What did you learn in 2014?

[bknapp]

I learn that the magic number on water changes is 30% each month as per Randy Holmes Farley

I personally don't think that there is a "magical" amount of water changes, I think consistency with the size and frequency of water changes is more important. Especially with the advances in filtration (pellets, ATS, better skimmers.)

 

[.AcroKiller.]

30% over the month total or 30% single change once a month?

Each month but could also be done through out the month

 

[.AcroKiller.]

I personally don't think that there is a "magical" amount of water changes, I think consistency with the size and frequency of water changes is more important. Especially with the advances in filtration (pellets, ATS, better skimmers.)

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/

 

[bknapp]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/

OK, and?

I stand by my opinion, water changes are done to add, balance or, remove. With dosing and advanced filtration large water changes are no longer needed.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

OK, and?

I stand by my opinion, water changes are done to add, balance or, remove. With dosing and advanced filtration large water changes are no longer needed.

B you are right to a point toxins and some elements add up with time even using carbon and specially if you are doing 2 part you have to do water changes due to ionic balance. At one point the levels are not gonna be balance. Also salinity will climb up after time when using 2 part and eventually you will endup trying to compensate by adding fresh water and then realising that magnesium would start to drop which will force yiu to adjust it there fore salinity climbing again then the chasing battle will begin.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

A small eater change would note change hardly anything same for auto water change daily is not useful

 

[bknapp]

B you are right to a point toxins and some elements add up with time even using carbon and specially if you are doing 2 part you have to do water changes due to ionic balance. At one point the levels are not gonna be balance. Also salinity will climb up after time when using 2 part and eventually you will endup trying to compensate by adding fresh water and then realising that magnesium would start to drop which will force yiu to adjust it there fore salinity climbing again then the chasing battle will begin.

I understand that, but back to what I originally said there is no magic number for this. I'm not saying that water changes aren't beneficial because they are but infrequent large changes aren't needed, in my opinion. Smaller more frequent changes are the ticket.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

The reason I said a magic number was cause study was done and there for 30 % water changes showed after a period of time more beneficial than smaller water changes

 

[bknapp]

The reason I said a magic number was cause study was done and there for 30 % water changes showed after a period of time more beneficial than smaller water changes

That article was published in 2005, the game has changed. I sure as heck don't follow the guidelines set forth back then, do you have a pound of rocks per gallon? I know I don't have 180 pounds of rock.

Consistency is the only form of magic in the reefing hobby.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

That article was published in 2005, the game has changed. I sure as heck don't follow the guidelines set forth back then, do you have a pound of rocks per gallon? I know I don't have 180 pounds of rock.

Consistency is the only form of magic in the reefing hobby.

Yea I feel you I only have about 20 lbs if that on my tank lol. But Brandon I do belive on randys research I have never seen anything from him being wrong. Hell our wonderful so call brs 2 part we love to use he was the one that developed the recipe.

 

[bknapp]

I'm not trying to say that RHF doesn't know what he's talking about, he has forgotten more about chemistry than I'll ever learn.

In my opinion and experience smaller (I do five gallons a week on a 180) more frequent changes along with correct dosing and good nutrient export will lead to success.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Got it

 

[JOKER]

I also would rather do small water changes, I can change 5 gallons and never shut anything off and only takes a few minutes. I am stepping it up a little to remove some nitrate. Tried vodka dosing and don't like how the coral responded.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

I also would rather do small water changes, I can change 5 gallons and never shut anything off and only takes a few minutes. I am stepping it up a little to remove some nitrate. Tried vodka dosing and don't like how the coral responded.

Do you at least remove the waste water before you and start adding the new water right?

 

[NeveSSL]

A small eater change would note change hardly anything same for auto water change daily is not useful

The reason I said a magic number was cause study was done and there for 30 % water changes showed after a period of time more beneficial than smaller water changes

Large water changes are more efficient than smaller ones. To say they're not useful is very inaccurate, even by the article you linked (which I read before setting up my automatic water changes). On average, they're about 4% less efficient if I remember correctly. For me, to oh-so-slightly decrease the inefficiency of automatic water changes, I pump new water directly in front of my return pump so it goes straight into the tank and take out just before the return water gets back to the return pump. How much effect does this have? I have no idea, but it makes me feel a little better. It HAS to be a lot better than having the removal and intake in the exact same spot as that would take a lot of new water out with the old, which would completely defeat the purpose.

I'm fine with them being less efficient. I hate water changes and am fine with doing a gallon or two per day automatically and having consistent water changes done as opposed to having 4% more efficient water changes, but having to spend an hour to do them. At the end of the day, my tank is looking much better with lots of small water changes than it was with no water changes, and that's a good thing.

Brandon

 

[JOKER]

Yes I remove water before putting in.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Large water changes are more efficient than smaller ones. To say they're not useful is very inaccurate, even by the article you linked (which I read before setting up my automatic water changes). On average, they're about 4% less efficient if I remember correctly. For me, to oh-so-slightly decrease the inefficiency of automatic water changes, I pump new water directly in front of my return pump so it goes straight into the tank and take out just before the return water gets back to the return pump. How much effect does this have? I have no idea, but it makes me feel a little better. It HAS to be a lot better than having the removal and intake in the exact same spot as that would take a lot of new water out with the old, which would completely defeat the purpose.

I'm fine with them being less efficient. I hate water changes and am fine with doing a gallon or two per day automatically and having consistent water changes done as opposed to having 4% more efficient water changes, but having to spend an hour to do them. At the end of the day, my tank is looking much better with lots of small water changes than it was with no water changes, and that's a good thing.

Brandon

By removing a gallon per day you are still removing some of the water that you just added the next day. But look guy this is one thing that can go on and on so in the end changing water is always a good thing

 

[NeveSSL]

I never said I wasn't. What I'm saying is the numbers are about 4% different, and I'm more than fine with that tiny bit of inefficiency for the convenience of not having to touch the water changes. That's all. Some people, such as yourself, would rather do them all at once and preserve that 4% difference. Obviously fine.

Just like you said, though, however you do water changes, they're helpful for sure.

Brandon