Water changes

[alifals]

Hello all. i am wondering if it is time for me to change my water for the first time and how much of it i should replace. i have an 80 gallon tank that has been up and going since 11 Oct. i have 53lbs of live rock, 140 lbs of sand, 40 of which is live. and more anenomes and mushrooms than i care to count. i have only 2 Percula and 2 damsels. i have two power compacts on top and i am fighting algea. chemically the tank is perfect. i use only R.O. water. everything is working for me right now and i dont want to mess with it unless it needs it.

 

[gregzbobo]

A 10%-15% water change will certainly benefit things by replenishing certain trace leements and exporting dissolved organic material and nitrates. The reduction in nitrates may very well help in reducing the algea problem you are having. Go for it!

 

[josh]

Glad to see a newbie off on the right foot! As long as your tank has cycled go ahead and do a water change.
I really don't have much to add but just wanted to say if was refreshing to see someone starting out correctly!

 

[slick]

Alifals I would do a 10% change for now. Well try 10g it is a little easier to do it that way instead of only 8g or so. I have a 10g tank that I use to make new water in. A cheap heater and a small ph to move the water around. Make sure you let your water age 24 to 48 hours before you put it in your tank.

 

[ivanfj]

Just leave the new water in the "new water" tank for couples of days??? Does the tank need to have live sand or rocks and any filter or anything required?? Or just leave the water for a couple of days???

 

[alifals]

hey all, i am still learning this website and i appreciate your assistance and advice. i apologize for not responding sooner. i have tried to do this by the book. i totally enjoy this hobby. i was able to shortcut the system a bit by buying perfectly cured and cultered rock with lots of life on it. i havent changed my water yet but i am going to in the next couple of days. i am very worried about messing with something that seems to be working very well. i test my tank regularly and refuse to take chances. thanks again for the support. its all about the tank.

 

[slick]

ivanfj
You just have to leave it in the tank. No need to have sand or rock in there.

 

[dindi]

Well...you should change your water at 10 or 15%..why....because we don't know the EXACT

 

[dindi]

Well...you should change your water at 10 or 15% once per week for new systems....why....because we don't know the EXACT mineral requirements for the animals that REQUIRE us to take care of them. The salts we use such as Red Sea or what ever have done major research in order to provide us with as natural as possible settings. It won't hurt you but it will your animals if you don't. This is not a lazy mans hobby