Big_Johnson_Pro
New member
is there anyone out there who does not do water changes or rarely does water changes with a successful tank?
No Water Changes
- Thread starter Big_Johnson_Pro
- Start date
blennymower
New member
it really depends......the important thing about an aquarium is exporting nutrients being put in. If you don't do wc then their will be deficiencies in nutrients as your corals use them. If your topping off your evaporated water with tap water the over time h2o will evaporate and leave nutrients from the tap water that will accumulate over time to the detriment of tank inhabitants.
GrimReefer82
Roll Tide!!!
I do water changes of only 5-10 gallons maybe every 6-8 weeks (sometimes alot less) and have had a perfectly healthy reef for years. As long as you are able to keep ALL params in check then I don't see a problem with it. I do water changes based on what the params say....for instance if my nitrates go above 5 ppm, calcium below 380ppm or ph decline, ETC then I will do a small water change. Just enough to fix it nothing more. Obviously I supplement where needed and only use RO/DI water.
Big_Johnson_Pro
New member
sounds to easy... why does everyone put so my emphasis on water changes? don't they test & supplement their tanks? if i'm gunna spend $100 on magnesium powder i'm not about to pull a 4th of it out in next weekend through a water change and have to put mag straight back into it.
Aquarist007
New member
Alot depends on the salt mix you are using---a quality salt mix that is higher in alk, ca and mag etc will allow you to go a little longer between water changes
It also depends on the type of coral---sps demand a "cleaner" water of organics that alot of lps corals do better in.
If you are keeping your parameters in balance using something like 2 part bionics then you can go longer
If you are running a refugium and a deep sand bed then your nitrates will be much lower or not measurable.
all that said---I am running two refugiums and a remote deep sand bed, a 250 msx skimmer, running carbo and phosban and a filter sock----I still find I can go a month then I start seeing a little dirtier sand bed, a touch of red slime algae in remote corners of the tank, a little more green algae on the glass then the snails can handle etc etc----and that seems to go away with a 30 per cent water change
GrimReefer82
Roll Tide!!!
Well water changes is the easiest way for an inexperienced hoddyist to get params in check. Even advanced reefers rely in them just for security. Don't get me wrong water changes are always beneficial but I do beleive that if you can test and supplement your water correctly along with good source water and without treatments and medications it can be done. Like I said water changes are easier but more expensive IMO.
Big_Johnson_Pro
New member
agreed. i spose i'll just monitor my tank and if something goes a rye i'll do a water change, till then... thanks for the in point guys much appreciated
Aquarist007
New member
observation and measurement are very useful skills in this hobby
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
like changing oil in an engine after it seizes up?
what kind of tank?
define success.
I have one aquarium where I change water regularly. It's monitored closely.
I have one aquarium that hasn't received a water change in over a year. It's doing great.
One has Acropora growing in it and in the other you couldn't keep an Acro alive for 24 hours.
Aquarist007
New member
:lol: true but hilariously stated
luther1200
Premium Member
The main reason i really do them is to gravel vac my SSB and my refugium 3-4" sand bed. Aside from that I just do more than normal if I have an issue or my tank doesn't look right. But as long as your new water change water parameters are correct you don't have to worry about it dropping any of your levels. It will usually raise your Ca/Alk/Mag levels, at least mine do with Reef Crystals.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
they claim laughter is the best medicine 
anyways (like anything in life) you only get out of something what you put into it. IMO/IME it's fairly easy to spot a reef aquarium that receives at least regular partial water changes and one that doesn't receive them at all. Water changes are one of the simplest most effective tools for an aquarist to use in order to maintain a reef aquarium- even if you have test kits for calcium, alkalinity, Mg, etc. etc. etc. and supplement for their depletion.
In short:
water changes keep your aquarium "soup" from getting too unique
anyways (like anything in life) you only get out of something what you put into it. IMO/IME it's fairly easy to spot a reef aquarium that receives at least regular partial water changes and one that doesn't receive them at all. Water changes are one of the simplest most effective tools for an aquarist to use in order to maintain a reef aquarium- even if you have test kits for calcium, alkalinity, Mg, etc. etc. etc. and supplement for their depletion.
In short:
water changes keep your aquarium "soup" from getting too unique
Big_Johnson_Pro
New member
once parameters are correct and you do a water change is it expensive to get them back to what they should be?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
it doesn't have to be.
Ever see gold plated sink fixtures?
You can always spend lots of money if you're so inclined.
here's a free online calculator. Use this to adjust levels:
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
downhillbiker
New member
I do "quarterly-quarter" water changes. meaning every 3 months I do 25% water change. I have a very successful mixed reef that usually shocks people when they see the tank. I dose kalkwasser in my ATO, and dose 2 part accordingly every couple weeks. I usually maintain ca at 440-460 and dKH at 10-11. pH constant thanks to kalk, and all is good.
BuddhaKiss
Active member
Depends on livestock as well I suppose. A 90 G with one perc requires less water changes than the same tank with 10 percs.
downhillbiker
New member
This is very true, but it isn't determined which trace elements the corals "need" if any. The air has many trace elements too, and we dont use most of them. I am not saying you are wrong or right, I am just saying we dont know.
