Whats the point of a water change ?
- Thread starter sh2000
- Start date
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2466290
If your water is clean and clear and all your levels are perfect why do a water change what's the benefit ?
To replenish your trace elements
http:///forum/post/2466290
If your water is clean and clear and all your levels are perfect why do a water change what's the benefit ?
To replenish your trace elements
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/2466501
Why don't you take a bath in the same water every day?
Why do you flush the toilet?
Why do you wash the dishes?
All somewhat similar questions....
LOL I was going to say... your underwear may not appear to be dirty, but you still change them every day... well at least I hope you do....
http:///forum/post/2466501
Why don't you take a bath in the same water every day?
Why do you flush the toilet?
Why do you wash the dishes?
All somewhat similar questions....
LOL I was going to say... your underwear may not appear to be dirty, but you still change them every day... well at least I hope you do....
sh2000
Member
I don't wear any lol, I was just saying once you do a water change you need to get all the params back up to the right levels and I'm using spring water or ocean water not ro/di water so I would assume the less water change the better I used to do once every 2-3 weeks now 1 time every 4-6 weeks since my ro/di water maker broke.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2466511
I don't wear any lol, I was just saying once you do a water change you need to get all the params back up to the right levels and I'm using spring water or ocean water not ro/di water so I would assume the less water change the better I used to do once every 2-3 weeks now 1 time every 4-6 weeks since my ro/di water maker broke.
Depending on the size of the tank your water change should get your chemistry back in check. But only testing your water will tell you when you need to do a change. Depending on bioload of fish and corals. This will tell you when your trace elements need replenishing and when your water needs to be changed. That may not be at the same time, so if you want to do less frequent changes then you need to keep a close eye on your chemistry for elements and be prepared to dose. Once you preform a water change your water chemistry should still be right on.
http:///forum/post/2466511
I don't wear any lol, I was just saying once you do a water change you need to get all the params back up to the right levels and I'm using spring water or ocean water not ro/di water so I would assume the less water change the better I used to do once every 2-3 weeks now 1 time every 4-6 weeks since my ro/di water maker broke.
Depending on the size of the tank your water change should get your chemistry back in check. But only testing your water will tell you when you need to do a change. Depending on bioload of fish and corals. This will tell you when your trace elements need replenishing and when your water needs to be changed. That may not be at the same time, so if you want to do less frequent changes then you need to keep a close eye on your chemistry for elements and be prepared to dose. Once you preform a water change your water chemistry should still be right on.
matt b
Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2466511
I don't wear any lol, I was just saying once you do a water change you need to get all the params back up to the right levels and I'm using spring water or ocean water not ro/di water so I would assume the less water change the better I used to do once every 2-3 weeks now 1 time every 4-6 weeks since my ro/di water maker broke.
Im hoping this is not in a reef
http:///forum/post/2466511
I don't wear any lol, I was just saying once you do a water change you need to get all the params back up to the right levels and I'm using spring water or ocean water not ro/di water so I would assume the less water change the better I used to do once every 2-3 weeks now 1 time every 4-6 weeks since my ro/di water maker broke.
Im hoping this is not in a reef
chrgerondavins
Member
they are more sensitive to "bad" water
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2466825
it is a reef why ?
Because your corals absorb some of the trace elements that are replaced with water changes and they are sensitive to nitrate.
http:///forum/post/2466825
it is a reef why ?
Because your corals absorb some of the trace elements that are replaced with water changes and they are sensitive to nitrate.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2466935
why would there be Nitrate in Spring water ? and what other trace elements are there ? .
No, I am talking about the trace elements in your tank that have to be replaced. I am also talking about nitrates in your tank, not in the spring water.
It's water and salt..55 gal of it to go along tith 55 gal of established 2 years water that was ro/di water at the time with pristine conditions.
I am not entirely sure what you mean here. Whether you are using synthetic salt or ocean water they still contain the elements needed in a reef. Even if you have the "perfect" system you still have to do water changes. There is no way around it. You can buy elements in a bottle and risk not dosing correctly or just do water changes.
http:///forum/post/2466935
why would there be Nitrate in Spring water ? and what other trace elements are there ? .
