performing water changes for biocube

j86miu · 12/12/2011, 09:58 AM

I have a 14g biocube and plan on having FOWLR for the time being. Right now I have 1 damsel fish in there and 4 hermit crabs and 4 cerith snails. I have pretty much the stock equipment - original filter, I removed the biofilter for live rocks (14lbs) and live sand, and the original sponge filter at the end.

I plan on adding purigen and filter floss in place of the original filter very soon (not sure if this makes a differnece).

Should i do water changes only when it looks like I should, when test kit shows parameters changing, or just on a regular basis?

sponger0 · 12/12/2011, 10:00 AM

Regular basis

rovster · 12/12/2011, 11:11 AM

I change the water in mine 4-5 times/month and everything has been great. Mine is heavily stocked though. I would say once a week would be optimal, and twice a month if you are lightly stocked and your filtration and feeding habits are within reason.

Oh, on a side note, if you wait until it "looks like you should", you are way too late and have really stressed your pets......JMHO

steve888 · 12/12/2011, 11:20 AM

Doing water changes on a regular basis is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy environment for your livestock (assuming you are using good quality water for the change).

I also have a 14G BioCube and I do 2-3 small changes per week. I've read that smaller, more frequent changes are better than single large changes (but I know that's debatable).

Since the 14G BioCube is so small, it's very quick and easy to do a small change several times a week. Also, with 10 lbs of LR in your display, you probably only have about 10-11 G's of water in there (due to the displacement) so that makes water changes all that more important as compared to a larger tank.

thegrun · 12/12/2011, 12:40 PM

[QUOTE=steve888;19618856]I've read that smaller, more frequent changes are better than single large changes (but I know that's debatable).

QUOTE]

I don't think I would call it debatable, unless there is a compelling reason to make a large water change (removing contaminates from the tank) smaller more frequent water changes are better for your livestock.

carternewbee · 12/12/2011, 02:53 PM

I have just started my first saltwater tank. Its made by clarity plus has anyone heard of them? It looks like a cube the whole back part of tank is wet dry system. has a skimmer in it but that just dont look right just a tube is about 3 inches round with a 1/2 inch hole half way down it and a collection cup at the top. Not shure how to use it or for that matter how to set it up.
any help plssssssssssssssssssssss

carternewbee

steve888 · 12/12/2011, 08:52 PM

[QUOTE=thegrun;19619158]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve888

I've read that smaller, more frequent changes are better than single large changes (but I know that's debatable).

QUOTE]

I don't think I would call it debatable, unless there is a compelling reason to make a large water change (removing contaminates from the tank) smaller more frequent water changes are better for your livestock.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm reading a book called "The Nano Reef Handbook" by CR Brightwell and that's exactly what he recommends.

dimitrge · 12/12/2011, 08:55 PM

Get in the habit of doing them weekly. Its difficult at first but once you start doing them it gets easier and faster

carternewbee · 12/13/2011, 01:20 PM

I have a 29 gallon tank how much water should I change per water change? And will this help with cloudy water it wasnt that way till I did a 5 gallon water change. What am I doing wrong?

sponger0 · 12/13/2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carternewbee

I have a 29 gallon tank how much water should I change per water change?

10% water volume or 2.9 gallon. Or to make it an easy number, 3 gallons.

My biocube 29, I do 5 gallon water changes most of the time

dimitrge · 12/13/2011, 01:25 PM

I'd do 5 gallon changes. Should help with water clarity as well if there are no other issues.

sponger0 · 12/13/2011, 01:35 PM

Itll help with removing nutrients from your system, but if your having water clarity problems, thats something also to look into

carternewbee · 12/13/2011, 01:37 PM

The tank seems to be getting worse should I do another water change last one was three days ago. 5 gallons

sponger0 · 12/13/2011, 01:38 PM

Define worse......

