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marinerfr
Guest
i have a 10 and i was wondering how often i should do water changes and how much
jfingers088
Member
You do 10% every 2 weeks or 20% once a month. You should really try to do it every 2 weeks though more healthy for your tank and your fish. Basically you would change 1 gallon every 2 weeks or 2 gallons once a month.
hatessushi
Active Member
Since it's a 10 gallon tank which is really to small for salt water unless it's a quarantine tank or a refugium I would suggest 30% every week since your water quality will change hourly. And since water quality changes so quickly you really should test nearly every day. That's why people say for salt water a person should have the largest tank possible since the water is more stable (changes don't occur as quickly). Some, and I am included believe the smallest tank for salt water should be no smaller then 55 gallons.
Most tanks I would recommend a 10% water change weekly but for such a small tank the more the better. Just don't go over 40% because you don't want to lose the beneficial bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle.
Most tanks I would recommend a 10% water change weekly but for such a small tank the more the better. Just don't go over 40% because you don't want to lose the beneficial bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle.
mandarin w
Member
100% agree. You will need to stay on top of it.
sepulatian
Moderator
Water chages are to be done in direct coorlation with nitrates. If your trates reach 10 then do a water change. Unless you have other issues, nitrates are the indicater for water changes.
xdave
Active Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
Water chages are to be done on direct coorlation with nitrates. If your trates reach 10 then do a water change. Unless you have other issues, nitrates are the indicater for water changes.
I agree, but don't forget to add trace elements when topping off.
Water chages are to be done on direct coorlation with nitrates. If your trates reach 10 then do a water change. Unless you have other issues, nitrates are the indicater for water changes.
I agree, but don't forget to add trace elements when topping off.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by xDave
I agree, but don't forget to add trace elements when topping off.
Hmmm, what do you mean dave? Trace elements are added with the changes in the salt mixture. No disrespect, but what do you mean?
I agree, but don't forget to add trace elements when topping off.
Hmmm, what do you mean dave? Trace elements are added with the changes in the salt mixture. No disrespect, but what do you mean?
xdave
Active Member
Yes, trace elements are added when you do water changes, but you said to do changes in accordance to nitrate levels. The rate at which nitrates rise is not related to the rate at which trace elements are depleted.
I realise that evaporation and trace levels are also not related but the timing is less varied.
I realise that evaporation and trace levels are also not related but the timing is less varied.