whater changes: one big one or many small?

[MarcoPolo]

I do weekly water changes - but recently read that it's best not to do small frequent changes, better go for monthly (larger) water changes. Myth or true?

 

[masonicman]

My experience with water changes leads me to believe that doing small ones were more beneficial. I say this because, my tank was cleaner, the corals became more healther and they grew/split more and my levels seemed to stay in the ball park more. I use to do one a month, but now I do 10 gals every week for the past year. This is just my experience.

 

[fatdaddy]

I'd agree that small incremental changes are better because it's less stress on the tank.

 

[will16]

I do weekly 10% changes. So far so good.

 

[nicklepickle]

I agree as well. I have found that small changes more frequently better benefit the tank. I do about 10-15% weekly.

 

[MarcoPolo]

thanks to all - based on your feedback looks like the pattern I am following (10-15% weekly) is a good approach.

 

[crvz]

either way works, if you're doing them weekly that's plenty often. I definitely wouldnt bother going more frequently, mostly due to the fact that I'm rather lazy, but I don't think the benefit gained would be worth the overhead of daily tank maintenance that would be required.

 

[an411]

I believe that there is a thread by Randy on here were he recommends doing smaller. He does a gallon a day if I remember correctly. I think that its a matter of whatever fits your schedule. If its easier to do one big one then go that route. As long as you are doing them is what counts.

 

[Akaash]

Smaller more ferquent water changes are best. You'll take out the bad stuff more often (Phosphates, nitrates, etc). And replenish the good stuff more often (Calcium, and traces, etc.). Even in larger tanks with monster skimmers instead of doing monthly water changes just do small weekly water changes and you'll not have to dose nearly as much. Granted when weighed against the cost of a quality salt sometimes dosing traces and other chemicals is cheaper. All and all I would reccomend smaller more frequent water changes.

 

[Sk8r]

Marine life prefers in general things that happen often in small degree rather than big events, especially with chemistry: this is the reason for autotopoff units, kalk dosing, calcium reactors, and acclimation, etc. The less abrupt a change in params the better.

 

[alpine36]

smaller more periodic changes.

Lesser chance of de-stabilizing the system.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

but recently read that it's best not to do small frequent changes, better go for monthly (larger) water changes. Myth or true?

Mostly myth. I show the small differences in efficiency when using different sizes to change the same total amount (30 x 1% changes vs 3 x 10% changes vs one 30% change, for example) in this article:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

Small and very small changes have advantages of stability, and even not needing to heat, aerate, or match salinity relative to bigger changes, and the small loss in efficiency is made up in these other advantages.

 

[laud]

My LFS changes out a 400 gallon display tank 350 gallons at a time. They use ocean water so they say there is no salinity changes and it is comparable water.

Everything is happy in the tank for almost 7 years

 

[greenbean36191]

Either will work, but the best choice is the one that you'll do consistently.

 

[jubjub]

my experience is my 75gal i change 5gals of water a week everything seems happy as a button...i usually only do a bigger change if i incorrectly mix the salt and have to split some 1.035salinity 5gal into 7gal of 1.025.....