Confused about water changes.

[PirateLove]

Hi RC. I am very confused. I have been taking the last 48 hours to get my magnesium, alkalinity, and calcium to proper levels in my tank. I use reef crystals. So if my magnesium is 1400, alk 9.3, and calcium 420 do I have to make sure my water in my brute trash can is to those levels?

Wont I throw everything off with weekly water changes?

thanks :wavehand:

 

[scooter31707]

Yes, that is possible. That's why you see some hobbyist use a salt brand that are close to their parameters, adjusting if necessary. Now another option would be to dose the brute can with Ca and Alk to match your tank parameter.

 

[jason2459]

I would just make sure the temp and salinity is the same and preferably at 1.0265 or 35ppt. If doing small water change just the salinity.

A couple good reads:
Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with Jason, when doing a water change just make sure the temp and sg of the new mix matches the DT.

 

[gone fishin]

FWIW when I do a WC I get the salinity where I want it and I don't worry about matching alk or calc.

 

[CStrickland]

I don't worry about temp unless I'm changing more than 20%. For my regular 10%ers the whole mixing process with the powerhead motor etc gets the water up to like 50 degrees, sometimes higher if I have leftover from last week at room temp. That's not enough to meaningfully affect my DT temp.

 

[leviburns89]

I agree that if you want to maintain those nutrient amounts, you will either need to use a supplement, or use a salt mix that provides said amounts.

 

[Sk8r]

If your chosen salt brand is making it difficult to maintain parameters, consider changing brands. They differ.

 

[leviburns89]

+1 ^^^

Sk8r is one of the leading sources of information on the net to date. Take his/her word to heart.