Why do waterchanges when you can dose?

[Exotic_Reefer0]

JUST CURIOUS to why we have to do water changes when we can dose and use refugium to keep nitrates down? I do 10g every week on a 60g system, these darn 5 gallon buckets are getting annoying lol

 

[tehmadreefer]

Water changes replenish other elements and they are not just to reduce nitrates, lol

in fact. Water changes to control nutrients is a losing battle.

id suggest doing more research in the subject of no water changes.

 

[Iam_Mitch]

JUST CURIOUS to why we have to do water changes when we can dose and use refugium to keep nitrates down? I do 10g every week on a 60g system, these darn 5 gallon buckets are getting annoying lol

I run the Triton method. Dosing the big 3 which also include trace elements. Skimmer and refugium export nutrients. Just need a big enough refugium to grow your macro algae. Water changes are only done when ICP test says to.

 

[JoshH]

JUST CURIOUS to why we have to do water changes when we can dose and use refugium to keep nitrates down? I do 10g every week on a 60g system, these darn 5 gallon buckets are getting annoying lol

Nothing says you HAVE to do water changes, water changes perform a purpose. Replenishing elements and removing excess nutrients and other unwanted waste. Are there other ways of doing this same task, absolutely. Sometimes water changes are easier and cheaper than dosing and testing is so some still opt to stick to that. However it all comes down to what you want to do and what you're happy doing. If dosing and testing is more your style than go for it. It's worth noting that even when you do go the dosing route, water changes can still be an important tool in one's belt for handling issues that can and do eventually come up.

 

[Jvalle]

Hi I have a 200 gallon reef tank and I went without water changes for 2 years just dosing and a large chaeto packed refugium. I was a believer that if your water is good why change it. I also would joke around and say water changes are for rookie reefers lol. As of 6 months ago I started doing 25% water changes just to see if I noticed any differences and my tank looks better than it ever has although it’s always been pristine. Although it’s not always necessary, in my opinion water changes do benefit the tank and coral growth in the long run. I only say this from experience on my tank and everyone’s system is different and you need to do what works for you. Chasing numbers is a misconception at times. I judge my water quality based on how my corals look as an ultimate metric to water quality. Don’t want to upset anyone, I only comment on what works for me thx

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Water changes are cheap and simple, 200 gallons worth of salt nowadays you can buy for $37 free shipping. I doing water changes, you take out the guesswork and replenish always what is needed without much testing. But in my case to balance out the deficiencies we have 70 Pacific oysters which purify most of the water in a 90 gallon volume setup, and water changes are every 3 days approximately 7 gallons. They say the proof is in the pudding check out the pictures.right now from 0 to 10 we are at a 9.5 in simulating the ocean conditions


After commenting here, a day or two ago I was schooled about the quality of salts for marine aquarium. Not all salts are created equal, so today I picked up a hundred and seventy five gallon bucket red Sea coral pro salt, and today I will prepare new saltwater with it. I still believe in regular water changes but you got to do your homework and find out which salt is close to ocean condition.

 

[LRT]

Proper water movement and flow combined with adequate skimming may play a huge role in all of this if you have all things right and stable.
I recently changed my whole system up and added a ton more flow.
Water is getting cloudy today. Probably because I got everything off the top of the water and its mixing back into my system.
Things will dial in if you get it all proper within your system.
Eventually

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Hi I have a 200 gallon reef tank and I went without water changes for 2 years just dosing and a large chaeto packed refugium. I was a believer that if your water is good why change it. I also would joke around and say water changes are for rookie reefers lol. As of 6 months ago I started doing 25% water changes just to see if I noticed any differences and my tank looks better than it ever has although it’s always been pristine. Although it’s not always necessary, in my opinion water changes do benefit the tank and coral growth in the long run. I only say this from experience on my tank and everyone’s system is different and you need to do what works for you. Chasing numbers is a misconception at times. I judge my water quality based on how my corals look as an ultimate metric to water quality. Don’t want to upset anyone, I only comment on what works for me thx

Awesome response, love it. Its cool to see how everyone has different routes for their systems and what works for them!

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Water changes are cheap and simple, 200 gallons worth of salt nowadays you can buy for $37 free shipping. I doing water changes, you take out the guesswork and replenish always what is needed without much testing. But in my case to balance out the deficiencies we have 70 Pacific oysters which purify most of the water in a 90 gallon volume setup, and water changes are every 3 days approximately 7 gallons. They say the proof is in the pudding check out the pictures.right now from 0 to 10 we are at a 9.5 in simulating the ocean conditions

The proof is definitely in the pudding lol

 

[brandon429]

To remove massive clouds of waste held in rocks and sand

 

[Greg P]

The need for WCs is totally dependent on your tank's inhabitants, what you put in and what you remove. Personally, I feel WCs and dosing the Big 3 are most cost efficient with my habits and inhabitants.

Look into The DSR Method (Dutch Synthetic Reefing)

No water changes ?

i’ve come across several articles on tanks with no water changes, is this something that is possible or a pipe dream, if so is anybody currently doing this and any tips that facilitate no water changes,thanks

www.reef2reef.com

Home

The sustainable way of reefkeeping Save time with, No more waterchanges ! Saltwater aquarium has never been so easy before. Our goal is to make reef-keeping transparant and affordable for everyone. Join the growing community of successfull sustainable reefers and start your own coral...

dsrreefing.com

 

[LRT]

The need for WCs is totally dependent on your tank's inhabitants, what you put in and what you remove. Personally, I feel WCs and dosing the Big 3 are most cost efficient with my habits and inhabitants.

