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Post by lindsey1984 on Feb 24, 2013 8:34:51 GMT -5
So, I've heard various opionions on water changes and the frequency you should be doing them. I've heard as often as once a week but then I've heard a guy say (who has an amazing tank) that he's only ever done 4 water changes in two years. He said he thinks that it should all be left alone as much as poss because its it's own eco system and it takes nurishment and good becteria out when you change the water and if you do it too often you're killing more bacteria than nessisary.
What is everyone's take on this? How often would you do water changes? Is there anything you add to your water when doing water changes? I do mine about 10 gal (55 gal tank) about every two weeks.
Thanks again guys!
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Post by lindsey1984 on Feb 24, 2013 8:35:33 GMT -5
sorry about my typos! lol My spelling USUALLY isnt that bad haha!
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Post by scoobnoob on Feb 24, 2013 8:53:35 GMT -5
I've always done weekly..I usually supplement ca and alk mid way between to make up for depletion everything always looks happier the day after a water change. You need to export all the nutrients some how water changes are the easiest and best way to do so. I change 20% of my tank water (I would only do 10% but it's a nano).
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Post by goodnuf on Feb 24, 2013 9:09:26 GMT -5
I (try)to do around 10% weekly,i got lazy last summer and paid the price! Lost some corals.fish didnt seem to care! Now i am keeping up with changes and things are looking much better! I have a 150,,46 bowfront,,18 gal tanks. I dont add any thing between changes. But that is just what works for me!! Every tank is different,things will do great in my 46 and die in my 150!!
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Post by gotareef on Feb 24, 2013 10:03:03 GMT -5
I have learned over the years that you should test before you do anything. we change water to keep the levels stable if they are already stable why change it?
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Post by jess on Feb 24, 2013 10:07:43 GMT -5
I only do water changes when things get out of check, lately I've been doing them every other week due to a fish constantly disrupting the sand bed and fighting off red slime. I rescaped yesterday so did a water change then. Normally I just top off with no water changes unless something is off a bit.
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Post by lindsey1984 on Feb 24, 2013 11:06:30 GMT -5
I just did a water change today because some of my corals dont look happy AT ALL and my BTA looked really crappy this am! I also do them to try to lower my nitrates. For some reason, they're always around 20 but latley have even been going up to 40. *sigh
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Post by jess on Feb 24, 2013 11:38:52 GMT -5
This may be the issue for your corals looking yuck.
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Post by lindsey1984 on Feb 24, 2013 11:53:07 GMT -5
 I hope it gets better! I hate losing things... |
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Post by seamonkey84 on Feb 24, 2013 18:32:00 GMT -5
I keep a Sps dominated nano (ten gallon) with a clam, and i like to feed my fish, so I personaly go heavy on changes. Even though I have a aquaclear 70 as a fuge on it, and dose daily, I usually do 20-30% once a week on it.
My other tanks don't get as much love, as the inhabitants aren't as fussy. My 46 bow FOWLR gets a 20% every other week or so, my 12" cube full of acans and zoas gets 20-30% every other week. I have a 5.5 gallon maxi anemone garden that I change maybe once a month...or every few months, however they and the Xenia are doing great as are the sexy shrimp and anemone crab which are the only other things in there.
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I hope it gets better! I hate losing things...