water changes

[ctripi]

What volume of water changes are y'all performing? If you post a reply could you please include total tank volume, water change volume and frequency. If possible supplements aside from Ca/Alk/Mg too please.

I'm a fan of the less is more approach and I'm currently envisioning a large display (48"wide; 36"deep and maybe 20-30ish tall) that will be mostly an open water bommie style with mostly plating monti's. There will probably be a very large sump/refuge (think of using my 135g) so that most of the LR is out of view. It will be stocked with the least amount of fish and inverts possible therefore I'm hoping that water changes will not be as much as a chore and expense as it is now. The true reason for my laziness is in hopes for maximal stability with regard to water chemistry.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Leonardo_]

My total system volume is 190 Gallon. I perform a 25 Gallon water change bi-weekly using Reefers Best Premium Salt. I elevate the level of magnesium of the new water to 1500.

Besides that your plan sounds really good!

Leonardo

 

[Paul B]

I have 100 gallons, no sump, about 30 small fish averaging 2-3"
I change about 20% about 5 times a year some of that being NSW

 

[svb57]

I have 700g total gallons made up of: 300g and 125g display tanks, 130g refuge, 40g RDSB, 80g sump and 55g water change tank in-line.

I add 2 part daily and do a water change of 50 gallons every other month. I do have an abnormal amout of LR though in the system, aprrox 700lbs.

 

[finfans]

water changes

I my tank is 10' by 32" by 32" I know it is 480 gallons but I tell them its 500 gal. I have a guy that comes ones every 2 mouths for water change . He drains half of tank and both my sumps. In 30 min. , he is done with water change. He is with VIP water. It cost $120.00 dollars.

 

[ctripi]

svb57....thats what I'm thinking....lots of natural filtration and low bioload. What volume of two part daily? Also, getting a sense if CaReactor or dosing

Paul B....no fried asparagus...no problems right ! (inside joke, sorry).

 

[sam08]

I have a 180 with 50 gal sump/fuge. I started running a litermeter III and am doing 8 litres per day, I keep a 40gal can mix with IO that last about 2 week I uasually fill it back up before its empty

 

[Paul B]

Paul B....no fried asparagus...no problems right ! (inside joke, sorry).

Exactly

 

[svb57]

500Ml per day of each of the Bulk Reef Supply 2 part product and I do have a small Cal reactor (left over from when I only had a 125g display tank).

 

[seaguy7]

Good question. It would be useful to know the types of corals you are keeping along with your water change schedule.

I have a 175g display and sump for about 200g total. I change 25 gallons every 2-3 weeks. It is a mostly SPS system with a medium fish bioload.

I am now keeping more difficult and slow growing SPS (efflo, echinata, setosa etc.) so would really like to know the water change routines for those that successfully keep the more difficult corals. We know that some corals are a lot more tolerant than others so what works for some of us might not work for others. (And I am kinda lazy and would rather not change water as often if I don't have to).

 

[wmilas]

I change 60 gallons on a 1000 gallon system every 2 (ok sometimes its 3) weeks. Moderate bioload, just a few sps frags atm.

 

[svb57]

Here is a pic of the two display tanks....Mostly SPS with some LPS..from about year ago. I will take new pics tonight to add to show the growth that has happened since then.

 

[almirman]

My tank is 76" x 30", 34"high. 400 to 450 gallons. I have not changed water in months and I measure virtually no nitrites or nitrates. Since I live in Florida where my house is elevated to confirm to zoning, all my equipment is under the house. I have a 200-250 gallon Refugium that contains about 20 Mangroves and various grasses. The grasses appeared after I added some sand from the Gulf. Prior to the refugium I needed many water changes and I could not get my Nitrates down

 

[svb57]

Here are couple new pictures taken tonight. SHould show the growth I have had in last year.

6 to 8 Months Ago

Today

6 to 8 Months Ago

Today

 

[RazorsEdge]

Geez from reading things here I must be out of my mind. I have a 180 with a 50gal sump. I change out between 25-30gallons of water a week.... My philosphy is you are constantly brininging in new fresh water you do not need to be dosing and going wild with additives all day.

 

[seaguy7]

There are many ways to grow a reef. In every aspect, it seems there are people at each end of the spectrum making things work. What is surprising to me is that we really don't understand things as well as I would expect.

'Svb57' has healthy, growing SPS yet changes less than 10% every 2 months. He also has a much larger volume of water than most of us (700 gallons) and a large amount of live rock which probably helps.

'Almirman' pointed out that with very rare water changes he gets near 0 nitrites and nitrates. I think changing water address far more than reducing nitrates. I think we are adding trace elements with the new salt water mix (which could be done via separate additives as well). You are also removing bad elements that buildup in your tank over time which we don't really understand. There are many dissolved solids in our tanks other than the basic Nitrates/Phospates which will not be removed by skimming alone. But it seems we don't really understand what they are, how much builds up and how to minimize other than discarding a certain percent of the "old" water and refreshing it.

If there is some research on the subject out there, I would love to see it.