water changes

[rkhlk]

Hello all
well I'm ready to do my first water change. My tank has cycled and all levels are good. I have a 55 gal tank and was told at lfs to do a 20% water change. can someone guide me through the right way to do this so my fish get as little stress as possible?
Thanks.
rkhlk

 

[justinx]

First step is to get your freshly mixed saltwater to match as closely as possible the levels in your tank. This is best accomplished by letting the water "age" for a couple days. This helps so that you can adjust the salinity of the new water, and it also lets the pH stabilize at 8.2 I do this using a large bucket, filled with RO water. I put in a heater and a powerhead and bring the water up to temp before I add any salt. Once there, I add salt and let the powerhead mix it for a day or so and then check the salinity. Too high - add more RO water Too low - add more salt. Until you get it right on the money. Now, I also adjust my calcium and alk levels, but if you have just finished cycling and this is your first water change, then this is some thing that you will want to worry about later on down the road, not right now. Once you get things mixed and equalized, remove the old and add the new. I have a small tank, and no sump so I have a strange way of doing it. I siphon off water from the display into a milk jug so I know that I am removing only one gallon. I pour out this water and pour back into the milk jug the fresh saltwater . . . so I know that i am replacing the same amount of water that I took. I try to add it slowly, but this does not always happen.
HTH
Justin

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by rkhlk
Hello all
well I'm ready to do my first water change. My tank has cycled and all levels are good. I have a 55 gal tank and was told at lfs to do a 20% water change. can someone guide me through the right way to do this so my fish get as little stress as possible?
Thanks.
rkhlk
replace the water that evaporated and then tell everyone you did a water change. It less work, better for the tank, and you don't have everyone telling you you screwed up LOL.
I have had tanks established for 8 years with no problems by just replacing the water that evaporates.

 

[justinx]

I agree . . this does not sound like good advise IMO. I tried the apporach of not doing water changes, only topping off, for about two months. Lets just say that these habits have since been changed. I guess all in all, it really depends on the system
Regardless of what you decide to do down the road, I think that you should definitely do a decent sized water change (about 20%) or so as soon as your cycle is done. From that point, it is up to you what you do, but I have outlined above how to do a water change should you decide to perform them (and I reccomend that you do)
On a side note from my own personal opinions . . . not performing water changes does not mirror what naturally occurs on a reef, and if the point of this hobby is to re-create a natural reef, than not doing water changes misses that point. Especially if not done because of lazy hobbiests.
HTH
Justin

 

[saltywhit67]

how often should you do a water change. i have had my tank for 7 months. i do a 20% water change every week

 

[thomas712]

I'd say kip is right more or less, however every system is different, and it depends on your filtration, substrate, feeding habits, lighting photo period and age of lighting, amount of additives you use, whether you use a skimmer or not, if you have corals do they look healthy or stunnted. You are or will be - the expert on your system and given time you will be able to know what works best for that system in regards to water changes. Small regular water chages are always best to help keep things stable.
Thomas

 

[nm reef]

I would urge monthly water changes of 5%-10%...simply prepare the new water as mentioned above. Let the specific gravity/temp/ph settle as close to your display as possible. Then remove the old water and replace it with new water.
Personally I believe regular small volume water changes can be a very simple and effective means of maintaining a system. Removal of old water can prevent toxins from building up to lethal levels and the addition of new water can replenish trace elements that are not commonly added via suppliments.
NMREEF website
“Whiskey for my men...beer for my horses.”
nmreef@cox.net

 

[jauringer]

i do a 3 gallon water change on my 46 bow every sunday.

 

[jrein40806]

I thought with the Berlin method water changes weren't needed?

 

[justinx]

Instead of the Freshwater method of doing 20% monthly at one time, try doing 5% weekly. This acheives the same thing, creates more consistency, and is less of a shock to the system. I have noticed an improvement in both water chemistry, and coral growth once changing to 5% weekly water changes. But as previously stated, your tank ~ your choice.
HTH
Justin

 

[fishy88]

i have a 60 gal and i do 10 gallons every 2 weeks