I'm a bad reefer are one you too ?

[ol'dude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6936312#post6936312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chucksta1
It would seem to me that "how long" would be better put as "how much use". A car needs it's oil changed after "X" ammount of miles, or after so many months, even if the miles are lower than specified in the manual. Conversly, if you put on a lot of miles, you need to change it more often.

If you have a lightly stocked tank with tons of live rock, heavy skimming, etc, how long is it going to be before trace elements are used up? The time and ammount of water change required can't be the same as in a heavily stocked tank.

IMO your analogy is quite close. however different maintenance schedules apply for different driving conditions. If you drive your car every day you no doubt notice when it needs attention just by the way it sounds, drives, etc. A reef is quite similar in this respect just by watching the life within. If it doesn't look quite right, it's time to start checking everything, not adding everything.
Stability is the key which is why many people do far less water changes and adding only the necessary supplements.

 

[skippysmind]

I have a 90 gal reef and go at least 4 months between changes. After my last water change I lost all of my orange Zoas, It's been two months now and it's starting to recuperate.
I have a sump with Chaeto and a great skimmer (EV180) and my water parameters are always perfect.
When i do preform a water change I use Reef Crystals or Red Sea with RO/DI water.
My tank seems to do much better with out water changes!!!