Water change technique, would like some constructive criticism

[Chrissypoo]

I currently have a 28 JBJ (soon to be Neo Nano). Here is what I've been doing:

I have a 20 gallon brute in my closet with heated and premixed saltwater. Every morning I use a 1 gallon pitcher and do a 1 gallon water change everyday.

Any thoughts (good or bad) or suggestions?

 

[EllieSuz]

I think that's a grand idea. It's a much higher percentage of new saltwater than the typical 10% weekly often recommended, but I can't see the downside to that. You could also do half a gallon daily and it would still be adequate. When my quarantine tank is set up, I do much the same thing, removing a gallon of water from the QT and replacing it with a gallon from the display tank. How do you take the water out of the nano? Siphon?

 

[Chrissypoo]

I havent really siphoned because I am trying to keep it as quick as possible. Ill take the pitcher fill it up with tank water and dump it back in first to get some detritus up into the column. Then ill take the gallon out for the water change.

Anyone think this could be too much for zoas and other LPS?

 

[BAGGERZ13]

I feel like this is a great post, i was thinking about doing water changes like this once my tank is cycled...now when you add the new water do you use fresh distilled water? From what i understand adding mixed saltwater to the tank during a water change will change the salinity...Sorry i didn't mean to jack your thread here just a quick question is all.

 

[Chrissypoo]

I feel like this is a great post, i was thinking about doing water changes like this once my tank is cycled...now when you add the new water do you use fresh distilled water? From what i understand adding mixed saltwater to the tank during a water change will change the salinity...Sorry i didn't mean to jack your thread here just a quick question is all.

Topping evaporation water with saltwater will raise your salinity, water changes require the use of saltwater or you will drastically lower your salinity.

 

[BAGGERZ13]

Topping evaporation water with saltwater will raise your salinity, water changes require the use of saltwater or you will drastically lower your salinity.

So how do you keep the salinity balanced?

 

[EllieSuz]

Bagger: Set some kind of mark at the desired water level. If you have a sump, that's the place to do it. I use a piece of painter's tape on the outside of my sump. If you do not have a sump, make a mark on your tank in an inconspicuous spot. Add fresh RO/DI water each day to match that mark. This is called "top-off" and it's purpose is to equal the freshwater lost to evaporation. Salt does not evaporate. When you do a water change, you are removing x amount of saltwater and replacing it with the same amount of freshly made saltwater. This replenishes trace minerals consumed by living things in the tank. Our salt mixes contain many of these minerals, although, through rigorous testing, we can identify things the tank needs additionally, such as calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. This is the basic knowledge needed for this hobby and should be learned through reading the stickies at the top of the "New to the Hobby" forum.

 

[kallan]

I have a 22 gallon cadlight tank that I change out about 1-2 quarts a day. I have sexy shrimp in there with rbta, softies and sps and it seems to work for me.

 

[MattFrancis]

I've been doing the same thing as you with my 4 gallon. I take a plastic cup out and replace it with new saltwater daily. I use 1.023 new saltwater and that keeps the salinity in my tank at 1.025 from evaporation. It's perfect.

-Matt

 

[BAGGERZ13]

Bagger: Set some kind of mark at the desired water level. If you have a sump, that's the place to do it. I use a piece of painter's tape on the outside of my sump. If you do not have a sump, make a mark on your tank in an inconspicuous spot. Add fresh RO/DI water each day to match that mark. This is called "top-off" and it's purpose is to equal the freshwater lost to evaporation. Salt does not evaporate. When you do a water change, you are removing x amount of saltwater and replacing it with the same amount of freshly made saltwater. This replenishes trace minerals consumed by living things in the tank. Our salt mixes contain many of these minerals, although, through rigorous testing, we can identify things the tank needs additionally, such as calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. This is the basic knowledge needed for this hobby and should be learned through reading the stickies at the top of the "New to the Hobby" forum.

Okay thank you for the help that helps me understand all of this. I'm doing crazy amounts of research an I try to watch videos but they just tell me what they are testing for and not showing how exactly they are testing. I'm trying to find someone local to me to be able to show me in person all I need to do. Thanks for the help though it is greatly appreciated

 

[iced98lx]

Okay thank you for the help that helps me understand all of this. I'm doing crazy amounts of research an I try to watch videos but they just tell me what they are testing for and not showing how exactly they are testing. I'm trying to find someone local to me to be able to show me in person all I need to do. Thanks for the help though it is greatly appreciated

With a RSM You have a cover, you'll evaporate less. The key is, get a refractometer (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/843/ for example) and some calibration fluid (35ppt, don't use RO/DI water) and check it. I'd check it weekly. How much does it drift? Use a log book or a site like www.aquaticlog.com to keep track. A tank with a full lid like yours (or my biocube) will evap very little. I don't find the need to top off with daily 1 gallon water changes, but if you're doing biweekly or something, you might need to.

Start a thread in "New to the hobby" with any questions you have about reef upkeep, most will be more than glad to walk you through the basics.

 

[brandon429]

Not only is your water change amount ok, it can be done up to 50% daily and this would only benefit the tank more. There is no upper limit. All the old posts and articles that say things about harsh changes and imbalances are wrong, so proceed. The only danger in big water changes are pouring water in too forcefully and kicking up sandbed waste. If you don't do that, there is no upper limit. I change 100% weekly or twice a week in a much smaller tank packed with way more coral.

 

[BAGGERZ13]

Not only is your water change amount ok, it can be done up to 50% daily and this would only benefit the tank more. There is no upper limit. All the old posts and articles that say things about harsh changes and imbalances are wrong, so proceed. The only danger in big water changes are pouring water in too forcefully and kicking up sandbed waste. If you don't do that, there is no upper limit. I change 100% weekly or twice a week in a much smaller tank packed with way more coral.

That really helps put things in perspective for me. Hopefully it does for the OP as well.