Ideal water change schedule?

rob020880 · 10/10/2008, 08:56 PM

Hello Everyone,

I am running a reef tank that has about a 140 gal total system volume. I was wondering what the ideal water change schedule would be? How many gallons should I change and how often.

I was wondering because I have been doing large once monthly changes, and was thinking I may be causing problems by changing too much at once. What are your thoughts?

xenon · 10/10/2008, 09:15 PM

1gallon per day 365days per year.

rob020880 · 10/10/2008, 09:23 PM

That seems like a fair amount of work. Any other ideas?

Aj Flip · 10/10/2008, 09:26 PM

prolly 2 salt buckets a week

reefergeorge · 10/10/2008, 09:27 PM

It really doesn't matter. What ever works for you. I do 10% a week, but 25% once a month works for others.

Freed · 10/10/2008, 09:28 PM

I don't do water changes.

atvdave · 10/10/2008, 09:37 PM

I do mine about every 2 to 3 weeks. I have about a 165g total system volume. I do about a 35 to 40g water change every time.

It's best to do a little every day, but that's imposable for me and like you said... way to much work...

I stick with a 2 to 3 week schedule. It works for me anyways.

widmer · 10/10/2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Freed
I don't do water changes.

I used to be all fight the power too, but even with carbon running, I can't help but wonder what miscellaneous toxins might be accumulating from random organisms, or what trace elements might be nearly used up....

To answer the question, eventually I'd like to install a system that is continuously changing water in and out, which is what Randy Holmes-Farley does. Not because his name is attached to it, but because it also makes the most sense- it gives the aquarium very gradual transition from old to new water, and is probably quite a bit easier than the standard xx-gallons out/xx-gallons in. For your case, regardless of the method, maybe 30 gallons/month or so? Probably the more the merrier if you're matching temp and alk etc...

Toddrtrex · 10/10/2008, 11:32 PM

IMO you should do what works best for you, and allows you to keep doing it. Meaning, if you are doing too large of one too often that you don't like doing it you won't end up doing them.

For me, 5 gallons each week works great for me, for each of my tanks. Obviously my 29 is getting a bigger % change each week compared to my 75, but it works for me and I do them consistently.

Tangweed · 10/10/2008, 11:37 PM

Every 3-4 weeks for me.

Zegg · 10/11/2008, 12:04 AM

Smaller more often IMO is better... my 120 or so system gets 7.5 to 10 gallons twice weekly depending on condtions but atleast 15 gallons once a week minimum. Use Natural Seawater no supplements, only use carbon, skimmer, micron sock for filtration.

24g aquapid used to do 1 gallon eveeryday but then decided to do 5 gals a week. As it drains i fill with fresh seawaer at the same time. I only run a bag of carbon and 1/3 of 1 sponge it comes with to catch large debris.

10/10/2008, 08:56 PM	#1
rob020880 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,019	Ideal water change schedule? Hello Everyone, I am running a reef tank that has about a 140 gal total system volume. I was wondering what the ideal water change schedule would be? How many gallons should I change and how often. I was wondering because I have been doing large once monthly changes, and was thinking I may be causing problems by changing too much at once. What are your thoughts?

10/10/2008, 09:27 PM	#5
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	It really doesn't matter. What ever works for you. I do 10% a week, but 25% once a month works for others. __________________ $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.

10/10/2008, 09:28 PM	#6
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	I don't do water changes. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

10/10/2008, 11:32 PM	#9
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	IMO you should do what works best for you, and allows you to keep doing it. Meaning, if you are doing too large of one too often that you don't like doing it you won't end up doing them. For me, 5 gallons each week works great for me, for each of my tanks. Obviously my 29 is getting a bigger % change each week compared to my 75, but it works for me and I do them consistently. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

10/10/2008, 11:37 PM	#10
Tangweed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mohnton, PA Posts: 1,002	Every 3-4 weeks for me. __________________ Thanks! Jeremy Current Tank Info: 90 gal with 40 gal breeder sump / fuge, Octo skimmer, lights and some water.

10/10/2008, 09:15 PM	#2
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	1gallon per day 365days per year.

10/10/2008, 09:23 PM	#3
rob020880 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,019	That seems like a fair amount of work. Any other ideas?

10/10/2008, 09:26 PM	#4
Aj Flip Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 802	prolly 2 salt buckets a week

10/10/2008, 09:37 PM	#7
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	I do mine about every 2 to 3 weeks. I have about a 165g total system volume. I do about a 35 to 40g water change every time. It's best to do a little every day, but that's imposable for me and like you said... way to much work... I stick with a 2 to 3 week schedule. It works for me anyways.

10/11/2008, 12:04 AM	#11
Zegg Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Laguna Hills Posts: 785	Smaller more often IMO is better... my 120 or so system gets 7.5 to 10 gallons twice weekly depending on condtions but atleast 15 gallons once a week minimum. Use Natural Seawater no supplements, only use carbon, skimmer, micron sock for filtration. 24g aquapid used to do 1 gallon eveeryday but then decided to do 5 gals a week. As it drains i fill with fresh seawaer at the same time. I only run a bag of carbon and 1/3 of 1 sponge it comes with to catch large debris. __________________ SCRK Member Current Tank Info: 400 FOWLR Last edited by Zegg; 10/11/2008 at 12:30 AM.