Water Change Frequency?

dcime123 · 02/29/2012, 11:20 AM

Hi All,
I am 6 months in to the hobby. My LFS suggested I do WEEKLY water changes. I have a 30 gallon reef tank w/12 coral, 2 clowns, 2 blue chromis, and 1 striped blenny. I KNOW that is a heavy bioload, and it is in check via ALL tests. My question is, every week or every other week?? I use a skimmer, filter, uv sterilizer as well. Thanks!

Toddrtrex · 02/29/2012, 11:43 AM

For all 3 of my tanks, I do weekly 5 gallon water changes -- notice an improvement every time.

But, you need to work out a water change schedule/amount that works best for you, so that you will do it regularly -- and for me, 5 gallons 3 times a week (( remember, 3 tanks )) works out perfectly for me and my tanks.

jeffesaurusrex · 02/29/2012, 11:55 AM

I had 7g Aquatainers (from Walmart - stackable and very nice) and would do a 7g change every two weeks, that's 14g a month and came out to around 20% of my total water volume monthly. My tank was very healthy and free of algae or any pests during the past several months, so this is a schedule that worked for me. But like Todd said you will have to find something that works for you, because doing a smaller water change monthly is better than planning on doing a weekly water change but then not doing one at all because it's a pain.

In the beginning I tried to do larger changes and it didn't work out for me - I slacked off and stopped doing them altogether. I had a cyano outbreak and got my tank back on track by doing just these small water changes.

h2so4hurts · 02/29/2012, 11:59 AM

I do 5% a week on my 150g. I do a 25% change every week on my wife's 30 cube just because it's easier to make five gallons of SW than to make 1.5...

pakirri · 02/29/2012, 12:10 PM

do a 5% weekly but split it in two water changes to be more stable.

110galreef · 02/29/2012, 12:45 PM

I do 10% ~every 2 mos right now. weekly over rated if your params are in check. Just go by the need of water quality.

1gal every week, 2 gal every week, 2 gal every other week, 5 gal every mo. Whatever work for your tank, budget and schedule

Oh and the 5 fish you have in a 30 is not a HEAVY load. Corals really don't add to the load.

02/29/2012, 11:20 AM	#1
dcime123 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 16	Water Change Frequency? Hi All, I am 6 months in to the hobby. My LFS suggested I do WEEKLY water changes. I have a 30 gallon reef tank w/12 coral, 2 clowns, 2 blue chromis, and 1 striped blenny. I KNOW that is a heavy bioload, and it is in check via ALL tests. My question is, every week or every other week?? I use a skimmer, filter, uv sterilizer as well. Thanks!

02/29/2012, 11:43 AM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	For all 3 of my tanks, I do weekly 5 gallon water changes -- notice an improvement every time. But, you need to work out a water change schedule/amount that works best for you, so that you will do it regularly -- and for me, 5 gallons 3 times a week (( remember, 3 tanks )) works out perfectly for me and my tanks. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/29/2012, 11:55 AM	#3
jeffesaurusrex Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 322	I had 7g Aquatainers (from Walmart - stackable and very nice) and would do a 7g change every two weeks, that's 14g a month and came out to around 20% of my total water volume monthly. My tank was very healthy and free of algae or any pests during the past several months, so this is a schedule that worked for me. But like Todd said you will have to find something that works for you, because doing a smaller water change monthly is better than planning on doing a weekly water change but then not doing one at all because it's a pain. In the beginning I tried to do larger changes and it didn't work out for me - I slacked off and stopped doing them altogether. I had a cyano outbreak and got my tank back on track by doing just these small water changes. __________________ -Jeff Current Tank Info: 29g Biocube - StevesLEDs - MP10 - Apex - Tunze

02/29/2012, 11:59 AM	#4
h2so4hurts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 462	I do 5% a week on my 150g. I do a 25% change every week on my wife's 30 cube just because it's easier to make five gallons of SW than to make 1.5... __________________ 350G SPS reef - tomato clowns&sebae nem-sunburst anthias- Carberryi Anthias-Powder Blue-Whitecheeck-Desjardini Sailfin-Purple Tang-Royal Gramma-Copperband-Spotfin-Engineer Goby-Moorish Idol

02/29/2012, 12:45 PM	#6
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	I do 10% ~every 2 mos right now. weekly over rated if your params are in check. Just go by the need of water quality. 1gal every week, 2 gal every week, 2 gal every other week, 5 gal every mo. Whatever work for your tank, budget and schedule Oh and the 5 fish you have in a 30 is not a HEAVY load. Corals really don't add to the load. __________________ Inwall Basement Setup w/ Growout Tank & Common Acrylic sump, SRO XP3000E, Neptune Apex, Bubble Magus Triple Doser, CLS- Super Dart Gold + OM 4way, 2-400w MH & 4-80w T-5, ROX .08 carbon...

02/29/2012, 12:10 PM	#5
pakirri Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 196	do a 5% weekly but split it in two water changes to be more stable.