water changes

[jwhitlow1031]

how important are water changes. i am running a skimmer 100 percent of the time?

 

[markandkristen]

thats the million dollar ?
i try... to do mine every week like 5%.
some on here have boasted about going as long as 6 months. on a reef system with sps and etc. i would recommend the 5% weekly.
if your doing FO then i would just check your levels everyother week and go from thier

 

[Blown 346]

Water changes in my opinion are very important. They will replace all the old trace elements that were used up by corals, and will improve water clarity, healthier livestock.
Plus you will be removing organics along with it.

 

[jdieck]

5% to 10% per week will be my recomendation unless your system bioload is very small. For really heavy bioloads 15% will be my chore.

 

[Fast Fred]

I'll agree with the 10-15% per week. Keeping a tank healthy with water changes is a lot easier and cheaper than trying to fix problems associated with a lack of water changes.

 

[jwhitlow1031]

well i have a few soft corals...im going to try to do about 10% once a week or so, i have a 54 gallon so i think im going to do maybe 6 or so gallons a week. when doing the changes what is the best method for taking out the old water and adding the new?

 

[Fast Fred]

I'm sure there are many 'best' ways of doing it, depending on who you ask. My tank is barebottom, so I use a homemade vaccuum siphon to remove detritus and siphon it into a 20g Brute trash can. It's a piece of 1/2" PVC pipe with 6' of vinyl hose attached to it. I also have a 20g tub that I mix the new water in. I use a small powerhead to transfer the water from the tub to the sump.

 

[supertech3]

I have a less sophisticated approach. I fill up small jugs(1 g) with the old water and use it for cleaning equipment.The new water is mixed about 36 hours before using and brought up to tank water temp to avoid shock when adding.

 

[old salty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6571992#post6571992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fast Fred
I'll agree with the 10-15% per week. Keeping a tank healthy with water changes is a lot easier and cheaper than trying to fix problems associated with a lack of water changes.

I agree with this 100%. An ounce of prevention....

I don't use a skimmer, so WC's are probably more important for me as a way to export toxins and wastes.

 

[Ti]

never hurts to do one, as long as the new water is good and clean.

 

[wrkinreef]

such a range on info about water changes, I myself do a 30% water change about 4xs a year weather it needs it I dont no. Call me a bad reefer but it works for me. But this has worked for years for me

 

[mhhauser]

A regularly scheduled water change is important, it gives the tank new water, and helps lower your nitrate level. The amount of water you take out depends on your tank size.

 

[jwhitlow1031]

wait, mhhauser, do u even have a salt water tank?

 

[AJ69]

5>10 % Biweekly depending on your bioload,always check SG / T on both(tank vs new water) before adding it.
My .02 cents

 

[cato]

I like 10% every other week. From what I gather it's mainly about getting into a routine and making it habit. Some most common I see are...

1) 5% weekly
2) 10% weekly
3) 10% every other week

Not so sure there is a right answer though