25% weeky water change too much?

[Mandrew]

I have a 60g aquarium with sand and rock so less than 60g volume. My friend suggested I change 15g a week. I'm having some cyano problems and I've been changing 12g every other week. What do you all think?

 

[Mandrew]

No sump, and a HOB skimmer

 

[Arnel0387]

It's fine. Just make sure it's the same temp as your display tank bec. You don't want any fluctuations. But you're very limited on types of fish/corals you can keep with just a HOB.

 

[Mandrew]

The skimmer does a great job. I just thought 25% a week could remove beneficial bacteria too quickly

 

[Calappidae]

The bacteria is in the rock, sand, and bio-filtration. Check you nitrates and phosphates, also cyano loves to grow in dead spots where water flow is minimum.

 

[Mandrew]

The cyano I have mostly grows on the back glass. It's like the only place I really get it. An I know there is flow because the strands of cyano move in the current lol

 

[terrypercula]

It might be unnecessary but certainly not the worst thing you can do ha just keep in mind Cyano bacteria stems from high nutrients and is fueled by light. It also is prevalent in dead spots as stated by clappidae

 

[Calappidae]

Any pics?

My Cyano never touched the glass despite how close it was growing there.. instead it spread in the opposite direction. You might have diatoms/film algae instead.

Whether its diatoms or cyano, it will go away on it's own later on. Film algae might need some CUC assistance.

 

[Mandrew]

I just bought a big CUC from reefcleaners.org hoping it would help the problem. The CUC is doing a great job on every side of my tank except the back =\ which is where it all grows. I'm at work so I can't get any new pics but ill share my most recent one. Keep in mind its much worse on the back glass now than it will be in the photo

 

[Mandrew]

This is a few days ago

 

[Calappidae]

Cyano you can pick up like a carpet (only for it to grow back in a few hours..).

Diatoms can bearly be scraped off with your finger nail.

Its not film thats for sure.


They sell red slime remover (for cyano) thats perfectly reef, fish, and invert safe.
Diatoms will go away on their own as the tank establishes more.

 

[Mandrew]

That red slime remover is sketchy tho. You can't run a skimmer for like 3 days after

 

[Calappidae]

That red slime remover is sketchy tho. You can't run a skimmer for like 3 days after

Not this stuff.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Ultralif...r_Medications-Ultralife-UL1311-FIMERM-vi.html

Description says DO NOT turn off UV or Ozonizer and to leave the skimmer on (although it may need adjusting)

 

[Mandrew]

Thanks ill look into that

 

[ivar85]

I think 25% weekly is way to much : /

 

[Mandrew]

Me too!

 

[ifarmer]

unless the tank has issues and you want to do large water change to fix the problems.
Otherwise a 25% weekly is unnecessary.

 

[Mandrew]

This is a pic from this morning.

 

[mpeaden2]

Everyone is going to tell you what works best for them. There's no right or wrong answer here. I believe if a tank is setup properly, scheduled water changes are unnecessary.

 

[Calappidae]

10-30% is the recommended range for water changes weekly on reef setups, but like said above there are many factors that can overrule that.