Water Changes & Evaporation

Dangleflow9 · 08/17/2013, 03:47 PM

Hi,

I'm relatively new to the hobby (coming up on 1 year), and because of this, I do a lot of reading on things like water chemistry. I have done water changes before, but I am in no way on any kind of schedule. After reading a ton, it seems like having a schedule for water changes yields the best results. Any clue why this is?

Second, why are water changes even necessary? I have to put 5 gallons of water in my 125 gal tank about every 4-5 days. That seems like a decent amount of water to me. If the water is evaporating, and I'm replacing it, why do I need to remove even more?

I use RO/DI water, and I understand the purpose of that. I just haven't found anyone offering any explanation for why evaporation doesn't count as a water change. To me, water is going out, and new water is going on. So what's the big deal???

Twostepper4041 · 08/17/2013, 03:57 PM

Oh boy! Seriously? When u do water changes, you are replacing trace minerals that are found in the salt..... If you do not have corals, and just marine fish, then you do not have to do water changes as often... On my 65 gal, I do 2 5gal changes per week... Lots of corals

mtcoins123 · 08/17/2013, 04:17 PM

The other aspect to a water change is exporting excess nutrients and waste doesn't happen with evaporation hth

downbeach · 08/17/2013, 04:55 PM

Here's some reading you probably missed:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/10/aaeditorial
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/watchgantart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm

55350man · 08/17/2013, 06:56 PM

i just read another post that said...."would you like to live in a small box breathing the same air forever, even if it was being filtered and cleaned?"

Timfish · 08/17/2013, 07:09 PM

Total Organic Carbon compounds (lots and lots and lots of different kinds) build up in the water. Although there's no way for the average aquarist to test some are probably refactory in nature which means the only way to get rid of them is with water changes.

evolutionZ · 08/17/2013, 07:37 PM

i never believed in doing no water change, even if its in a ultra large system with ultra low bioload. Yes you can lessen the frequency of water change but i strongly believe one should still do water change. i personally do 10% WC once a week in my 65G despite low nutrients.

mr.maroonsalty · 08/18/2013, 07:11 AM

I do know of tanks that do not do wc's; you all should research them too! Dont flame what you dont know. I clean 10 gallons out three times during every two weeks.

LobsterOfJustice · 08/18/2013, 07:34 AM

Evaporation is not a water change because nitrates, phosphates, and countless other nasties don't evaporate out. Just like how salt is left behind (causing you to top offwith fresh water) all that other junk is left behind too.

terrypercula · 08/18/2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.maroonsalty

I do know of tanks that do not do wc's; you all should research them too! Dont flame what you dont know. I clean 10 gallons out three times during every two weeks.

+1 I know a hanful of people that don't do water changes often. With proper filtration and dosing it's really not necessary to do as much.

Dangleflow9 · 08/18/2013, 10:39 AM

Okay, okay. Now I see. I hadn't found anywhere that explained whether or not waste built up. All of my ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are immeasurable. Is this only temporary? Without water changes this won't last forever?

08/17/2013, 03:47 PM	#1
Dangleflow9 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Central VA/ Western MA Posts: 63	Water Changes & Evaporation Hi, I'm relatively new to the hobby (coming up on 1 year), and because of this, I do a lot of reading on things like water chemistry. I have done water changes before, but I am in no way on any kind of schedule. After reading a ton, it seems like having a schedule for water changes yields the best results. Any clue why this is? Second, why are water changes even necessary? I have to put 5 gallons of water in my 125 gal tank about every 4-5 days. That seems like a decent amount of water to me. If the water is evaporating, and I'm replacing it, why do I need to remove even more? I use RO/DI water, and I understand the purpose of that. I just haven't found anyone offering any explanation for why evaporation doesn't count as a water change. To me, water is going out, and new water is going on. So what's the big deal???

08/17/2013, 04:17 PM	#3
mtcoins123 Far From Average Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Stopitithurtsalready Posts: 467	The other aspect to a water change is exporting excess nutrients and waste doesn't happen with evaporation hth __________________ I would rather be known as an honest sinner than a lying hypocrite Fubar, my life has become..... Current Tank Info: The power company has put the replacement meter bearings on hold until someone else hooks it up :D

08/17/2013, 07:09 PM	#6
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	Total Organic Carbon compounds (lots and lots and lots of different kinds) build up in the water. Although there's no way for the average aquarist to test some are probably refactory in nature which means the only way to get rid of them is with water changes. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

08/18/2013, 07:11 AM	#8
mr.maroonsalty Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: upstateny Posts: 2,504	I do know of tanks that do not do wc's; you all should research them too! Dont flame what you dont know. I clean 10 gallons out three times during every two weeks. __________________ Back from the dead! Current Tank Info: 140 dt reef

08/18/2013, 07:34 AM	#9
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Evaporation is not a water change because nitrates, phosphates, and countless other nasties don't evaporate out. Just like how salt is left behind (causing you to top offwith fresh water) all that other junk is left behind too. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

08/17/2013, 03:57 PM	#2
Twostepper4041 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Columbus Posts: 310	Oh boy! Seriously? When u do water changes, you are replacing trace minerals that are found in the salt..... If you do not have corals, and just marine fish, then you do not have to do water changes as often... On my 65 gal, I do 2 5gal changes per week... Lots of corals

08/17/2013, 04:55 PM	#4
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Here's some reading you probably missed: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/10/aaeditorial http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/watchgantart.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm

08/17/2013, 06:56 PM	#5
55350man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 40	i just read another post that said...."would you like to live in a small box breathing the same air forever, even if it was being filtered and cleaned?"

08/17/2013, 07:37 PM	#7
evolutionZ Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 684	i never believed in doing no water change, even if its in a ultra large system with ultra low bioload. Yes you can lessen the frequency of water change but i strongly believe one should still do water change. i personally do 10% WC once a week in my 65G despite low nutrients.

08/18/2013, 10:39 AM	#11
Dangleflow9 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Central VA/ Western MA Posts: 63	Okay, okay. Now I see. I hadn't found anywhere that explained whether or not waste built up. All of my ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are immeasurable. Is this only temporary? Without water changes this won't last forever?