anyway) really spend time with my tank and check everything out.
I agree that you don't really NEED a UV unless you are planning to keep ich prone fish and not going to qt.
. But you still should. The added bonus with the minis is that it really helps (me anyway) really spend time with my tank and check everything out. I agree that you don't really NEED a UV unless you are planning to keep ich prone fish and not going to qt.
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beaslbob
2500 Club Member
Water changes will limit changes in the tank but no prevent. things like nitrates and phosphates will still build up and others like calcium/alk/.magnesium will stil go down.
that is unless you can do a 100% change every day or so with perfect water.
To me what is important is to balance out the tank to limit or even prevent the changes. If that can be done then water changes are actually irrelevant.
So I balance out the tank with plant life (macro algaes) and use the diy two part method to dose calcium/alk/magnesium.
but that's jsut me and my .02
jason2jason
New Member
Yeah mate every three weeks is fine this is what I do all the time, I wouldn't do any sooner as I believe its better for the water to mature a little so three weeks or even up to four weeks is fine. but then does depend on size of tank, as mine is 5 foot.
I've heard that the smaller the tank the time frame between water changes is smaller so a nano tank would be approx every one to two weeks max. Yes if you have a five foot like mine three to four weeks is fine but do a 25% water change minimum. I would love a ten foot tank and that is going to be my next project tank, water change once a month or up to six weeks but 30% and that would be a lot of water for that size. anyway let us know what you are doing with water changes and dont be scared to éxperiment with different water change times as no one is perfect and most of us are sometimes one or two weeks overdue for a water change as it does happen when you have busy life. Enjoy marine life as it will take over your life.))
I've heard that the smaller the tank the time frame between water changes is smaller so a nano tank would be approx every one to two weeks max. Yes if you have a five foot like mine three to four weeks is fine but do a 25% water change minimum. I would love a ten foot tank and that is going to be my next project tank, water change once a month or up to six weeks but 30% and that would be a lot of water for that size. anyway let us know what you are doing with water changes and dont be scared to éxperiment with different water change times as no one is perfect and most of us are sometimes one or two weeks overdue for a water change as it does happen when you have busy life. Enjoy marine life as it will take over your life.
))
If you have an over sized skimmer, a refugium, and stable ca/alk, you can get away with it no problems. You will absolutely need a controller if you can only do water changes that often, or someone will have to dose ca/alk almost every other day. Calcium reactors can be unsafe and OD your tank without a controller also, so definitely a must.
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Its amazing what water changes can do to your tank. I've had trouble with cyano since my new tank was started, and after countless water changes (bringing my salinity back up from hypo) my tank has never looked better.
