Originally Posted by jonthefishguy
Depends on how you look at it. Lets say he buys th 64 ounce of iron, iodine, calcium, and strontium. They all ask for (1) capfull (5 ml) per 50 gallon. He has a45 gallon. Well, there are 1,892 ml in 64 ounces and 378 (5 ml) so which means if he used that bottle just for his tank and doesnt overdose, he has 378 times to use it if he were to do it daily at the recommended dosage and 7 yrs if he were to dose weekly. So lets say he buys each of the four above elements at 35.00 each. That 140.00 plus tax for the year and then some. Now a bag of salt costs lets say 20.00 per bag for 55 gallons and he uses half a bag for each water change which he does once a month. So now, you take 20.00 X 6 months ( gets 2 months out of one bag) and you are at 140.00 plus tax. same price. only difference is that by just adding elements he didnt have to spend the time doing the water change, adding chemicals to remove impurities in the water . Not to mention that he also has to buy the amquel or whatever and depending on his dosage, he can make it last a lot longer than the bag of salt. His usage on salt doesnt also take into consideration that he might use some of his water to lets say sella frag to someone and add water to the bag for his coral, or the salt creep, or the saltwater that is lost due to his hand in his tank,and wiping his hands dry or a small spill....lots of variables
that is very good insight, but i question if w/ chemicals you can stop water changes all together? maybe less frequently, but stop completly? I always think when i do a water change i'm taking out "crap" water and putting in "good" water.
To me it seems like if you never clean your carpet and just frebreeze it to make the smell go away.
I use chemicals to supplement calcium and iodine and thats only if they are low which they dont seem to be very often.
