No water change

[loseriam]

I have not done a water change in months. In fact I hardly ever even check my water. I have a problem with my alkalinity where as my tank goes down 5 gallons before I add more water. I know thats bad! but I do have a question. I did check the water yesterday and my Nitrates and Nitrites are very good my Amonia is very good not sure where the PH should be. Can you let me know? And my Alkalinity I have no idea where it should be. I have a level in the tank that I do fill it up to but not sure where it should be. CAn someone let me know the correct Alkalinity? And now the last question and the probable reason I cant keep any corals alive. What else do I check and or add to help my coral life? If I can keep them I would pay more attention to my tank and keep all the other things right as well.
Thank you
Kevin
www.statenisland.com

 

[airforceb2]

Please post your readings. Very good doesn't help. Also, your tank size, equipment, age and current stocking.

 

[loseriam]

My Nitrates were on my test was 0
my nitites were 0
my amonia was 0
my Ph was 8.2
Now that is the loswest reading on every chart but Ph.
No levels made it to the second level
Its a color chart with the numbers to the right
Now in my tank I have a lot of Live Rock 3 Damsel fishes a bunch of hermit crabs a few strawberry crabs. And when I put in coral or other type of live plants they dont live long.
I have strong lighting with a lot of algee growing on my side glass I keep the front clear
And my tank is a 54 Gallon corner bow
Thank you

 

[airforceb2]

Salinity or Specific Gravity? If your water evaporates off too much your specific gravity or salinity will get too high and kill off stuff.

 

[joec21]

I have not done a water change in months. In fact I hardly ever even check my water. I have a problem with my alkalinity where as my tank goes down 5 gallons before I add more water. I know thats bad! but I do have a question. I did check the water yesterday and my Nitrates and Nitrites are very good my Amonia is very good not sure where the PH should be. Can you let me know? And my Alkalinity I have no idea where it should be. I have a level in the tank that I do fill it up to but not sure where it should be.
I cant keep any corals alive.
Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

 

[joec21]

Originally Posted by loseriam
I have not done a water change in months. In fact I hardly ever even check my water. I have a problem with my alkalinity where as my tank goes down 5 gallons before I add more water. I know thats bad! but I do have a question. I did check the water yesterday and my Nitrates and Nitrites are very good my Amonia is very good not sure where the PH should be. Can you let me know? And my Alkalinity I have no idea where it should be. I have a level in the tank that I do fill it up to but not sure where it should be. CAn someone let me know the correct Alkalinity?
I cant keep any corals alive.
www.statenisland.com
Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

 

[hot883]

From what I gather, water changes are necessary becuase fresh doses of SW replenishes alot of the nutrients that sw fish and inverts NEED. Just becuase your "numbers are good" does not pass the test on no water changes. Thats my $.02.

 

[airforceb2]

There are about 30 trace elements in water that your tank needs. Calcium is one of the biggest ones for corals and the only way to get Ca levels up is either water changes or dosing.

 

[tombonius]

you know, i've got to add something in here. This whole thread is ridiculous. "I put corals and other type of live plants in" and they just die is just dumb. If you aren't going to take care of your animals, get another hobby. Don't just keep killing things. To not have the slightest clue as to what your water parameters are and not check them for months and let 10% OF YOUR TANK EVAPORATE before replacing the water is JUST FREAKING STUPID!!
I don't mean to be harsh, but you're killing animals that deserve better. (And before I get abunch of flack about being a tree hugger, I'm not. i just hate to see idiots kill innocent things for no reason.)

 

[joec21]

Originally Posted by tombonius
you know, i've got to add something in here. This whole thread is ridiculous. "I put corals and other type of live plants in" and they just die is just dumb. If you aren't going to take care of your animals, get another hobby. Don't just keep killing things. To not have the slightest clue as to what your water parameters are and not check them for months and let 10% OF YOUR TANK EVAPORATE before replacing the water is JUST FREAKING STUPID!!
I don't mean to be harsh, but you're killing animals that deserve better. (And before I get abunch of flack about being a tree hugger, I'm not. i just hate to see idiots kill innocent things for no reason.)

