Water Change Questions

Tautoga · 12/27/2015, 04:04 PM

Yes I know I need to do them, no arguement there
I see different practices in some of my reading here so I was wondering.

Right now I have a 75 gallon tank and I am doing 10 gallons a week.

Is this enough?

Would the same or more volume be better every two weeks be better than every week?

How often do you vacuum the sand?

Ive got a mesh bag (not a sock) on my outflow to catch most of the debris from the tank and this is cleaned once a week. So far there is always stuff in there but I wouldnt call it alot. The mesh size is probably around 700-800 microns. Should I clean this more often and should I use a smaller mesh?

My water quality seems to be holding steady at 0 NH3, 0 NO2 and 5 NO3 and 0 PO4

It takes me literally 10-15 min to do a water change and clean the mesh bag so its not a big deal. Just wondering what people think is best.

Thanks

gone fishin · 12/27/2015, 04:34 PM

How much of a WC and the frequency will depend on your tank. If it is lightly stocked then you may be able to less than what you do, on the other hand if it is moderately to heavily stocked then the volume and frequency may need to be increased. WC scheduled can also vary depending on equipment for example skimmer, various types of reactors, refugiums, carbon dosing. Good luck just my 2 cents

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

How much of a WC and the frequency will depend on your tank. If it is lightly stocked then you may be able to less than what you do, on the other hand if it is moderately to heavily stocked then the volume and frequency may need to be increased. WC scheduled can also vary depending on equipment for example skimmer, various types of reactors, refugiums, carbon dosing. Good luck just my 2 cents

+1
If your parameters stay good then that means your doing enough of a water change.

thegrun · 12/27/2015, 07:58 PM

I agree with the above posts as far as the amount of water you change. In general smaller more frequent water changes are best as you change your water chemistry less with smaller water changes which causes less stress to your livestock. I vacuum the detritus off the sand about once a month, but it usually isn't necessary and the need varies with each tank and the clean up crew you use. Any mechanical filter should be changed out once every 3-4 days or it will start to increase your nitrate levels. I've used filter socks (100 or 200 micron) on and off through the years. There are advantages (generally cleaner tanks) and disadvantages (generally lower pod populations) to using or not using filter socks or other mechanical filtration devices and to be completely honest after many years of having tanks with or without filters I haven't decided myself which method is best. I would say for sure that if you are not willing to clean the filters on a regular 3-4 day period you are better off not to use them at all.

Marchillo · 12/27/2015, 08:02 PM

Yup agree with what everyone is saying. I also do 10G a week on my 80G and my nitrates are less than 5

12/27/2015, 04:04 PM	#1
Tautoga Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 113	Water Change Questions Yes I know I need to do them, no arguement there I see different practices in some of my reading here so I was wondering. Right now I have a 75 gallon tank and I am doing 10 gallons a week. Is this enough? Would the same or more volume be better every two weeks be better than every week? How often do you vacuum the sand? Ive got a mesh bag (not a sock) on my outflow to catch most of the debris from the tank and this is cleaned once a week. So far there is always stuff in there but I wouldnt call it alot. The mesh size is probably around 700-800 microns. Should I clean this more often and should I use a smaller mesh? My water quality seems to be holding steady at 0 NH3, 0 NO2 and 5 NO3 and 0 PO4 It takes me literally 10-15 min to do a water change and clean the mesh bag so its not a big deal. Just wondering what people think is best. Thanks

12/27/2015, 04:34 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	How much of a WC and the frequency will depend on your tank. If it is lightly stocked then you may be able to less than what you do, on the other hand if it is moderately to heavily stocked then the volume and frequency may need to be increased. WC scheduled can also vary depending on equipment for example skimmer, various types of reactors, refugiums, carbon dosing. Good luck just my 2 cents __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

12/27/2015, 08:02 PM	#5
Marchillo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,178	Yup agree with what everyone is saying. I also do 10G a week on my 80G and my nitrates are less than 5 __________________ 80G Frag as DT Proflex Sump Model2 Reef Octopus Skimmer 2xMP10 & 2XR30W Pros I love technology

12/27/2015, 07:58 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I agree with the above posts as far as the amount of water you change. In general smaller more frequent water changes are best as you change your water chemistry less with smaller water changes which causes less stress to your livestock. I vacuum the detritus off the sand about once a month, but it usually isn't necessary and the need varies with each tank and the clean up crew you use. Any mechanical filter should be changed out once every 3-4 days or it will start to increase your nitrate levels. I've used filter socks (100 or 200 micron) on and off through the years. There are advantages (generally cleaner tanks) and disadvantages (generally lower pod populations) to using or not using filter socks or other mechanical filtration devices and to be completely honest after many years of having tanks with or without filters I haven't decided myself which method is best. I would say for sure that if you are not willing to clean the filters on a regular 3-4 day period you are better off not to use them at all.