Cleaning

[becky]

I am wondering since my tank has finished cycling when do i have to do a water change. All my water elements seem to be staying the same. amonia 0 ph 8.3 - 8.4, nitrite 0 , nitrates seems to go up and down from 10 to 5 .
Thanks for your imput... this sight is so much help to me!

 

[b_ball12_99]

Since your tank is cycled you really don't have to but can anytime you feel like it. All depends on your personal preference. Recemmended that you do one after cycle is don't then choose how often if at all to do it after that point.

 

[becky]

OK so you are saying that a water change isn't nessary then?? I was under the impression that this was a must!
Does anyone else have some imput too, given my info from the above post??
That would be nice if it is whats best for the tank.
thanks for the info B_b

 

[mr . salty]

Water changes are really only needed to replenish trace elements lost over time..This is usually needed after the cycle.Personally,I havn't done one in my tank for almost a year now.I add trace elements weekly(coral vite)and have a rather elaborate filter setup.To put it a little plainer,You could wait till your nitrates rise to around 40ppm.Then do 25-50% change.Followed by a 15% weekly water change...It really depends on the tank itself,and how heavy of a bio load you have...There really is no simple,black or white answer to that question...I hope this post didn't just confuse you more...

 

[becky]

i have a really good filter... filter and protien skimmer in one. Number one recommended by the LFS
is this good enough not to do a change for awhile???

 

[b_ball12_99]

As long as your water tests stay good.

 

[makofury]

Yes, I'm at that point too, my water tests are near perfect, 0 ammonia, nitrites, nitrate between 3-6. We are planning to keep hardy small fish like clownfish, six-line wrasse, and maybe a few green chromis. Is it absolutely necessary that I do one now? Thanks.
Makofury

 

[mr . salty]

I think it is more important to replace the lost trace elements,than it is to change the water....

 

[mr . salty]

Originally posted by Becky:
<STRONG>i have a really good filter... filter and protien skimmer in one. Number one recommended by the LFS
is this good enough not to do a change for awhile???</STRONG>
This isn't a SKILTER is it????

 

[becky]

To Mr Salty ! Yes i think thats the name of it... yes... skilter 250... does that sound right? What do u mean by trace elements?? Please explain and thanks for your imput!

 

[b_ball12_99]

He means things like minerals in the water. If your calcium level gets low instead of doing a water change you can add liquid calcium. Same things for corals, many bottles of things that they need that you can buy at the lfs and add, that way your water doesn't become dead with no healthy minerals.

 

[becky]

ok i understand that part but how in the world will i know if calcium is low... or my corals need more minerals???
Can someone tell me if there is a guage or test to do???
Thanks guys!

 

[b_ball12_99]

They make calcium test kits. I don't have any experiences with corals but I believe most people that add things for them just add some every 2 weeks or whatever the bottles says.

 

[becky]

thanks b b .. ill look into getting something like that. Could it hurt to put that in once a month with out the test kit>>>??
I am goign today to get some anemona (sp ) i was told it will be nice for the future clown fish!

 

[b_ball12_99]

You can probably get away with it once a month. Make sure your lighting is powerful enough to keep an anenome. As a general rule they need about 5 watts of light per gallon of water. (watts of lighting divided by gallons of water).

 

[becky]

b_b.. i have a 50/50 reef light for my 30 gallon.. short but long tank.. (tank for FO)
will this work?
enought light?

 

[b_ball12_99]

I have to step down here, I'm dumber than a box of rocks when it comes to lighting. Hopefully someone else can help you with this question.

 

[big dave]

Becky, you said that your lfs recommended a skilter as the best filter you can buy? I'm sorry to say but you really shouldnt take their advice anymore. Those things are crap!!! The only filter/skimmer combo I would recommend is the CPR bakpak, which I personally use and love. I would really say get a emperor filter and some small skimmer like a prizm. Just my 2 cents.

 

[b_ball12_99]

I use an Emperor 400 and a Berlin Turbo Hang-On Skimmer on my 75 gallon. It works great. Just have to keep the Emperor clean (intake and filter pads). They should be rinsed clean once a week or every two weeks.

 

[becky]

when u clean the filter pad, can u just pull it out of should i shut the filter down first>>??