Why do waterchanges when you can dose?

[Amado]

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

You don’t need an apex. I have it setup that way. But you can do it with any doser.

You can buy a jebao doser 2 Chanel
And setup to take dirty water out on one Chanel and clean water in on the other channel.

Jecod DP-2 Programmable Auto Dosing Pump, 2 Channel

 

[Iam_Mitch]

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

I agree, I can do a 15% water change on my 125g in about 10 minutes with my set up and always have water ready to go. With Triton method, I find myself doing more testing and spending more time on the tank to make sure parameters are on point and dosing those that are off. I like the idea behind it though and excited to see where it goes. Easy to switch back to regular water changes, if need be.

 

[X-37B]

I run a, no scheduled water change system.
Their is no zero water change systems as some must be added to replace skimmer loss, when fragging, cleaning tank and sump of detrius.
It is typically done by people who have been in the hobby for some time and understand the chemistry of their system.
I setup my tank to run this way from day one.
This is one of the most argued methods in the hobby. Hard to change what has been done forever.
I dose trace elements every day by hand and thats it.
Carx, skimmer, filter sock, small carbon reactor, good lighting, good in tank water movement, and reugular testing.
I test alk about every other day because its fast and keeps me in the know on my system.
Ca and mag maybe once a month.
Po4, no3, maybe once a month.
It is a very simple system that requires minimal time.
Adding h20 to my ato twice a week is really the most work I do.
I can, after running for 6 months, know what my alk is by looking at my effluent before testing.
My bubble rate does not change and only requires a look also.
Anyway thats my take on it.

 

[Back where it all began]

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.

Are you using the Triton made products or are you using other reagents?

 

[hart24601]

I echo most the other comments here, while people have sure been successful without waterchanges for the price they not only replenish trace elements, but keep potentially toxic trace elements for accumulating depending on the input of those elements. Think of trace elements as being things you want, but not too much of. Like taking one aspirin for a headache vs a whole bottle. There is a sweet spot. For very large tanks WC get expensive, but for most of us they are a cheap method and have been proven time and again. Even if adding an automatic waterchange system the cost still is relatively low compared to many systems and expenses in the hobby.

 

[Iam_Mitch]

Are you using the Triton made products or are you using other reagents?

All Triton.

 

[ArizonaAquatics]

Haven't done a water change in over a year. Check out my build thread if you want to see the tank! Here's the method I've been using that seems to work well for me (250 gallon reef):

I established how much I need to dose using all redsea products from alk to trace elements A-D. These supplements contain all 31 necessary elements for corals so I know that will be covered.

Obviously the next issue would be nitrate/phos. Initially I was only dosing Nopox to control them, but once the levels became manageable I switched to running chaeto in a refugium. Since then I only dose 3 ml of Nopox to the system to feed the bacteria and the chaeto does the rest.

Finally, and most importantly, ICP TESTS!! I usually do them once a month to check on things and adjust accordingly.

If you can keep up on these things (or find what works for you), then you won't need to lug as many jugs!

 

[WallyB]

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've followed threads where folks have gone super scientific to maintain Water Parameters without Water Change.
They succeeded with Unbelieveble success. Very impressive.
Even better than no water changes, since they replenished and kept all elements optimal. Some even boosted.

Very complex maintenance, testing, and adjustments. Painful testing of all trace elements, minor and major.

In many observations they eventually Crashed the tank, one way or another. Usually with some kind of Toxin, or overdose, or something gone astray.

So as painful as water changes may feel its actually the easier way to keep your Salt Water Optimal. Still need dosing if you have Demanding Coral Load.

Less expensive too, when you consider the additives and test kits needed for no Water change method.

If you hate the proces of Manual Water Changes. The Automate it. Plenty of options and also DIY.

 

[Jax15]

Definitely don't have to, for me it's more of a fail-safe. Just another tool in the kit to keep elements stable, nutrients exporting, and balance out any other "non-testables." Of course I do it daily with AWC, so it really is akin to having a refugium/skimmer etc.. always on, always working.

 

[ahiggins]

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’m the exact opposite-why dose when you can just do a water change and keep it in check. Less equipment, less money invested (for corals obviously), less headache about a dosing pump going on the fritz, less worry about getting the exact ratios of dosing...should I go on? Haha

 

[esther]

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.

Same here!

 

[WallyB]

I’m the exact opposite-why dose when you can just do a water change and keep it in check. Less equipment, less money invested (for corals obviously), less headache about a dosing pump going on the fritz, less worry about getting the exact ratios of dosing...should I go on? Haha

I agree (for smaller tanks)...., however with any larger tank it's not easy to keep all parameters in check like (Alk & Calcium) IF you have demanding corals.
Would just take too much water change volumes and frequency.

Recently I saw a post where a gent was doing 100% water changes on a Jar Tank full of Corals. That's cool and actually works. I'm thinking of try it with a Jar full of shrooms or something.

 

[ahiggins]

I agree, however not easy to keep all parameters in check like (Alk & Calcium) IF you have demanding corals.
Would just take too much water change volumes and frequency.

For sure although I’ve never experienced the need for dosing in my tanks. I’ve never kept sps so that could be it. My lps haven’t really show much of a spike in uptake. Guess I’ll count myself lucky lol

 

[WallyB]

For sure although I’ve never experienced the need for dosing in my tanks. I’ve never kept sps so that could be it. My lps haven’t really show much of a spike in uptake. Guess I’ll count myself lucky lol

Again I agree. I have a NON SPS TANK. I dose, but 1/50th of what my SPS tank needs.
I actually use reused-Water from the SPS tank into the LPS Tank for water changes.

Like this. By Automated Water Changer. (SPS tank get new water. Frag Tank gets SPS water, LPS tank get oldest water)
Every 5-6 months I do a SMALL new Water Change on the LPS/mixed tank since it kind of starts to droop.

 

[ahiggins]

Holy plumbing

Again I agree. I have a NON SPS TANK. I dose, but 1/50th of what my SPS tank needs.
I actually use reused-Water from the SPS tank into the LPS Tank for water changes.

Like this. By Automated Water Changer. (SPS tank get new water. Frag Tank gets SPS water, LPS tank get oldest water)

 

[Plecosam]

Same here!

Not here!

 

[WallyB]

Holy plumbing

No its simple airline hose. 1 Gallon every day.

Like this before I installed the DIY water changer.

 

[ahiggins]

Nice Gumby

 

[jda]

I don't want to work as hard as is needed to adequately not do water changes over the long term. DSR and many other "systems" are plenty viable, but most of them spend more money and time than I do on water changes.

 

[ArizonaAquatics]

I’m the exact opposite-why dose when you can just do a water change and keep it in check. Less equipment, less money invested (for corals obviously), less headache about a dosing pump going on the fritz, less worry about getting the exact ratios of dosing...should I go on? Haha

Yes go on haha. For people with larger tanks, 2 things come into play:

1: water changes are much more time consuming and labor intensive than with smaller tanks.

2: I honestly prefer to keep my water stable versus running the risk of accidentally putting improperly mixed saltwater into my tank for a water change. Since I don't usually buy saltwater from the store, I make it myself. Which is more labor..

Just a couple thoughts