water change weekly ??

Ronny#66 · 05/25/2007, 07:39 PM

I have been doing 41/2 to 5 gal water change weekly for two months now. LFS said to do the 5 gal change every month that I didn't need to do it weekly only monthy. What is right this goes aginst everything here and what you read.

Ronny#66 · 05/25/2007, 07:39 PM

by the way 25 gal tank.

Shooter7 · 05/25/2007, 07:45 PM

If you don't have a skimmer, then I'd do it weekly. If you do have a decent skimmer, then you could get away with monthly, but with your size tank and small amount of water change, I'd say every other week since it would be an easy amount to do.

Ronny#66 · 05/25/2007, 08:22 PM

not using skimmer weekly is realy easy.

t5Nitro · 05/25/2007, 08:37 PM

On a 25 gallon tank, I would only do 2.5 gallons a week.

bgiles11 · 05/25/2007, 08:54 PM

I would check my parameters. It wont hurt to do water changes weekly, but if parameters are in check, then every other week would do. Water changes will keep your trace elements in check, so if you are not dosing anything, than that may be how to keep from having depletion of cal, etc etc.

cloak · 05/25/2007, 08:56 PM

To each their own I guess but I'll change 25 gallons on my 6o breeder once a month and 2-5 days later change another 10.

BurntOutReefer · 05/25/2007, 09:07 PM

10% weekly will keep a healthy happy tank

virginiadiver69 · 05/25/2007, 09:09 PM

I like to do a 10% change weekly then I do a larger 20% monthly. Bottom line...any method is better than not doing one at all.

OrangeKoi · 05/25/2007, 09:15 PM

not trying to hyjack your thread, but can we clarify? Water evaporates, about a gallon weekly, does replacing that water appropriately count as a partial water change?

H2OBUM · 05/25/2007, 09:21 PM

no

virginiadiver69 · 05/25/2007, 09:29 PM

Replacing top off water does not replenish the trace elements that a true water change would. To accomplish this you need to remove a portion of your tank water and replace with freshly mixed salt water.

Shooter7 · 05/25/2007, 09:38 PM

And since he's not using a skimmer, evaporation also doesn't remove the bad nutrients out of the water either, like a water change does.

Tahlequah · 05/25/2007, 09:41 PM

With 156,717 forum members you are going to get 156,717 opinions. None of the 100% correct none of them 100% wrong. If your tank is doing good with what you are doing, why change it. I do monthy water changes and have zero problems in my tank.

That being said, others only replace the evaporated water and their tanks look great! Others say that the reason to do water changes is to replinish nutrients, on the other hand others say its to remove excess nutrients.

I am no expert, but... this is what has worked for me. Read as many theories as you can and come up with what will work for your own specific needs.

drummereef · 05/25/2007, 11:20 PM

I would recommend 10-15% weekly water changes.

sylvius · 05/26/2007, 06:50 PM

i would do 10% weekly or 20% biweekly (as long as you make sure the temperature for the 20% change is really close to tank temp).

1F2FRFBF · 05/26/2007, 07:03 PM

I've been doing 10% a week (which works out to about 5 gallons) and so far so good. Everything is still alive and looking happy.

Ronny#66 · 05/26/2007, 07:17 PM

thanks for all input.

t5Nitro · 05/26/2007, 07:49 PM

By the way, I know water changes replaces trace elements, but can someone say what trace elements are? Are they just like the calcium, alkalinity, etc? I know someone who does 10 gallons every two weeks on their 180 along with a medium sized sump. I was doing 15 gallons a week on my 125 with 40 sump to keep up with the 10% weekly but then after he told me he only changes that much out, I started doing 10 gallons every two weeks.

I dose calcium and alkalinity. Not trying to take the thread away, just not wanting to start a new one on basically the same topic

1F2FRFBF · 05/26/2007, 07:58 PM

I'm not sure what the replacement elements are, but I don't dose anything and I've had no problems save the normal algae blooms. I'm at about 3-4 months with not much bioload at the moment, so that may change.

t5Nitro · 05/26/2007, 08:04 PM

You mean you haven't changed water for 3-4 months, or the tank is 3-4 months old?

