Confused about water changes.

PirateLove · 01/08/2016, 02:25 PM

Hi RC. I am very confused. I have been taking the last 48 hours to get my magnesium, alkalinity, and calcium to proper levels in my tank. I use reef crystals. So if my magnesium is 1400, alk 9.3, and calcium 420 do I have to make sure my water in my brute trash can is to those levels?

Wont I throw everything off with weekly water changes?

thanks

scooter31707 · 01/08/2016, 02:27 PM

Yes, that is possible. That's why you see some hobbyist use a salt brand that are close to their parameters, adjusting if necessary. Now another option would be to dose the brute can with Ca and Alk to match your tank parameter.

jason2459 · 01/08/2016, 02:29 PM

I would just make sure the temp and salinity is the same and preferably at 1.0265 or 35ppt. If doing small water change just the salinity.

A couple good reads:
Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Dkuhlmann · 01/08/2016, 06:25 PM

I agree with Jason, when doing a water change just make sure the temp and sg of the new mix matches the DT.

gone fishin · 01/09/2016, 07:09 AM

FWIW when I do a WC I get the salinity where I want it and I don't worry about matching alk or calc.

CStrickland · 01/09/2016, 09:56 AM

I don't worry about temp unless I'm changing more than 20%. For my regular 10%ers the whole mixing process with the powerhead motor etc gets the water up to like 50 degrees, sometimes higher if I have leftover from last week at room temp. That's not enough to meaningfully affect my DT temp.

leviburns89 · 01/09/2016, 10:14 AM

I agree that if you want to maintain those nutrient amounts, you will either need to use a supplement, or use a salt mix that provides said amounts.

Sk8r · 01/09/2016, 04:41 PM

If your chosen salt brand is making it difficult to maintain parameters, consider changing brands. They differ.

leviburns89 · 01/09/2016, 05:32 PM

+1 ^^^

Sk8r is one of the leading sources of information on the net to date. Take his/her word to heart.

01/08/2016, 02:25 PM	#1
PirateLove Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 511	Confused about water changes. Hi RC. I am very confused. I have been taking the last 48 hours to get my magnesium, alkalinity, and calcium to proper levels in my tank. I use reef crystals. So if my magnesium is 1400, alk 9.3, and calcium 420 do I have to make sure my water in my brute trash can is to those levels? Wont I throw everything off with weekly water changes? thanks __________________ "Pirate love, is what I'm looking for. Pirate love, is what i'm wanted for." Current tank: Cad Lights 42 versa. Kessil AP700. Some Sps and Lps.

01/08/2016, 02:29 PM	#3
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I would just make sure the temp and salinity is the same and preferably at 1.0265 or 35ppt. If doing small water change just the salinity. A couple good reads: Water Changes in Reef Aquaria http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php Reef Aquarium Water Parameters http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

01/08/2016, 06:25 PM	#4
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	I agree with Jason, when doing a water change just make sure the temp and sg of the new mix matches the DT. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

01/09/2016, 07:09 AM	#5
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	FWIW when I do a WC I get the salinity where I want it and I don't worry about matching alk or calc. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

01/09/2016, 09:56 AM	#6
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	I don't worry about temp unless I'm changing more than 20%. For my regular 10%ers the whole mixing process with the powerhead motor etc gets the water up to like 50 degrees, sometimes higher if I have leftover from last week at room temp. That's not enough to meaningfully affect my DT temp. __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

01/08/2016, 02:27 PM	#2
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Yes, that is possible. That's why you see some hobbyist use a salt brand that are close to their parameters, adjusting if necessary. Now another option would be to dose the brute can with Ca and Alk to match your tank parameter.

01/09/2016, 10:14 AM	#7
leviburns89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 652	I agree that if you want to maintain those nutrient amounts, you will either need to use a supplement, or use a salt mix that provides said amounts.

01/09/2016, 04:41 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If your chosen salt brand is making it difficult to maintain parameters, consider changing brands. They differ. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/09/2016, 05:32 PM	#9
leviburns89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 652	+1 ^^^ Sk8r is one of the leading sources of information on the net to date. Take his/her word to heart.