When is the Real Time to Change Water?

[cam78]

I change my water about every week to 9 days. My nitrates are always 0 along with phosphates, and calcium hovers around 360. My DKH is always a little low, around 7. Is this normal to always have Ites at 0? Am I changing my water to often? I have a reef tank and realize that my calcium has to be a little higher and I have to get a buffer for the DKH. I have soft corals so the calcium is not that bad.
So when is the time to change water? When Ates are high, KH low, ammonia high? Should I allow my Ates to rise before changing water?

 

[reefreak29]

no just keep doing what your doing ,why do a water change when its to late

 

[reefkprz]

definatly dont wait for something to go wrong before changing water. by doing water changes your replacing all the trace elements your not testing for, like molybdenum, Iodine, magnesium, Iron, and many many many more. a regular ritual is the way to go.

 

[aztec reef]

i'm very dedicated with my weekly rituals . sometimes i do them twice a week just for fun, if salt was cheap i would do them more often.
not only are replenishing trace elements but your're also reducing the chances of phosphates/nitrates accumulation.

 

[promisetbg]

Originally Posted by CAM78
and calcium hovers around 360. My DKH is always a little low, around 7. I have a reef tank and realize that my calcium has to be a little higher and I have to get a buffer for the DKH. I have soft corals so the calcium is not that bad.
Get a 2 part to dose the tank. I use B-Ionic..great stuff.