So quick specs on my tank is its a 120g sps dominated reef, I run a CalRx, small refugium, a 40w uv(bulb hasn't been changed in over a year). Medium bioload(three medium tangs and 8 other small fish) and I skim pretty heavy with a vertex 180. No other filtration. No filter socks, no floss, no carbon, no gfo etc. The tank is about a year and a half old now I think and its been doing great for the last 8-9 months.
As for water changes, I did religious large water changes for the first year. Approximately 20-30 gallons every two weeks, because if I didn't do them my sps would suffer and I would start getting algae issues. At around the 8-9 month mark when everything was stable and no equipment changes were being made, I started doing smaller WC and the times in between them stretched out a bit with no negative affects.
About 4 moths ago I decided to let the tank go for a while and see how it responded without a water change. Everything did great, amazing growth, great PE, my alk/cal consumption was at an all time high etc. Then about 2 month in I decided to do a water change. Not for any reason, just cause I figured it would help with the trace elements and what not. Did a 20g WC just as I have done many times before, same salt, same parameters etc.... The tank didn't like it though. It took about 3-4 days to see normal PE and alk consumption and I had two small acros bleach out.
So here I am, two months later. Tank is doing great, I keep needing to up my Co2 cause everything is growing like crazy, colors are great, PE great etc. Yet I am still wondering, should I do a water change or should I just leave it alone? And if I leave it alone, what should I be looking for before I do decide to do a water change?
before anyone asks..... I don't test nitrates, nitrites, phosphates etc. I did when my tank cycled and then after that I was doing it every once in a while but found myself just chasing numbers so I stopped. I primarily just test Alk. Normally about 3-4 times a week but sometimes calicum and magnesium as well.
Additionally I can not keep many softies alive. Most zoas melt, my colony of duncans grow but rarely ever extend and the amount of flow I have would rip up most fleshy stuff so I don't even try.
As for water changes, I did religious large water changes for the first year. Approximately 20-30 gallons every two weeks, because if I didn't do them my sps would suffer and I would start getting algae issues. At around the 8-9 month mark when everything was stable and no equipment changes were being made, I started doing smaller WC and the times in between them stretched out a bit with no negative affects.
About 4 moths ago I decided to let the tank go for a while and see how it responded without a water change. Everything did great, amazing growth, great PE, my alk/cal consumption was at an all time high etc. Then about 2 month in I decided to do a water change. Not for any reason, just cause I figured it would help with the trace elements and what not. Did a 20g WC just as I have done many times before, same salt, same parameters etc.... The tank didn't like it though. It took about 3-4 days to see normal PE and alk consumption and I had two small acros bleach out.
So here I am, two months later. Tank is doing great, I keep needing to up my Co2 cause everything is growing like crazy, colors are great, PE great etc. Yet I am still wondering, should I do a water change or should I just leave it alone? And if I leave it alone, what should I be looking for before I do decide to do a water change?
before anyone asks..... I don't test nitrates, nitrites, phosphates etc. I did when my tank cycled and then after that I was doing it every once in a while but found myself just chasing numbers so I stopped. I primarily just test Alk. Normally about 3-4 times a week but sometimes calicum and magnesium as well.
Additionally I can not keep many softies alive. Most zoas melt, my colony of duncans grow but rarely ever extend and the amount of flow I have would rip up most fleshy stuff so I don't even try.