No, I am talking about the trace elements in your tank that have to be replaced. I am also talking about nitrates in your tank, not in the spring water.
It's water and salt..55 gal of it to go along tith 55 gal of established 2 years water that was ro/di water at the time with pristine conditions.
I am not entirely sure what you mean here. Whether you are using synthetic salt or ocean water they still contain the elements needed in a reef. Even if you have the "perfect" system you still have to do water changes. There is no way around it. You can buy elements in a bottle and risk not dosing correctly or just do water changes.
A
allenk
Guest
There may or may not be nitrates in your spring water. However, if you have living things expelling waste into your tank, then this waste will break down into nitrates. For example, a fish may give off ammonia as a waste product. This will be converted to nitrites by bacteria in your tank. Then a second type of bacteria will convert the nitrites to nitrates. This is the normal process. Then, you have to take the nitrates out somehow. One way is to do water changes.
I do a 10 gallon change every week. My water looks nice and clean in the tank. However, if I put a five gallon bucket of the tank water next to the 5 gallon bucket of fresh ro/di water mixed with the salt, there is clearly a difference. The tank water is clearly slightly yellow compared to fresh.
I suppose another analogy would be that you can go swimming in polluted water and be just fine, up to a point. At some point, the more polluted the water you swim in, the more likely it will have an adverse affects on you. If your tank is doing fine, apparently you haven't reached that point yet. Perhaps you have a tank of hardy specimens that aren't that sensitive to "bad" water.
I do a 10 gallon change every week. My water looks nice and clean in the tank. However, if I put a five gallon bucket of the tank water next to the 5 gallon bucket of fresh ro/di water mixed with the salt, there is clearly a difference. The tank water is clearly slightly yellow compared to fresh.
I suppose another analogy would be that you can go swimming in polluted water and be just fine, up to a point. At some point, the more polluted the water you swim in, the more likely it will have an adverse affects on you. If your tank is doing fine, apparently you haven't reached that point yet. Perhaps you have a tank of hardy specimens that aren't that sensitive to "bad" water.
sh2000
Member
why is the water bad ? I have a very good skimmer that keeps the nitrates at 0 and ammonia at 0 and a massive clean up crew..litterly a cc crew for a 150 gal tank...so I think thats how i get the desired levels..I also do a 10 % water change per week into the sump and every 4-6 weeks i do a 20% change I'm not saying it's not necessary but just trying to understand and get more knowledge
sh2000
Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2466947
No, I am talking about the trace elements in your tank that have to be replaced. I am also talking about nitrates in your tank, not in the spring water.
I am not entirely sure what you mean here. Whether you are using synthetic salt or ocean water they still contain the elements needed in a reef. Even if you have the "perfect" system you still have to do water changes. There is no way around it. You can buy elements in a bottle and risk not dosing correctly or just do water changes.
I dose calcium,strontium,iron,Iodine,Magnesium,coracel, and kent trace elements as directions I hope the directions are right and I test always before and after doising I test really alot I know I have no life but there's nothing else I can do.
I mix fresh spring water with reef crystals or instant ocean salt..they cleaim they have no Nittrates or Phosephates in it.
http:///forum/post/2466947
No, I am talking about the trace elements in your tank that have to be replaced. I am also talking about nitrates in your tank, not in the spring water.
I am not entirely sure what you mean here. Whether you are using synthetic salt or ocean water they still contain the elements needed in a reef. Even if you have the "perfect" system you still have to do water changes. There is no way around it. You can buy elements in a bottle and risk not dosing correctly or just do water changes.
I dose calcium,strontium,iron,Iodine,Magnesium,coracel, and kent trace elements as directions I hope the directions are right and I test always before and after doising I test really alot I know I have no life but there's nothing else I can do.
I mix fresh spring water with reef crystals or instant ocean salt..they cleaim they have no Nittrates or Phosephates in it.
sh2000
Member
this may sound off but if you have your levels at one point lets say calcium at 450...and u change 20 percent of the water wont the calicum go down ?? and u must dose to get it back to 450 ? this goes for all other elements as well ? I'm trying to understand how if you change 20 percent of the water now you had water with no calcium isn't this going to change ur levels ? I'm trying to save money but keep the 35 corals and lifstock alive.