45gal reef tank, no sump, no filter, Aqua C Remora HOB Skimmer

[new_world_disor]

Yeh loved that tank. Just set up a RSM 130D now.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1501151

Link to old build. Water changes arent essential in my opinion. You replace water as it evsporates.

 

[Miguelh1302]

I think that's the key right there to water changes, u introducing new water as it evaporates

 

[BigJohnny]

Yea but your saying you keep water clear and nitrates/phosphates down with only a skimmer and live rock/sand? AND no water changes? evaporation replacement isn't nearly as significant as a 10-25% water change obviously.

 

[Miguelh1302]

Yea but your saying you keep water clear and nitrates/phosphates down with only a skimmer and live rock/sand? AND no water changes? evaporation replacement isn't nearly as significant as a 10-25% water change obviously.

i get where u coming from, but am sure u know as well that every tank is different, or indeed i need to put my glasses on when looking at it :spin2:

 

[Roadki11]

Looks good. Reminds me of my 29g I ran for 2 years with just a HOB skimmer and very unfrequent water changes. Just topping off as it evaporates and keeping levels in check. This next time around I'm going for a sump though. I credit my previous success to beginners luck.

 

[Miguelh1302]

Roadkill I truly believe the more experience and the more into it that u get, the more **** u want lol, u get bored of the same thing over and over lol

 

[BigJohnny]

Don't you just replace your evaporated water with Rodi water? Like an auto top off?

 

[bmrigs]

I love the simplistic approach. There is one truism that we can conclude from this hobby. We can make it as easy or complex as we want. Enjoy!

 

[Miguelh1302]

Johnny I add 1 gal rodi every 3 days basically because of the surface skimming, rigs u got it my man!!!!!

 

[BigJohnny]

Dope. I'm only going to be running a ro bh2000 on my new 75g mixed reef. Any tips to avoid water changes besides auto top off with rodi? Would I need to dose to replenish minerals not obtained from fresh salt water ?

 

[BigJohnny]

Also what lights/bulbs are you running, love the colors of your tank. Really pops

 

[Miguelh1302]

johnny my lighting is the current orbit led, it works for me really well, but you dont get the growth on sps that you would want, everything else seems to be doing great, as for water changes i just add some vitamins, coral frenzy, alk, and calc, thats it, if you want let me know so i can send u a pic of the products

 

[AUFishGuy]

I am running a similar set up on a 55 gallon and it can absolutely be done but it is a pain. I lose almost a gallon a day, everyday i am having to add fresh water and if a day is missed it is no big deal but it is still a pain. I am upgrading and adding a sump.. actually building it tonight). there are just so many pros to having a sump. it is much easier to keep parameters in your tank constant. Even though small changes in salinity arent the biggest deal i think the goal is till to provide the best environment possible for our livestock. And while i understand how someone could go that long without a real water change i still feel that common sense says that doing at least some small changes, even if only every few months would be a plus for the system.

 

[mcginnisandrew]

Any plans to add trace elements? One of the benefits of regular water changes is that most salt mixes contain trace elements that are necessary to coral health.

 

[Miguelh1302]

Fish guy that makes totally sense, I think at least 2-3 times a year at least 20% change is a good idea. Andrew I do add one from Kent, (sorry, I forgot the name)

 

[Martini5788]

Maybe it's just me but doing water changes every month or so just seems easier to me than dosing all the time

 

[Miguelh1302]

45gal reef tank, no sump, no filter, Aqua C Remora HOB Skimmer

Martini that would be awesome if I would have the time for it lol, but in a serious note, am just having to dose a tiny bit to be honest with u, and is really easy to throw some stuff off with water changes as well

 

[Martini5788]

I understand putting off water changes, I have not figured out a graceful way to do it yet. Once I get done you would think that there was some kind of natural disaster that occurred inside of the house. I wear a bathing suit, gloves, and occasionally goggles haha. But I'm only 5'1, rather clumsy, and have a deep tank

 

[Miguelh1302]

Martini that sounds awful lmao, perhaps a taller ladder?!?!?!

 

[Martini5788]

I use various levels of chairs and stools. The problem is my short arms. And the canopy is attached to the tank, came that way, so the depth of the tank with the canopy is like 30 inches. My husband walks in and is like "we either got robbed or you did a water change". I have to vacuum the sand because my valentini kills all my clean up crew. So it is definitely an experience every time I do a water change. Luckily, we live in base housing( have no choice) and they have those cheap vinyl fake wood flooring so the water doesn't matter. When I do a water change my parrot also uses that time to take a bath in her water dish and gets water everywhere too. So by the time we are done the kitchen, dining area, and living
Room are soaked and trashed. Mantis shrimp is in the kitchen, parrot takes care of the dining area, and the display tank is in the living room. It's fun, not.