25 gal tank / 5 gal water change

Ronny#66 · 05/03/2008, 07:57 AM

I mix up 5 gal change every week have been doing a 3 gal change weekly . But once in a while have 0.25 amonia after I do the change so I do another 5 gal to get it down. This week amonia is ok should I go ahead and do the 5 gal every week will that upset balance of biological goings on in tank. By the way never have any nitrate or nitrite when i test never had any even when tank was cycling and test kits are ok .

Capt_Cully · 05/03/2008, 08:26 AM

you might be kicking stuff up off of your LR when you pour the water in, accounting for the nitrates. do you test the new water before you add it?

personally I'd go with a 5 gal change every week if you can swing it. your tank will always benefit as long as you use a quality salt mix and are sure there's no phosphates or nitrates in the "new" water.

frank2926 · 05/03/2008, 08:32 AM

If you have amonia after a change it could be a couple of things.
Your new water has amonia in it, or your salt . Are you using an RO unit? have you tested your tap water for amonia?

Capt_Cully · 05/03/2008, 08:35 AM

OT, hey Frank, one of my best friends is from Philly, do all you guys look like Paulie Walnuts???

Just kidding, LOVE the avatar!

Ronny#66 · 05/03/2008, 08:38 AM

Capt love that pic I'm in Syracuse area every week . I don't have nitrates or nitrite ever.

Ronny#66 · 05/03/2008, 08:39 AM

yes on RO/DI

Capt_Cully · 05/03/2008, 08:44 AM

I think you should be good. I used to be irratic to say the least with my water changes. I decided to get more consistent and go bigger with them. I do it everyweek and have noticed corals are growing better and algae is down.

We've got a guy here in Syr that doesn't have a storefront, but runs a saltwater business by appoint, and takes requests. If you ever stop in SYR and are unhappy about the shops PM me and I'll give you the details. His rep is getting pretty good around here. I've gotten lots of stuff from him. Good stuff, and CHEAP!

frank2926 · 05/03/2008, 08:52 AM

My family says I do look like him . The family I dont talk to anymore
lol

Check your tap water for amonia. Do you change your carbon and prefilters every 6 months are they do? if you have amonia (chloromines) you need 2 carbon prefilters.

Toddrtrex · 05/03/2008, 09:57 AM

In general there is nothing wrong with doing a 5 gallon change with a 25 gallon tank. I do 5 with my 29 each week, I use old salt buckets so it is easiest to do that amount.

Is this tank just set up and still cycling? If that is the case I wouldn't be concerned about the ammonia. However if this is an established tank, then you should be concerned. Test your water change water, to see what the level of its ammonia is.

05/03/2008, 07:57 AM	#1
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	25 gal tank / 5 gal water change I mix up 5 gal change every week have been doing a 3 gal change weekly . But once in a while have 0.25 amonia after I do the change so I do another 5 gal to get it down. This week amonia is ok should I go ahead and do the 5 gal every week will that upset balance of biological goings on in tank. By the way never have any nitrate or nitrite when i test never had any even when tank was cycling and test kits are ok .

05/03/2008, 08:26 AM	#2
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	you might be kicking stuff up off of your LR when you pour the water in, accounting for the nitrates. do you test the new water before you add it? personally I'd go with a 5 gal change every week if you can swing it. your tank will always benefit as long as you use a quality salt mix and are sure there's no phosphates or nitrates in the "new" water. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

05/03/2008, 08:35 AM	#4
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	OT, hey Frank, one of my best friends is from Philly, do all you guys look like Paulie Walnuts??? Just kidding, LOVE the avatar! __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

05/03/2008, 08:44 AM	#7
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I think you should be good. I used to be irratic to say the least with my water changes. I decided to get more consistent and go bigger with them. I do it everyweek and have noticed corals are growing better and algae is down. We've got a guy here in Syr that doesn't have a storefront, but runs a saltwater business by appoint, and takes requests. If you ever stop in SYR and are unhappy about the shops PM me and I'll give you the details. His rep is getting pretty good around here. I've gotten lots of stuff from him. Good stuff, and CHEAP! __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

05/03/2008, 09:57 AM	#9
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	In general there is nothing wrong with doing a 5 gallon change with a 25 gallon tank. I do 5 with my 29 each week, I use old salt buckets so it is easiest to do that amount. Is this tank just set up and still cycling? If that is the case I wouldn't be concerned about the ammonia. However if this is an established tank, then you should be concerned. Test your water change water, to see what the level of its ammonia is. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/03/2008, 08:32 AM	#3
frank2926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: phila Posts: 1,645	If you have amonia after a change it could be a couple of things. Your new water has amonia in it, or your salt . Are you using an RO unit? have you tested your tap water for amonia?

05/03/2008, 08:38 AM	#5
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Capt love that pic I'm in Syracuse area every week . I don't have nitrates or nitrite ever.

05/03/2008, 08:39 AM	#6
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	yes on RO/DI

05/03/2008, 08:52 AM	#8
frank2926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: phila Posts: 1,645	My family says I do look like him . The family I dont talk to anymore lol Check your tap water for amonia. Do you change your carbon and prefilters every 6 months are they do? if you have amonia (chloromines) you need 2 carbon prefilters.