carternewbee · 12/13/2011, 03:28 PM

cloudy seems to have more detris floating in it also
would a fluidized bed filter help?
The tank is made by clarity plus 29 gallon with wet dry system built into back part of tank. Would a sock filter be a good idea over the foam filter in center of filter before bio balls?

carternewbee · 12/13/2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carternewbee

cloudy seems to have more detris floating in it also
would a fluidized bed filter help?
The tank is made by clarity plus 29 gallon flatback hex with wet dry system built into back part of tank. Would a sock filter be a good idea over the foam filter in center of filter before bio balls?

sponger0 · 12/13/2011, 05:01 PM

Can you give a pic of the filtration area? Some filter floss maybe able to clear up the water

Are you using any type of carbon?

And also what are the water parameters

carternewbee · 12/13/2011, 06:04 PM

I have no carbon filter in the tank water conditions are good I run my salinity at 1.025 do you think that might be a bit low? heres a few pics

carternewbee · 12/13/2011, 06:05 PM

hope I got the upload of photos right let me know

TjwBlake · 12/13/2011, 07:38 PM

With the nano size tanks a regular water change is a must with how quick things can go south in small tanks. All it has taken for me is 10% weekly, running floss and chemipure and i have had no problems and clear water

carternewbee · 12/15/2011, 01:51 PM

I did do a 5 gallon water change thats when my tank went foggy I plan on doing another one today. I have forgotten to say I have 25 lb live rock and at least 4 inches of live sand on bottom. Tank is well established like I said it was fine untill I made water change.

j86miu · 12/15/2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TjwBlake

With the nano size tanks a regular water change is a must with how quick things can go south in small tanks. All it has taken for me is 10% weekly, running floss and chemipure and i have had no problems and clear water

chemipure... i keep hearing that name... how did you decide between that and purigen?

Meslo · 12/15/2011, 04:12 PM

when you do a water change are you mixing the water yourself ? if so you need to mix the salt in the RO/Di water and let it mix over night with some kind of pump in there to keep it circulating.

TjwBlake · 12/15/2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j86miu

chemipure... i keep hearing that name... how did you decide between that and purigen?

Chemi pure elite has the added Ferric Iron Oxide to help with phosphates and silicates. I believe that is something Purigen is missing

j86miu · 12/15/2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TjwBlake

Chemi pure elite has the added Ferric Iron Oxide to help with phosphates and silicates. I believe that is something Purigen is missing

and chemipure can replace the stock carbon filter right?

12/12/2011, 09:58 AM	#1
j86miu Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Queens NY Posts: 114	performing water changes for biocube I have a 14g biocube and plan on having FOWLR for the time being. Right now I have 1 damsel fish in there and 4 hermit crabs and 4 cerith snails. I have pretty much the stock equipment - original filter, I removed the biofilter for live rocks (14lbs) and live sand, and the original sponge filter at the end. I plan on adding purigen and filter floss in place of the original filter very soon (not sure if this makes a differnece). Should i do water changes only when it looks like I should, when test kit shows parameters changing, or just on a regular basis?

12/12/2011, 11:20 AM	#4
steve888 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 241	Doing water changes on a regular basis is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy environment for your livestock (assuming you are using good quality water for the change). I also have a 14G BioCube and I do 2-3 small changes per week. I've read that smaller, more frequent changes are better than single large changes (but I know that's debatable). Since the 14G BioCube is so small, it's very quick and easy to do a small change several times a week. Also, with 10 lbs of LR in your display, you probably only have about 10-11 G's of water in there (due to the displacement) so that makes water changes all that more important as compared to a larger tank. __________________ 30G Long, Aqua-C Remora HOB Skimmer, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200, Vortech MP-10, Koralia 240 GPH, Talbot's Damsel, Forktail Blenny, 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps, 2 Snails, 2 Hermits