 

[airforceb2]

Originally Posted by tombonius
you know, i've got to add something in here. This whole thread is ridiculous. "I put corals and other type of live plants in" and they just die is just dumb. If you aren't going to take care of your animals, get another hobby. Don't just keep killing things. To not have the slightest clue as to what your water parameters are and not check them for months and let 10% OF YOUR TANK EVAPORATE before replacing the water is JUST FREAKING STUPID!!
I don't mean to be harsh, but you're killing animals that deserve better. (And before I get abunch of flack about being a tree hugger, I'm not. i just hate to see idiots kill innocent things for no reason.)
Can you please not beat around the bush and get to the point!?!?

Very well put...can't agree more.

 

[tombonius]

maybe we can hunt him down and put him in a tank that no one looks at for 6 months...

 

[sinner's girl]

hot883, not everyone does water changes.If you have enough lr, ls, and a good filter, and your tank isn't overstocked, you shouldn't have to do wc all the time.
What is you sg, before and after you add top off water? Part of your problem may be you are letting too much water evaporate before adding more. I add about a gallon every two days or so. If you're going to keep a tank, you need to pay attention to it everyday.
I have strong lighting with a lot of algee growing on my side glass I keep the front clear
That doesn't help us any. EXACTY what kind of lights? Define strong. This may be part of your problem, if you don't have the right light, they will die/be unheathly. If you have lots of algea growing, you might have the wrong type of light.
I have a level in the tank that I do fill it up to but not sure where it should be.
uh? you lost me here.
have a problem with my alkalinity where as my tank goes down 5 gallons before I add more water.
Okay, if you know this is your problem, why don't you add top off water more often?
What else do I check and or add to help my coral life?
Corals need calcium. Check that, they make additives and such if you ca level is too low.

 

[diane4]

Sorry, but I just cringed at the thought of someone not doing a water change for months. I don't care what your inhabitants are, living beings in water in an enclosed environment, NEED water changes.
That is like not changing your underwear for months. Oh gross. Can't imagine that.
Every week without fail. It should be as much of a routine as brushing your teeth. Water changes are the key most important thing you can do for your fish. I don't know how often people change water for reef only tanks, I know I have my 50 gallon tank with live rock and some verts, and I do their water change every week. Now I don't have it setup that long, I might go as long as 2 weeks, but that is tops.

 

[sinner's girl]

I searched, but I can't find the post where I was told I didn't have to do water changes if my water was good. I know there was someone who had a nice reef who never did.
Btw, I'm in no way suggesting that ya'll don't do water changes, are that they are needed. But if he water was good, I don't see what not doing a water change would kill the coral? Not adding top off water or know the ca level, yes.

 

[puffer32]

But obviously the poster needs to do water changes, he said he can't keep coral, so something in water is not right, might just be not adding top off water often enough, but I think no water changes means trace elements a reef tank needs are missing.

 

[tombonius]

There's a difference between 1) the rare expert who has achieved a rare balance in his tank and is able to get by with rare or no water changes and 2) murderous neglect. this situation is an example of #2, and if the aquarium keeper is not willing to spend a small amount of time to do the little things to keep a system clean and viable, then I say what i said before: get another hobby that doesn't involve killing things, like stamp-collecting...

 

[murph]

With a name like loseriam it could be that this post was meant to yank a few chains to begin with. On the other hand you can just about say anything or be anybody on a INTERNET message board and I think I would lie about how I am handling my tank before I posted that.
At the very least top up your tank on a regular basis with good bottled water. I wouldn't normally add this, but make sure its just regular bottled water, not the kind that is flavored or carbonated

 

[capperdoo1]

ya know i have to agree with tombonius.....it is pretty ridiculous how irresponsable you are being with your tank and corals. but it doesnt address the problem at hand. 1st... pull your head out of your *#$*$ and do a few water changes. dont do a monster water change, do a few gallons every couple of days over a weeks or even better two weeks time. i also noticed you didnt mention that you tested nitrates i bet if you checked them they would be of the chart. the water changes will help reduce that. also check your protien skimmer if you have one, if you dont, get one. chances are if your not adding water regularly your skimmer is totally neglected. and for petes sake... if you cant pay attention to your tank.......give it up!!!

 

[puffer32]

Doubt we will here from the poster again, i believe he was trying to get us riled, did that, so has moved on.......... Maybe a dog forum and is posting how he never changes his water bowl and the dog is fine :hilarious