water changes

[msitework]

I am new to the hobby & bought a completely established 20 gallon reef system that has been set up for a year or so. I have it set up & all is going well so far. I have a few questions though. I appreciate the help in advance. I have something in the tank that appears to be an anemone, it is white with tentacles approx. 1.5" long, & it just moved to the other side of the rock that it was on, is there anything else that this could be, or is it an anemone? I am also looking to pre-mix some saltwater in advance in case any problems arise, can someone tell me how long it will stay good in a new gas can, & is there anything I need to do before using it if it has been setting up pre mixed for a while. Thanks again.:help:

 

[tony detroit]

you should do a 20% change each month

 

[sula]

It's good to have pre-made water on hand for your water changes. Before you use it, you need to re-check its salinity and warm it up - the idea is to get it as close as possible to the water in the tank so you don't shock the inhabitants.

 

[msitework]

Thanks for the info, but how long will the water stay good sealed in a plastic storage can. Will it still be good next month, or the month after that.

 

[obarrera]

Originally posted by tony detroit
you should do a 20% change each month
20% each month!(isn't that a little bit?)
How many water changes would I have to do in a 40 gal?

 

[tuningvis]

isn't it standard to do a 10% a week water change ?
no matter the tank size

 

[obarrera]

Originally posted by tuningvis
isn't it standard to do a 10% a week water change ?
no matter the tank size
I change 20% a week in my 10g,so 20% a month in my 40g(im barely setting it up) would be great!

 

[tuningvis]

yeah that would be nice... i'm doing 10% each week for my 10

 

[nc2tarheel]

i do 10% every two weeks.

 

[snipe]

From what I read you do bigger water changes more often, then later on you do smallers ones less often "when its established".