Which is better?

stumpy08 · 04/17/2008, 07:25 PM

I have a 54 gallon tank with 4 fish, 3 snails, and a few softies. I have a skimmer, hob filter and a uv light.
Which do you think is better:
10% water change once a week or
20% water change twice a week?

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 07:47 PM

Do you have any powerheads?
Whats the water readings?And whats tested for?

reefergeorge · 04/17/2008, 08:03 PM

You need to find what works best for your system. I do a 10% weekly. Just because it's easy, and my nitrates are always 0 in a heavily stocked tank.

stumpy08 · 04/17/2008, 08:28 PM

{Do you have any powerheads?} Yes, I have 2 - 1200's and 2 - 400's
Its has been at least 3 years since I've checked with a test kit. Everything was always were it should have been when I tested so I kept doing everthing the same. (feedings, water changes, etc)
I always seem to get busy in the summer and I was wondering if it would be easier to do a water change every other week as opposed to every week.

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 08:33 PM

Hmm.Its from your water testing you get the best idea of water change amount and scedule. If readings like ammonia and nitrate and phosphate stay low or better yet zero and calcium levels dont drop to much with 10% a month then your good. If fish or coral health are poor or readings staedly rise then more water changed out or the time between need to be adjusted.

04/17/2008, 07:25 PM	#1
stumpy08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Malden, WV Posts: 92	Which is better? I have a 54 gallon tank with 4 fish, 3 snails, and a few softies. I have a skimmer, hob filter and a uv light. Which do you think is better: 10% water change once a week or 20% water change twice a week?

04/17/2008, 08:03 PM	#3
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	You need to find what works best for your system. I do a 10% weekly. Just because it's easy, and my nitrates are always 0 in a heavily stocked tank. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

04/17/2008, 07:47 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Do you have any powerheads? Whats the water readings?And whats tested for?

04/17/2008, 08:28 PM	#4
stumpy08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Malden, WV Posts: 92	{Do you have any powerheads?} Yes, I have 2 - 1200's and 2 - 400's Its has been at least 3 years since I've checked with a test kit. Everything was always were it should have been when I tested so I kept doing everthing the same. (feedings, water changes, etc) I always seem to get busy in the summer and I was wondering if it would be easier to do a water change every other week as opposed to every week.

04/17/2008, 08:33 PM	#5
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Hmm.Its from your water testing you get the best idea of water change amount and scedule. If readings like ammonia and nitrate and phosphate stay low or better yet zero and calcium levels dont drop to much with 10% a month then your good. If fish or coral health are poor or readings staedly rise then more water changed out or the time between need to be adjusted.