NO water change if all levels zero?

[ibanezboy]

Hey everyone. I've had some Reefscience rock in a brand new tank. Came with some zoanthids, and other polyps yet to ID. Coraline algea has been stable, maybe receding a bid. But my ammonia and nitrates consistently read zero for over a week now.

Is this common?

Also, I've done no water changes as there has been no excessive toxins I can ID. is this okay, or should I change some water anyway?

thanks!
joe

 

[Shagsbeard]

Water changes are not only to remove stuff... you add minerals that are depleted by the life in the tank... minerals that they need to survive. Water changes should be ~5-10%/week regardless of the condition of the water in the tank.

You should also run your tests on something that has ammonia and nitrate in it to make sure you are not getting a false reading. Some diluted urine would be an excellent test.

 

[Blown 346]

You might not get a reading of Ammonia etc. if the rock you added was really cured. From the sound of things the rock was really cured and established.

 

[bureau13]

I know a lot of people with established tanks don't do anywhere near a 5-10%/week water change. Now, I can't say if that's good or bad, but any negative effects don't seem to have had much if any visible impact, as some of those tanks are quite impressive. I would say a new tank is more likely to need them regularly, but generally I would expect nitrates to be building up as well in that case.

jds

 

[akrimmel]

all is true for the most part.

 

[chrisstie]

Since there are about 70 substances commonly found in sea water and we usually only test around 5 of them... I'd do a water change to keep the natural balance of everything

 

[akrimmel]

frequent water changes will help[ with being more in balance that is.