water changes help

[pentrix2]

When I do my 20% water change every 2 weeks. The water I am using is from my Typhoon III Extreme RO/DI. After I mix the salt in and let it sit with my heater on. Is there any type of chemical I need to put in the water before I use it to do the water change?

I was thinking to clean my skimmer every time I do a water change. Is this recommended or not needed?

 

[stingythingy45]

Depending on if you have corals or just fish would determine if you add anything like alk,mg or calcium additives.
Also,a good "reef"salt will have these parameters close already.
It's always a good idea to clean your skimmer.Especially if it's a venturi type skimmer.
But,I'd just watch the performance and clean when that changes.

 

[Chris27]

Salt mix should be all you add to the bucket....unless you're targeting specific concentrations of alk, calcium or mag.....in which case add as you see fit.

As for the skimmer, don't worry about taking the entire thing out of the sump to clean it twice monthly. Clean the collection cup weekly, and once monthly heat up some water in the microwave and allow the venturi to pull the water through, this will keep it nice and clean. 2-3 times a year you can pull the skimmer out and give it a thorough cleaning in a mild vinegar solution.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

The only way to know if you need to supplement calc, alk or mag is to test your water.

 

[pentrix2]

i just have a bta and a couple of fishes. i will do the 20% water changes using RO/DI and clean the collection cup when I change the water.

Everytime I changed water it worried me to a point I didn't get a good night sleep because I was worried was I doing the water changes correctly.

thank you all for your help. Now I sleep better, and my fishes too.

 

[briankmarsh1980]

just make sure you mix salt long enough for the PH to balance out I wait 12 hrs min but I prefer 24 hrs of mixing before water changes, the cleaner the skimmer cup the better it works I think, and I clean my whole skimmer every 6 months