Water change schedule?

[DeepThought]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend why water changes are so important, what do they do exactly, and how often should they be done in an SPS dominated reef? Should the made up water be supplemented to match the display tank? When you do a water change, do you stir up detritus and siphon it out like in a regular mixed reef?

 

[chrisneill1987]

i do 100L once a week on a 450L tank with natral salt water my dispay is ran at same levals as nsw

 

[reefmutt]

Water changes can perform a lot of different functions depending on one's system and parameters.
If nutrients are an issue, they can help reduce them.
If detritus buildup is an issue, yes, one could stir up the crapola and siphon it out.
If one has ionic and or chemical imbalances, freshly mixed salt water can help balance them out.
Having said that, there some who almost never do wcs and have no issues and others who swear by them.
Personally, I like to do (or did and will again, soon) 10% wcs every week or so (2-4 times a month)
A decent salt should mix up to close to normal ocean parameters and should not really need to be tweaked unless one keeps a certain parameter particularly off the scale (although, I'm not sure why one would)
Most sps keepers, I assume, have most of the equipment needed to maintain proper chemical/ionic/nutrient levels that MAY render wcs less necessary but I still think they perform a beneficial function.
I'd compare a water change to opening the front and back door of your house in the spring after a long winter... It's a breath off fresh air..

 

[sponger0]

Water changes do a few things. One great way of exporting nutrients. Replenishes trace elements. Yes, syphon out detritus.

I would do 10%, once a week, and this plus dosing and skimming will keep your system running well.

 

[tagraham]

I don't do normal water changes per say. The only new water that is changed out is my carbon and gfo reactor chambers when I replace them. I use the old water that was in the chambers to rinse the new stuff and put fresh salt water in the chambers befor I put them back on. This dosnt seem like much but i have a small tank 25 gal cube and 5.5 gal sump Also I run a BB display so every 4-5 days befor I change my filter sock I siphon out all the detritus I can get to into my filter sock befor I remove it from the sump this helps keep my display clean and my nutrients low. It's working great for me so far.

All sps tank
One fish
CUC
Cree LEDs x24
2x24watt t-5
Alk9.3-9.5
Cal 435
Mag 1450
Phos <.04
I have had steady consistent growth ans pretty good color tho I guess I could get better

 

[ClownNut]

once a month 50G on a 200g system. heavy skimming, run gfo and carbon.

 

[Ptyochromis]

I do water changes to give my system a dose of micronutes. I don't skim or run mechanical media, only run a wee bit of carbon and rely on chaeto, LR and a DSB for my nitrate reduction. Also drip KH buffer and kalk nightly, parameters pending. My growth rate couldn't be better.

 

[mmfish]

Disposing of tank water on lawn

Disposing of tank water on lawn

Has anyone dumped their tank water outside on the lawn? Some say no way, others say ok. Does it really hurt grass?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Has anyone dumped their tank water outside on the lawn? Some say no way, others say ok. Does it really hurt grass?

Don't do it, the salt kills.