Look into The DSR Method (Dutch Synthetic Reefing)

No water changes ?

i’ve come across several articles on tanks with no water changes, is this something that is possible or a pipe dream, if so is anybody currently doing this and any tips that facilitate no water changes,thanks

www.reef2reef.com

Home

The sustainable way of reefkeeping Save time with, No more waterchanges ! Saltwater aquarium has never been so easy before. Our goal is to make reef-keeping transparant and affordable for everyone. Join the growing community of successfull sustainable reefers and start your own coral...

dsrreefing.com

I do believe this is possible with adequate flow and a big enough skimmer to maintain it all taking into consideration how much live stock and flow and skim you have in your system.
I dont believe there is a cut and dry answer here.
However I do believe a formula could be built taking all those things into consideration.

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Nothing says you HAVE to do water changes, water changes perform a purpose. Replenishing elements and removing excess nutrients and other unwanted waste. Are there other ways of doing this same task, absolutely. Sometimes water changes are easier and cheaper than dosing and testing is so some still opt to stick to that. However it all comes down to what you want to do and what you're happy doing. If dosing and testing is more your style than go for it. It's worth noting that even when you do go the dosing route, water changes can still be an important tool in one's belt for handling issues that can and do eventually come up.

Sounds good! Very helpful. Like I said to the other guy, it's cool to see how everyone has different approaches to things in the hobby

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I run the Triton method. Dosing the big 3 which also include trace elements. Skimmer and refugium export nutrients. Just need a big enough refugium to grow your macro algae. Water changes are only done when ICP test says to.

So there’s no debris or film algae in your system? I clean the film algae and stir up the debris in the sump. Take out 15g weekly. Have you ever get a white bucket of water out and it doesn’t look brown or green? Mine does

 

[Iam_Mitch]

I have a filter pad right in the beginning of the sump and another right after the refugium so that catches quite a bit. Sand definitely gets stirred and glass gets cleaned. Everything is doing well so far! I’m sure if I got a white bucket the water wouldn’t be the crystal clear but everything is looking good. No point in me doing a water change right now anyway since Nitrates and Phosphates are at 0 and I’m constantly trying to bring them up. If it was the other way around and my refugium wasn’t exporting enough I’d do water changes.

 

[Chrille26]

To remove buildup of detritus and other gunk that gathers around the rocks and sand, also it feels good to add fresh clear water into the system. Even though I run skimmer, fuge, carbon in reactor and UV I still think new, fresh water makes the fishes and corals happy.

 

[dopey]

If you stop doing water changes because you have a plan, discipline, and proactively monitor/do other measures.. I think probably not a bad idea.

If you stop doing water changes because you don't like them, or can't keep a routine, but don't have a plan/testing/other-routine-activities to ensure your tank is healthy and staying healthy.. I think you are playing russian roulette.

Aside from the benefits of WC, I think the ability to define a routine and maintain the discipline to sustain it over long periods of time is what leads to a successful tank.

I don't think there is some magical nirvana of chemicals, or livestock, you can just put into the tank and have success. Either your time is doing water changes, or doing testing, or other proactive measures to ensure tank stability. Atleast not with the same success rate that those who do maintain a regimen and discipline see.

Bonus rant I think challenging reefing norms is great, but I fear more often than not people seek to believe in these new theories to reduce the 'effort' for keeping a reef tank. I think finding better ways to sustain a reef with less effort is great -- but I think it's dangerous when people chase these 'less effort' methods while also removing the discipline needed to maintain a reef.

my .02 cents

 

[Amado]

I have always depended on water changes.
You need to make water changes easy.
It’s easy to get a system to do auto water change. If your system is setup properly you can do water changes by pressing a button on an app.

Small daily automated water change are best for keeping your tank stable.

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

If you stop doing water changes because you have a plan, discipline, and proactively monitor/do other measures.. I think probably not a bad idea.

If you stop doing water changes because you don't like them, or can't keep a routine, but don't have a plan/testing/other-routine-activities to ensure your tank is healthy and staying healthy.. I think you are playing russian roulette.

Aside from the benefits of WC, I think the ability to define a routine and maintain the discipline to sustain it over long periods of time is what leads to a successful tank.

I don't think there is some magical nirvana of chemicals, or livestock, you can just put into the tank and have success. Either your time is doing water changes, or doing testing, or other proactive measures to ensure tank stability. Atleast not with the same success rate that those who do maintain a regimen and discipline see.

Bonus rant I think challenging reefing norms is great, but I fear more often than not people seek to believe in these new theories to reduce the 'effort' for keeping a reef tank. I think finding better ways to sustain a reef with less effort is great -- but I think it's dangerous when people chase these 'less effort' methods while also removing the discipline needed to maintain a reef.

my .02 cents

Yeah I see what you're saying! Like some equipment makes the hobby less effort. It does remove the discipline, id agree haha. Id also be scared of equipment malfunction which is the dangerous part haha. But hey! I appreciate the response, useful info

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

I have always depended on water changes.
You need to make water changes easy.
It’s easy to get a system to do auto water change. If your system is setup properly you can do water changes by pressing a button on an app.

Small daily automated water change are best for keeping your tank stable.

I saw that apex systems can do that haha. A friend of mine has his system doing that automatically and you can like hear it click on and start the change. Im still a young guy in an apartment but once I get a house(hopefully this year) I can look more into that