12/12/2011, 02:53 PM	#6
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	new 29 gallon tank I have just started my first saltwater tank. Its made by clarity plus has anyone heard of them? It looks like a cube the whole back part of tank is wet dry system. has a skimmer in it but that just dont look right just a tube is about 3 inches round with a 1/2 inch hole half way down it and a collection cup at the top. Not shure how to use it or for that matter how to set it up. any help plssssssssssssssssssssss carternewbee Last edited by carternewbee; 12/12/2011 at 03:32 PM. Reason: spelling isnt my best thing lol

12/13/2011, 01:20 PM	#9
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	how much water to change I have a 29 gallon tank how much water should I change per water change? And will this help with cloudy water it wasnt that way till I did a 5 gallon water change. What am I doing wrong? Last edited by carternewbee; 12/13/2011 at 01:22 PM. Reason: more info

12/13/2011, 01:37 PM	#13
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	water change The tank seems to be getting worse should I do another water change last one was three days ago. 5 gallons

12/12/2011, 10:00 AM	#2
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Regular basis

12/12/2011, 11:11 AM	#3
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	I change the water in mine 4-5 times/month and everything has been great. Mine is heavily stocked though. I would say once a week would be optimal, and twice a month if you are lightly stocked and your filtration and feeding habits are within reason. Oh, on a side note, if you wait until it "looks like you should", you are way too late and have really stressed your pets......JMHO

12/12/2011, 12:40 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	[QUOTE=steve888;19618856]I've read that smaller, more frequent changes are better than single large changes (but I know that's debatable). QUOTE] I don't think I would call it debatable, unless there is a compelling reason to make a large water change (removing contaminates from the tank) smaller more frequent water changes are better for your livestock.

12/12/2011, 08:55 PM	#8
dimitrge Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 89	Get in the habit of doing them weekly. Its difficult at first but once you start doing them it gets easier and faster

12/13/2011, 01:25 PM	#11
dimitrge Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 89	I'd do 5 gallon changes. Should help with water clarity as well if there are no other issues.

12/13/2011, 01:35 PM	#12
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Itll help with removing nutrients from your system, but if your having water clarity problems, thats something also to look into

12/13/2011, 01:38 PM	#14
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Define worse......

12/13/2011, 03:28 PM	#15
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	worse cloudy seems to have more detris floating in it also would a fluidized bed filter help? The tank is made by clarity plus 29 gallon with wet dry system built into back part of tank. Would a sock filter be a good idea over the foam filter in center of filter before bio balls? Last edited by carternewbee; 12/13/2011 at 03:43 PM.

12/13/2011, 05:01 PM	#17
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Can you give a pic of the filtration area? Some filter floss maybe able to clear up the water Are you using any type of carbon? And also what are the water parameters

12/13/2011, 06:04 PM	#18
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	foggy tank water I have no carbon filter in the tank water conditions are good I run my salinity at 1.025 do you think that might be a bit low? heres a few pics

12/13/2011, 06:05 PM	#19
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	hope I got the upload of photos right let me know

12/13/2011, 07:38 PM	#20
TjwBlake Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kitchener, ON. Canada Posts: 404	With the nano size tanks a regular water change is a must with how quick things can go south in small tanks. All it has taken for me is 10% weekly, running floss and chemipure and i have had no problems and clear water __________________ Current tank: JbJ Nanocube 28. 1 Falco Hawk, zoas, cabbage leather, trumpet coral, GSP, mushrooms, CUC Current Tank Info: JbJ Nanocube 28

12/15/2011, 01:51 PM	#21
carternewbee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park Minnesota Posts: 24	water change I did do a 5 gallon water change thats when my tank went foggy I plan on doing another one today. I have forgotten to say I have 25 lb live rock and at least 4 inches of live sand on bottom. Tank is well established like I said it was fine untill I made water change.

12/15/2011, 04:12 PM	#23
Meslo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 167	when you do a water change are you mixing the water yourself ? if so you need to mix the salt in the RO/Di water and let it mix over night with some kind of pump in there to keep it circulating.

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