LPS water change

[package]

I tried to searches which failed to execute prior to posting this question so sorry in advance if it is a worn out question.

Do not want to get into theories on water change frequency or amounts.........I do a monthly water change and try to do close to 1/4-1/3 of the total tank volume. Unfortunately my new setup has a small sump, to take 30% of the water out of the tank the LPS such as frogspawn, hammer and torch will be exposed to air. In the past my SPS were on the top, I had a large sump, this was not an issue, my new setup has lower wattage light and I do not have SPS, so the LPS are up top.

Can I lower the water level (with the lights off) and expose the LPS for a while to do a water change?

I did it once used a turkey baster to keep the LPS hydrated to some extent but not sure if this practice was OK or if I was just lucky the first time?

 

[seapug]

not a good idea with LPS corals. if disturb them so they contract their polyps it might help, but the bottom line is their polyp structure is not adapted to tolerate exposure to air. The weight of the water they contain can cause them to rupture. Best solution for you is to do smaller weekly or bi-weekly water changes than one large monthly change.

 

[package]

I kind of figured that was the situation. First time it looked as though the water weight was an issue within the polyps.
thanks

 

[bLac2]

I agree, frequent small volume water changes is much better than large volumes rarely. Just an opinion of mine as well as an agreement to Seapug. How has the new water changing done for you? Keep us updated!

 

[scarface70706]

is it possible to put the lps 1/3 of the bottom of the tank? i know you said you have low wattage for lights but i think you would be fine on bringing the corals down some. im using old pc lights on my 90g tank and im well bellow the rule of watts per gallon and they seam to do just fine 1/3 from the bottom.

 

[ivans75]

Don't use x times a week guide to change your water. I don't change my water unless I notice something's wrong with the water parameter. Unless you have problems, i dont think its needed to change water.

By saying this it does not mean it's not necessary. Water change is necessary to replenish many minerals like strontium, kalium and boron. Also when you have heavy load, yes u need to change the water once a month for 10 percent.

I rarely change water and I dose minerals like ca mg sr k and b

 

[goldenfamaliy]

I do about 3 gallons a week on my solana, seems to work out well for me.

 

[WaVe RiDeR]

You could do a "acclimation " type water change mix up your water change water in a bucket and and have a second buckect the same size start to siphon and begin to drain water at the same time start the pump pumping the new fresh salt water into tank and when the fresh water bucket is empty cut the siphon off

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

There is an awesome stickied thread I believe in the responsible reefkeeping forum (could be wrong) showing pictures of many different lps, nems, sps, softies, all out of the water at low tide off the coast of Australia. I'm not saying seapug is wrong at all, because the tissue can rupture (especially if you accidentally hit it whilst water changing), but it normally shouldn't be a huge issue. If you don't want to move them just irritate them just enough so they are deflated and then do your water change. You should have no issue with your tissue then.