water changes

[FLReefGirl]

by: Kpyto - For almost a year I did no water changes... just added water to top off the tank.

There is a LFS here that's been in business for 25 years and he has a tank that hasn't had a water change in 5 years.
It's full of life and looks beautiful. He tested the water right in front of my to show me all levels were zero. I was stunned. It goes to show you this hobby does not have set rules. It's trial and error and opinion. Something that works for someone may not work for someone else. Just look at all the debate over lighting. Some have great SPS success w/ T5's other swear it can't happen.

Personally, I do a 20% weekly change. I tried 2 gals daily for a while but I found that it didn't make a difference.

 

[Kpyto]

I'd agree... different strokes for different folks. So many different ways to do things.

Of course with the lack of water changes, came a forest of algae. When I finally decided I either needed to clean the tank up or take it down completely, I 'harvested" crazy amounts of algae... and believe me, there is much more to go. Hopefully water changes, better skimming, and a fresh cleaning crew of 85 critters will help get all of that under control.

 

[AJtheReefer]

I usually perform a 15 gallon w/c every other week on a 90G

 

[luxo1]

I do not plan on doing a water change while my tank is cycling....(the next 3-4 weeks) Thoughts?

 

[FLReefGirl]

I did small WC every other day during the entire cycle. My actual cycle (when it finally started after 2 weeks w/ no cycle) only lasted a 5 days. Nothing ever spiked high. It went up a little and went down to zero w/in a few days. It's been up and running for 4 months now and doing fine. The LFS said it was because my LR was already cured so it had little to no die off and the WC kept it in check.
It worked for me but as I've said before... what works for me may not work for someone else.