I just wanted to get away from 15 gallons a week because if that other person is doing 10 gallons every 2 weeks on a 180 I wanted to do that on a 125. 15 gallons a week and 2 to 2.5 gallons a day evaporation hurts the RO/DI filters bill lol. My old tank never had to replace those filters for a long time, upgraded to the 125 and the DI is 1/4 rust colored already lol.

zma21 · 05/26/2007, 08:12 PM

I haven't changed my water in a month. All parameters are perfect, and I will do it when i return from my vacation.

1F2FRFBF · 05/26/2007, 08:18 PM

Ooops, sorry... tank is 3-4 months old. Although 3-4 months between water changes may still become a reality.

And yes, I guess it all depends on what your 10% is going to be. For me it's a five-gallon bucket out and a five-gallon bucket in, so it's easy to do and easy to remember. For those of you with larger tanks where your 10% a week becomes 10, 20 or 30 gallons, I can definitely see why you'd want to minimize the work and expense.

Ronny#66 is talking about a 25 gallon tank, which translates to 2.5 gallons' change a week. Come on, Ronny, you can do that!

onnenmd · 05/26/2007, 11:32 PM

If you have any reef type stuff I would recommend 10% weekly....especially if you use reef crystals. I notice my tank has problems if I dont change every week or bi-weekly, but like others have posted, it is a case by case tank by tank issue. It never hurts to do frequent small water changes!!!!!!! All people will say waiting 3-4 months is a bad idea though!!

drummereef · 05/26/2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by t5Nitro
By the way, I know water changes replaces trace elements, but can someone say what trace elements are?

Here's a couple of articles that are a good intro to trace elemens. Randy can explain this waaaaay better than me.

Scroll down to Trace Element Mixtures
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...04/feature.htm

05/25/2007, 07:39 PM	#1
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	water change weekly ?? I have been doing 41/2 to 5 gal water change weekly for two months now. LFS said to do the 5 gal change every month that I didn't need to do it weekly only monthy. What is right this goes aginst everything here and what you read.

05/25/2007, 07:45 PM	#3
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	If you don't have a skimmer, then I'd do it weekly. If you do have a decent skimmer, then you could get away with monthly, but with your size tank and small amount of water change, I'd say every other week since it would be an easy amount to do. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

05/25/2007, 08:37 PM	#5
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	On a 25 gallon tank, I would only do 2.5 gallons a week. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

05/25/2007, 09:09 PM	#9
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	I like to do a 10% change weekly then I do a larger 20% monthly. Bottom line...any method is better than not doing one at all. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

05/25/2007, 09:21 PM	#11
H2OBUM Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: High Ridge, MO. (St. Louis) Posts: 140	no __________________ The more you know, the more you know you don't know Current Tank Info: 29 gallon. 30 lbs. live rock, 2x65 coralife aqualight, remora skimmer, power filter, mj900 & 400 for circ., hairy mushrooms, ricordia, pulsing xenia

05/25/2007, 08:22 PM	#4
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	not using skimmer weekly is realy easy.

05/25/2007, 08:54 PM	#6
bgiles11 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 220	I would check my parameters. It wont hurt to do water changes weekly, but if parameters are in check, then every other week would do. Water changes will keep your trace elements in check, so if you are not dosing anything, than that may be how to keep from having depletion of cal, etc etc.

05/25/2007, 08:56 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	To each their own I guess but I'll change 25 gallons on my 6o breeder once a month and 2-5 days later change another 10.

05/25/2007, 09:07 PM	#8
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	10% weekly will keep a healthy happy tank

05/25/2007, 09:15 PM	#10
OrangeKoi Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Va Posts: 556	not trying to hyjack your thread, but can we clarify? Water evaporates, about a gallon weekly, does replacing that water appropriately count as a partial water change?

