Water Changes

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I have read alot of different amounts of water changes, and also alot of people change at different times. I have a 90 gallon reef. I am a newbie. Tank up and running for about 9 months. So far I have NO algae or other nuisance issues. I test for nitrates weekly and it always reads 0. I have even bought a new test kit to be sure it wasnt faulty, in fact all my levels are within normal limits, exept my calcium is a little low currently. I do not have a sump, so water changes are done with the good old suction tube, and bucket, which i think puts the fish, and all corals etc under some stress as I am diggin around in the tank. I do 10% water changes every 6 weeks, and I add trace minerals, mag & calc as needed.
I have a small bio load. 90 gallon tank, 50lbs live sand, 100lbs live rock, 1 sm/med yellow tang, 1 sm/med pajama spotted cardinal fish, 1 med yellow headed sleeper goby, 1 sm/med fire fish, 1 sm/med green mandarin, and 1 sm/med false clown. I also have 20 or so hermits, 5 nessarius snails, 2 turbos snails, 1 astrea snail, 1 clam, 1 feather duster, and a few corals. Some people are changing water weekly, and I am just wondering that If I stay one top of testing, and make sure I am having no ill effects if every 6 weeks is ok?
I appreciate any helpful advice to a newby to this hobby!

 

[chevyblue96]

My neighbor changes her water every 2-3 months and only changes about 10% then.... All her critters are healthy, and her water seems to test normal.
I'm still "new" and no expert but I'd say if it aint broke, don't fix it

 

[aquaman]

I have been in the hobby for 21 years, with some time out from time to time. In all that time there has been so many different rules of thumb, but I have found what works well for me in terms of the life in the aquarium and "life" in my wallet. You need to do some sort of change, what works for me is 25 gal once a month or about 10%. There will be people who will flame me for doing so little so few times, and other will thing I am doing too much to often but I found it works for me. 10% is on the low end, but I have a big system, you may want to do 15% and see how it works.

 

[btldreef]

Every tank is different, so that's why you see so many different ideas.
I prefer weekly water changes. I'd rather change out my water before nitrates even get a chance to think about building up or trace elements get depleted. I have a heavily stocked tank that is fed heavily so weekly 20=% water changes work best for me in most tanks.
I usually suggest to start with weekly water changes, then go to bi weekly. Test a lot during both periods and see how the numbers change. If you can get away with bi-weekly, do it, you'll save money on salt.
Many people that go 3+ weeks without a water change are experienced hobbyists and/or have other things in their tank to enable them to go that long and/or dose trace elements.