Would you still perform water changes???

dileggi · 02/01/2008, 09:00 PM

I have a 5g custom made frameless/topless tank that is presently cycling. The tank has a 150w Viper MHQI.

Because of evaporation, I'm topping off at a rate of 1g per week - 20% of tank volume.

Would you still perform the 10% change weekly in addition to the 20% topoff??

Mel-E-Mel · 02/01/2008, 09:08 PM

Topping off to make up for evap doesnt replace water changes. I usually change out 1 gallon every 3 days on my 5 gallon.

Toddrtrex · 02/01/2008, 09:08 PM

I would, top offs won't remove any of the organics and any other "bad" stuff. Also top offs won't replace any trace elements.

Aquarist007 · 02/01/2008, 09:10 PM

i would also, water changes replace trace elements, restore ph and alkalinity etc

dileggi · 02/01/2008, 09:11 PM

Great! Thanks guys. After reading the posts of topoff's not removing anything from the tank.....so simple to figure out...it never even occurred to me.

Thanks again!

02/01/2008, 09:00 PM	#1
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	Would you still perform water changes??? I have a 5g custom made frameless/topless tank that is presently cycling. The tank has a 150w Viper MHQI. Because of evaporation, I'm topping off at a rate of 1g per week - 20% of tank volume. Would you still perform the 10% change weekly in addition to the 20% topoff?? __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

02/01/2008, 09:08 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I would, top offs won't remove any of the organics and any other "bad" stuff. Also top offs won't replace any trace elements. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/01/2008, 09:10 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	i would also, water changes replace trace elements, restore ph and alkalinity etc __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/01/2008, 09:11 PM	#5
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	Great! Thanks guys. After reading the posts of topoff's not removing anything from the tank.....so simple to figure out...it never even occurred to me. Thanks again! __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

02/01/2008, 09:08 PM	#2
Mel-E-Mel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Shark City San Jose, CA Posts: 1,950	Topping off to make up for evap doesnt replace water changes. I usually change out 1 gallon every 3 days on my 5 gallon.