05/25/2007, 09:29 PM	#12
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Replacing top off water does not replenish the trace elements that a true water change would. To accomplish this you need to remove a portion of your tank water and replace with freshly mixed salt water. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

05/25/2007, 09:38 PM	#13
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	And since he's not using a skimmer, evaporation also doesn't remove the bad nutrients out of the water either, like a water change does. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

05/25/2007, 09:41 PM	#14
Tahlequah Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tahlequah, Ok Posts: 311	With 156,717 forum members you are going to get 156,717 opinions. None of the 100% correct none of them 100% wrong. If your tank is doing good with what you are doing, why change it. I do monthy water changes and have zero problems in my tank. That being said, others only replace the evaporated water and their tanks look great! Others say that the reason to do water changes is to replinish nutrients, on the other hand others say its to remove excess nutrients. I am no expert, but... this is what has worked for me. Read as many theories as you can and come up with what will work for your own specific needs. __________________ "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Current Tank Info: JBJ 30RL

05/25/2007, 11:20 PM	#15
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I would recommend 10-15% weekly water changes. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

05/26/2007, 06:50 PM	#16
sylvius Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10	i would do 10% weekly or 20% biweekly (as long as you make sure the temperature for the 20% change is really close to tank temp).

05/26/2007, 07:03 PM	#17
1F2FRFBF Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 456	I've been doing 10% a week (which works out to about 5 gallons) and so far so good. Everything is still alive and looking happy.

05/26/2007, 07:17 PM	#18
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	thanks for all input.

05/26/2007, 07:49 PM	#19
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	By the way, I know water changes replaces trace elements, but can someone say what trace elements are? Are they just like the calcium, alkalinity, etc? I know someone who does 10 gallons every two weeks on their 180 along with a medium sized sump. I was doing 15 gallons a week on my 125 with 40 sump to keep up with the 10% weekly but then after he told me he only changes that much out, I started doing 10 gallons every two weeks. I dose calcium and alkalinity. Not trying to take the thread away, just not wanting to start a new one on basically the same topic __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

05/26/2007, 07:58 PM	#20
1F2FRFBF Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 456	I'm not sure what the replacement elements are, but I don't dose anything and I've had no problems save the normal algae blooms. I'm at about 3-4 months with not much bioload at the moment, so that may change.

05/26/2007, 08:04 PM	#21
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	You mean you haven't changed water for 3-4 months, or the tank is 3-4 months old? I just wanted to get away from 15 gallons a week because if that other person is doing 10 gallons every 2 weeks on a 180 I wanted to do that on a 125. 15 gallons a week and 2 to 2.5 gallons a day evaporation hurts the RO/DI filters bill lol. My old tank never had to replace those filters for a long time, upgraded to the 125 and the DI is 1/4 rust colored already lol. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

05/26/2007, 08:12 PM	#22
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	I haven't changed my water in a month. All parameters are perfect, and I will do it when i return from my vacation. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

05/26/2007, 08:18 PM	#23
1F2FRFBF Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 456	Ooops, sorry... tank is 3-4 months old. Although 3-4 months between water changes may still become a reality. And yes, I guess it all depends on what your 10% is going to be. For me it's a five-gallon bucket out and a five-gallon bucket in, so it's easy to do and easy to remember. For those of you with larger tanks where your 10% a week becomes 10, 20 or 30 gallons, I can definitely see why you'd want to minimize the work and expense. Ronny#66 is talking about a 25 gallon tank, which translates to 2.5 gallons' change a week. Come on, Ronny, you can do that!

05/26/2007, 11:32 PM	#24
onnenmd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MN Posts: 60	If you have any reef type stuff I would recommend 10% weekly....especially if you use reef crystals. I notice my tank has problems if I dont change every week or bi-weekly, but like others have posted, it is a case by case tank by tank issue. It never hurts to do frequent small water changes!!!!!!! All people will say waiting 3-4 months is a bad idea though!!