j21kickster
Active Member
how was the growth rate of corals in that tank?
Water change poll -
- Thread starter overanalyzer
- Start date
lopeyc
Member
I was told that my tank, highly stable in terms of testable conditions, only needs to be added to with fresh water to replace evaporation. Obviously I will check salinity periodically, but otherwise, it was recommended that I not do water changes.
Here's my question: If you're adding buffering, trace elements, calcium, etc and your ammonia, etc. are non-existent, why would you do a water change?
Here's my question: If you're adding buffering, trace elements, calcium, etc and your ammonia, etc. are non-existent, why would you do a water change?
overanalyzer
Active Member
Originally posted by lopeyc
Here's my question: If you're adding buffering, trace elements, calcium, etc and your ammonia, etc. are non-existent, why would you do a water change?
Water changes are a way to export harmful chemicals out of yoru system and import trace elements back into your system. If yo uare adding buffering, trace, calc. etc and your system stays level - thats fine - but how do you fully dilute the pollution in your system?? Sure macro's and other critters use some of hte waste - but you may have other hatyou may have other items in your water column that build to catastrophic proportions .... you know - too much of a good thing sort of scenario!
lopeyc
Member
Originally posted by overanalyzer
Water changes are a way to export harmful chemicals out of yoru system and import trace elements back into your system. If yo uare adding buffering, trace, calc. etc and your system stays level - thats fine - but how do you fully dilute the pollution in your system?? Sure macro's and other critters use some of hte waste - but you may have other hatyou may have other items in your water column that build to catastrophic proportions .... you know - too much of a good thing sort of scenario!
Well, my limited understanding is that all the good stuff on my live rock is doing most of the heavy lifting, while the protein skimmer is taking out organic particulates. I have these calcium+elements cubes that are supposed to dissolve at the exact rate needed, plus I added a capful of reef solution with elements, etc, a week ago.
I actually added 20 new gallons when I got the tank a month ago...so I am not yet using *old water*.
overanalyzer
Active Member
I'd still recommend thinking of doing a small water change on a regularly scheduled basis.
Hey noticed you are a writer - what do you write??
Hey noticed you are a writer - what do you write??
lopeyc
Member
Originally posted by overanalyzer
I'd still recommend thinking of doing a small water change on a regularly scheduled basis.
OK, I'll do it. Just wondering what the theory is behind it. Just checked my salinity and notice it has crept up a bit, which seems odd...
Hey noticed you are a writer - what do you write??
I'm a journalist. I'd rather not say more than that, as I don't want to get in debates or flamed.
j21kickster
Active Member
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overanalyzer
Active Member
Originally posted by lopeyc
I'm a journalist. I'd rather not say more than that, as I don't want to get in debates or flamed.
Hey shoot me an e-mail. I am interested to hear a little more....
hilscher@kc.rr.comNOSPAM
remove the no spam!
overanalyzer
Active Member
Originally posted by Kipass4130
Until you understand all of the water chemistry....
water changes are the most easy/best way to keep all of these elements in balance.
AMEN - and you know what ... even once you understand them I'd think the benefits of a regular water change would still be much higher than letting your water sit!
bahamianme
Member
I switched from 30 gal to a 55 gal. The 55 gal I have 3-4" sand and I am just about finished putting live rock in it. Ever since I started w/lr, my water quality has been very, very good. No problems.
BTW, Lopeye, where did you get your avator and how do you installl?
my email: Bahamian1999@Yahoo.com.
BTW, Lopeye, where did you get your avator and how do you installl?
my email: Bahamian1999@Yahoo.com.
oo bubbagump oo
Member
Just a gallon a week on my 20.
Justin
Justin
sohalwutang499
Member
I know alot of people are going to tell me this is a bad idea, but i have only changed the water in my 90 once in the past four years it has been set up. I do it because i read somewhere that if you add trace elements to your aquarium and have enough live rock/ live sand to harbor denitrifying bacteria, then you dont have to change the water. All i do is add calcium, iodine, iron, coral vite, and a couple other trace elements. This has worked fine for me. My carpet anemone is close to 5 years old now and has grown a huge amount since i bought it. My other corals are also doing fine. This might be part of the reason for my success, but i only have 2 fish in my 90, a clownfish and a hawkfish. I just thought i would tell everyone that it is possible to have a successful reef without doing water changes.
lopeyc
Member
Originally posted by Bahamianme
I switched from 30 gal to a 55 gal. The 55 gal I have 3-4" sand and I am just about finished putting live rock in it. Ever since I started w/lr, my water quality has been very, very good. No problems.
BTW, Lopeye, where did you get your avator and how do you installl?
my email: Bahamian1999@Yahoo.com.
I just did a google search for "avatar" and there are sites with a gazillion of them. I can't remember which one I grabbed it from. Copy the url.
To install, you go to your "user cp" page and then go to "edit profile" I believe, then follow the directions to paste in your url.
overanalyzer
Active Member
just doing a little post-holiday bump ....
naturelover
Member
never had regular changes. I do water changes depending on situation. In 3 yrs i have done 6 water changes most of them are around 10gal except the last one which was around 15gal (did after 10 month just because my colt of 3yrs got stung and died) all these water changes were done just to be cautious even tho there were no real threat.
guppy slayer
Member
in my 45 I do 10% weekly but sometimes I have to do more.