water changes

[mattsilvester]

Hi guys,

I've always been a fan of regular water changes. But I've also always considered myself more of a "fish keeper" rather than "reef keeper".

On my new tank, I hope (with time) to have an sps type tank. Well the truth is that I am not sure if I will ever progress to that level as far as corals go - but none the less, I am planning for that in terms of my equipment etc.

Skimmer is going to be a deltec ap702 (probably). I already have the deltec auto top off unit and RO unit. I plan on getting a kalk stirrer and calcium reactor (sized correctly, deltec most likely). There will also be a decent sized refugium with a DSB and 24/7 lighting and macro (currently planned at about 24"x21", but I am looking at trying to fit in something double that size).

The tank will be well stocked in terms of fish population, and feeding will be heavy, for a reef tank (not heavy as in half a dozen lionfish and triggers).

My question is, how much and how often would you plan to do water changes? My reason for asking is that I am trying to plan my system such that I will have a semi automated water change system..... that is turn a couple of valves, wait a few minutes and turn them back.... I just wanna try and size it right,

Thanks for your input.

Matt

 

[alan214]

I think the "rule" is something like 15-20% every 2 weeks. I wish I did mine that often!

 

[davidryder]

how big is your tank? i would recommend 10-15% every 2 months. there are some people on here that will recommend something like 5% weekly, or 20% monthly, but doing water changes super frequently is going to burn you out and there are even a lot of discussions on how often and how much water changes are beneficial.

the better filtration equipment you have (skimmer, refugium, etc), the less frequently you probably have to do them.

 

[samtheman]

I suggest you size your sump to be at least 20% of your tank. Just shut the system down, pump the sump to drain. Refill with new water and turn main pump back on. In the one I set up, I use a series of valves. On position fed water from the main pump to the system. THe second valve caused the pump to go to a drain. The third valve allowed fresh water to flow by gravity into the sump.

 

[mattsilvester]

Thanks for your input guys……….

samtheman,
The system I am thinking is to install an overflow with a shut off valve in the sump. This overflow would correspond exactly with the level of the auto top off valve. When water change time comes I would pump the water into the display tank, and open the overflow on the sump. I know in theory I would be sending a percentage of new water to the drain, but in all likelihood it would be a very small percentage. The max “wasted” fresh water for a 20% change would be 20% of 20%....... but that would be if all the water completely and thoroughly mixed instantaneously, and was scooped out all in one go…… in reality it is going to be allot less than that ….. maybe 5% of the “new” water will overflow down the drain…... which I could live with. That would equate to â"šÂ¬3 of salt per â"šÂ¬65 bucket….. at approx 3 buckets a year, that’s less than â"šÂ¬10 wasted….. and allot of convenience gained……. And I hope to be doing less than 20% a month…… 10% would be nice!

Thanks for your input guys……….

Anyone else want to chime in on water change frequency for a well maintained, well skimmed, well stock tank with a reasonable sized refugium with macro?





I intend to install a float valve in a container (with shut off valve).

 

[Racso]

this is a perfect way to stir up some arguments. If you were to poll ALL off reef central (that is to get EVERYONE to answer) you would get everything from no water changes to almost 100% a week, if not, MORE!

So, here is my best advise. Do what works for you! Experiment! Find what does the best job for YOUR tank. What works for my tank may not work for your tank.

Start off with small water changes. Maybe 10% once a month. And after the tank has been set up for a while, change it up. Maybe month do 10% a week, and see what happens. If your corals look much better, then you know more W/C will be better. If the corals look the same, or even worse, go back to what you were doing.

Just find your own groove and go with it. Just be open to other's ideas, but don't do someone else's routine just because they say so.

 

[mattsilvester]

Racso,

Thanks for the input - and good advice! This is sometihng along the lines of what I would hope to do. My only thing is, is that I need to factor in what size "container" to incorportate.

I don't want to put in something that will hold 100 gals, just for the sake of it, because it will eat into space where the refugium could go. I don't want to go too small either and end up with something that will mean I need to do weekly water changes.

I think I will aim for 25% of the display tank volume i.e. 60 gals. That should allow me to do a 20% water change. I figure if I need to be changing more than 20% on a monthly basis then I will be doing something else wrong other than water changes.......

Thanks for the input folks.

Regards,

Matt

 

[illal]

i do more frequant water changes some times every week! but i do them more as they need them and not on a schedule ...i test my water if im not happy with my nitrate or phos levels than ill do a water change....if my nitrates are higher than normal ill do a larger than normal water change hope that helps