water change, does anyone heat their water?
- Thread starter shrimplover
- Start date
firemedic0135
New member
The refracometer is a good idea. I would recommend doing larger water changes if only changing once every 3 weeks.
I also do not heat my water for changes.
Might I ask how often do you feed?
How many fish do you have(heavy or light bioload)?
What kind of corals do you have?
How much skimmate does the urchin pull daily?
Do you run carbon at times?
What does your reef not do that you want it to?
I also do not heat my water for changes.
Might I ask how often do you feed?
How many fish do you have(heavy or light bioload)?
What kind of corals do you have?
How much skimmate does the urchin pull daily?
Do you run carbon at times?
What does your reef not do that you want it to?
shrimplover
New member
Our tank has changed direction over the last couple of months; We had a nasty case of ich that wiped the slate clean. One sole survivor, any ugly damsel that we never should have added, I tore apart the rock and got him out. We added just one more fish, Atlantic Blue Tang, then 4 years of no death turned into 6 weeks of torture. We were focused on the fish and had a few polyps and leathers just to decorate. The large damsel and Trigger would carry anything new to the front corner of the tank, so we quit trying.
Now we have:
5 chromis, 2 firefish, 1 solar fairy
2 skunk cleaners, 1 coral banded
2 xenia, 2 colt corals, finger leather
star polyps, mushrooms, zoanthids
Nothing fancy but we'd like to see what we can do with our focus on corals, a few smaller fish just to be there.
We feed twice a day, a few pellets of Spectra Thera+A for the wrasse and firefish and a small pinch of flake for the chromis. My husband has a few additives for the corals that he rotates 2 or 3 times per week.
The skimmer pulls out about half a cup of green/brown waste per week. We use ChemiPure in the sump all of the time.
We would like to have a variety of corals. We're still undecided as to which ones, it would be nice to have a local group to discuss where to find good stuff. We have our local place but the staff only has one guy that really knows and he's not always in the mood to teach. So I'm logged in with you guys!! I had an acct long ago but all of the discussions were way over my head. I still try to keep it simple but keep getting pulled in deeper and deeper ...
Thank you for all of your advice
Now we have:
5 chromis, 2 firefish, 1 solar fairy
2 skunk cleaners, 1 coral banded
2 xenia, 2 colt corals, finger leather
star polyps, mushrooms, zoanthids
Nothing fancy but we'd like to see what we can do with our focus on corals, a few smaller fish just to be there.
We feed twice a day, a few pellets of Spectra Thera+A for the wrasse and firefish and a small pinch of flake for the chromis. My husband has a few additives for the corals that he rotates 2 or 3 times per week.
The skimmer pulls out about half a cup of green/brown waste per week. We use ChemiPure in the sump all of the time.
We would like to have a variety of corals. We're still undecided as to which ones, it would be nice to have a local group to discuss where to find good stuff. We have our local place but the staff only has one guy that really knows and he's not always in the mood to teach. So I'm logged in with you guys!! I had an acct long ago but all of the discussions were way over my head. I still try to keep it simple but keep getting pulled in deeper and deeper ...
Thank you for all of your advice
spleify
Premium Member
I would also recommend getting a refractometer.
Before doing a water change, do your top of so your water level is where it needs to be. Then do your 11 out and 11 in, at the same SG that your tank is at.
Mix(and IMO) heat and aerate your water at least 24 hours prior to your water change. If you are mixing in 5 gal buckets, do your self a favor and get a second brute garbage can so you can just mix it all up in one container and heat it all at once. I have a heater, two power heads and an air stone in my salt bucket, and mix it WELL in advance of my water changes.
And like mentioned what exactly are your params?
Before doing a water change, do your top of so your water level is where it needs to be. Then do your 11 out and 11 in, at the same SG that your tank is at.
Mix(and IMO) heat and aerate your water at least 24 hours prior to your water change. If you are mixing in 5 gal buckets, do your self a favor and get a second brute garbage can so you can just mix it all up in one container and heat it all at once. I have a heater, two power heads and an air stone in my salt bucket, and mix it WELL in advance of my water changes.
And like mentioned what exactly are your params?
luther1200
Premium Member
I would also consider bumping up the water changes a bit.
I have never heated my WC water.
I have never heated my WC water.
firemedic0135
New member
I am NO EXPERT but I read on WWM that star polyps/zoa's/mushrooms/leathers can be quite toxic towards each other.They recommended 10% weekly(which is what I follow) water changes.
They say that the star polyp is the most toxic organism in our reef tanks and can poison the water for other softies.
IMO more frequent water changes would be in order.I would change 10 gallons weekly after a 25 gal change one week.Watch for progress then and make further adjustments.
I have the same corals you have in my new 90g and they are growing like crazy.They never did anything either until I started keeping my water changed more often.
They say that the star polyp is the most toxic organism in our reef tanks and can poison the water for other softies.
IMO more frequent water changes would be in order.I would change 10 gallons weekly after a 25 gal change one week.Watch for progress then and make further adjustments.
I have the same corals you have in my new 90g and they are growing like crazy.They never did anything either until I started keeping my water changed more often.
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