Water Changes

[sawduster]

I have a 80 gallon tank with a sump . Question is I put a least 12 cups of r/o water per day because of evapouration .
Would I need to do water changes monthly? or would 12 cups of water per day (23 Gallons per month) be enough water change?

 

[thereefkeeper]

You still need water changes to remove the impurities in the water.

 

[renogaw]

you're doing topoffs, not water changes.
you have to do water changes to remove waste products and replenish the additives that saltwater mixes give.

 

[sepulatian]

Yes, water changes are still neccessary.

 

[imfsub12]

so what is a good rule? 20-25% a month?? as i have a 29 G tank

 

[earlybird]

More frequent is better as trace elements are used up in reef tanks faster than FO tanks. In my 29g I plan on 5g changes each week.

 

[imfsub12]

i don't have any coral... just rock and fish.. but no fish just yet!!

 

[sepulatian]

Smaller frequent changes are best. Be sure to test your levels often. Don't let your nitrates reach over 10.

 

[imfsub12]

i test every 3 days right now.. is that 10 PPM or meg/l

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by imfsub12
i test every 3 days right now.. is that 10 PPM or meg/l
ppm

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by imfsub12
i test every 3 days right now.. is that 10 PPM or meg/l
ppm

 

[imfsub12]

ok will have to convert it.. i have a seachem and they dont' read in PPM