Water Changes in Nano

[dann..]

Im relivtively New to Nanos, and Ill be setting up a 10 gallon Reef very soon. One thing I dont understand that much is Water Changes. Can someone inform me on how I should going about this?
Thanks
Dan

 

[bigarn]

I did 1 gallon water changes a week when I had my 10 gallon. Simple ... just siphon 1 gallon out of the tank and replace it with 1 gallon of saltwater at or as close to the same salinity as the existing water in the tank.

 

[dann..]

Thanks! So, I Just mix some salt water up again in a bucket or something? Do I have to add anything like live rock or anything to the water that I will use for water changes?

 

[bigarn]

Just salt ... I'd let it aerate for 24hrs before using it. You can put a PH in the container to do this... you want the salt completely dissolved.

 

[dann..]

Sicne htis is going to be a reef, Do I need to add any supplelments? or will the salt already ahve the trace elements with it? This is my first time settting up a REEF so im not quite sure on how to go about this.
Thanks again
Dan

 

[devmax]

You're salt should have the trace elements in it. Plus, I was always taught that you shouldn't dose for something you aren't monitoring. I.E. don't add calc if you aren't testing for calc.

 

[bigarn]

Don't worry about anything until the tank has cycled. The water changes will replace trace elements.

 

[dann..]

Ok, One more question, When you do a water change, do you just throw out the water than you are changing?
Thanks
Dan

 

[nietzsche]

for my 10 i just used this one plastic cup and would take out 2 gallons, wouldnt siphon, stayed clean. yeah, just throw out the old saltwater, its just dirty water