When to change water

Curtis1551 · 03/31/2007, 05:00 PM

I have been doing some read on water changing. Some of the posts I read refer to "signs" that indicate a water change is needed. I am wondering what thoughs signs are. Is it just a high level of Nitrate or is there more to it?

sir_dudeguy · 03/31/2007, 05:12 PM

nitrates and other things. Could be phosphates, nitrite, and if you've got amonia, do an immediate water change. But it can be low levels too, like if your calcium is low (from being used up by corals) and same with other stuff. If you dont have any corals, i'd say do it like once a month if you're not having any real algae problems (i dont mean the normal "new tank" algae either).

omni2226 · 03/31/2007, 05:14 PM

Well to me waiting on "signs" is putting the diaper on the baby after it has already peed.

Set up a regular time. Every two weeks or once a month.
Not only does changing the water help remove the nastys in the water,it also replenishes the trace elements that have been used up.

On my 55 I change 10% (5 gallons) every two weeks. If by the month I would up it to 10 gallons.

angelsj247 · 03/31/2007, 05:14 PM

you never want your nitrates to be up.. you want to change it befor you nitrates would go up. i change my water every other week.. about a 20-25% change. and every 6 months or so i do a 40-50% change.

angelsj247 · 03/31/2007, 05:15 PM

some only do about a 15 percent change every other week.

zoomfish1 · 03/31/2007, 06:49 PM

I think a good habit to get into would be 15%every week. That is a pretty tough schedule to keep sometimes, but well worth the effort.

You don't want the tank to show that it needs a water change before you do it. It's purely preventive maintenance for your tank.

kfowler · 03/31/2007, 06:55 PM

I do 10% every week. I contribute a lot of my success to this method.

lakshwadeep · 03/31/2007, 07:24 PM

Try mixing water in a new plastic trash can with a powerhead/heater for aerated circulation and exact tank temperature. That way, water changes will only take as long as it takes for you to siphon how much tank water you want. So, try to do 10-15% every week. That's your best way of adding the right "supplements" by putting the exact element ratios your tank needs.

lakshwadeep · 03/31/2007, 07:26 PM

The schedule I mentioned is used by Christopher Marks, creator of nano-reef.com. While that site is focused on nano-reefs, frequent water changes will help any size tank.

dtaranath · 03/31/2007, 08:47 PM

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

03/31/2007, 05:00 PM	#1
Curtis1551 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 62	When to change water I have been doing some read on water changing. Some of the posts I read refer to "signs" that indicate a water change is needed. I am wondering what thoughs signs are. Is it just a high level of Nitrate or is there more to it? __________________ ~Curtis 55 gal FOWLR -Citron Clown Goby -Lawnmower Blenny -Ocellaris Clownfish -Purple Urchin Current Tank Info: 55g FOWLR

03/31/2007, 05:12 PM	#2
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	nitrates and other things. Could be phosphates, nitrite, and if you've got amonia, do an immediate water change. But it can be low levels too, like if your calcium is low (from being used up by corals) and same with other stuff. If you dont have any corals, i'd say do it like once a month if you're not having any real algae problems (i dont mean the normal "new tank" algae either). __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

03/31/2007, 05:14 PM	#3
omni2226 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Middle Florida Posts: 774	Well to me waiting on "signs" is putting the diaper on the baby after it has already peed. Set up a regular time. Every two weeks or once a month. Not only does changing the water help remove the nastys in the water,it also replenishes the trace elements that have been used up. On my 55 I change 10% (5 gallons) every two weeks. If by the month I would up it to 10 gallons. __________________ I know enough to know I know nothing. Current Tank Info: 55 Marine. 29 Freshwater planted.

03/31/2007, 05:14 PM	#4
angelsj247 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 866	you never want your nitrates to be up.. you want to change it befor you nitrates would go up. i change my water every other week.. about a 20-25% change. and every 6 months or so i do a 40-50% change. __________________ 2 perc clownfish, 2 peppermint shrimp, astrea, turbo, & nassarius snails, 20 lbs Live Rock Current Tank Info: 20gal FOWLR

03/31/2007, 05:15 PM	#5
angelsj247 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 866	some only do about a 15 percent change every other week. __________________ 2 perc clownfish, 2 peppermint shrimp, astrea, turbo, & nassarius snails, 20 lbs Live Rock Current Tank Info: 20gal FOWLR

03/31/2007, 06:49 PM	#6
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	I think a good habit to get into would be 15%every week. That is a pretty tough schedule to keep sometimes, but well worth the effort. You don't want the tank to show that it needs a water change before you do it. It's purely preventive maintenance for your tank. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

03/31/2007, 06:55 PM	#7
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	I do 10% every week. I contribute a lot of my success to this method. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

03/31/2007, 07:24 PM	#8
lakshwadeep Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: OKC Posts: 39	Try mixing water in a new plastic trash can with a powerhead/heater for aerated circulation and exact tank temperature. That way, water changes will only take as long as it takes for you to siphon how much tank water you want. So, try to do 10-15% every week. That's your best way of adding the right "supplements" by putting the exact element ratios your tank needs. __________________ Malcolm Current Tank Info: 20g high (3rd reincarnation)

03/31/2007, 07:26 PM	#9
lakshwadeep Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: OKC Posts: 39	The schedule I mentioned is used by Christopher Marks, creator of nano-reef.com. While that site is focused on nano-reefs, frequent water changes will help any size tank. __________________ Malcolm Current Tank Info: 20g high (3rd reincarnation)

03/31/2007, 08:47 PM	#10
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef