water changes
- Thread starter ryan13
- Start date
ret talbot
Member
Originally Posted by ryan13
http:///forum/post/2882222
hey i was about how long i can let a water change go on a 125gal.tank.with a 30gal sump. its been 2 months and the water perimeters seem to be ok,little bit of nitrates,but nothing too serious.i usally do 42gal every month but its christmas time and money is tight!
I'll preface this by saying that everyone's system is different, and there are lots of factors that affect how often (and even why) one does a water change. I have found that a small (as little as 5%) water change performed twice weekly works wonders on my system. It exports the "garbage" and imports trace elements regularly cutting down on the need to replenish the trace elements being skimmed out by my skimmer. It is also really quite quick and much less of an ordeal as a major water change IMO. For my tank, I do 10 gallons 2x per week (Wednesday and weekend), and it takes me less than half an hour (often far less than half an hour) to do each.
To more directly answer your question about how long you can wait, I wouldn't wait. The effects of nutrients breaking down are cumulative, and the trace elements that are essential for your coral (is this a reef tank) are dwindling (unless you are supplementing). I would not want to let it go three months without a water change, but that's just me.
Perhaps this is a good time to change ove to more frequnet smaller water changes?
Keep us posted.
Ret
www.SaltwaterSense.com
http:///forum/post/2882222
hey i was about how long i can let a water change go on a 125gal.tank.with a 30gal sump. its been 2 months and the water perimeters seem to be ok,little bit of nitrates,but nothing too serious.i usally do 42gal every month but its christmas time and money is tight!
I'll preface this by saying that everyone's system is different, and there are lots of factors that affect how often (and even why) one does a water change. I have found that a small (as little as 5%) water change performed twice weekly works wonders on my system. It exports the "garbage" and imports trace elements regularly cutting down on the need to replenish the trace elements being skimmed out by my skimmer. It is also really quite quick and much less of an ordeal as a major water change IMO. For my tank, I do 10 gallons 2x per week (Wednesday and weekend), and it takes me less than half an hour (often far less than half an hour) to do each.
To more directly answer your question about how long you can wait, I wouldn't wait. The effects of nutrients breaking down are cumulative, and the trace elements that are essential for your coral (is this a reef tank) are dwindling (unless you are supplementing). I would not want to let it go three months without a water change, but that's just me.
Perhaps this is a good time to change ove to more frequnet smaller water changes?
Keep us posted.
Ret
www.SaltwaterSense.com
V
vicegrip
Guest
Untraceable nitrates is a good goal to have.