Water Change and how often?

[Snowman70]

Hi everyone, new to the hobby. How often should one do a water change and when is it appropriate to do? How much of a water change should one do 25%, 50%, etc. Are there any tips you guys may have?

[kevin21]

This is all preference and very much depends on the type of system you have. List your set up and many will be able to chime in their advice.

For example, I have a 28g tank and I do bi-weekly 20% water changes (5 gallons). This is more than enough for my system of LPS/softie corals and 4 fish. If for whatever reason I start to see a nutrient issue (algae), I do weekly changes.

[Googlymoogly]

People do have their own ways they like to do water changes.

Typically its every week or 2. Depending on lots of things such as if your system is running fine nothing bad seems to be going on then you can do every 2 weeks... Typically around 20%.

IF you have high nitrates and what not you can do a bigger change if needed.

Typically the best thing is More frequent, smaller water changes. If you keep doing Big 50% water changes it can affect you system because you are changing parameters more at one time. If you only change 10% once a week your parameters wont change as much which is the best senario.

Some people have automatic water change systems that change out a couple gallons every day. So it depends on your setup, how much work it takes for you to actually do a water change, the amount of time you actually have to complete a water change, your system parameters and if you start getting lazy like most of us and do less and less of them.

[nereefpat]

10% weekly or 20% every 2 weeks is a good rule of thumb or starting point. You can adjust after the system matures and you get more experience.

I would start with regular water changes right after adding the first livestock.

[d0ughb0y]

depends on your bioload. The lower it is, the less water change is needed. each people's tank is different, so do not base your wc schedule on someone else's wc schedule.

[Snowman70]

Thanks everyone for the info. Right now i have a 45 gal cube: 2 clowns as of now, 4 hermit crabs, 9 astrae snails, and 2 corals, a toadstool, mushroom. My water parameters have been ok .2 ammonia, 0 nitrates and nitrites and ph at 8.4.

[Uncle99]

Since water is the most important element, I put and emphasis on frequency and quality. By this, I vastly reduce algae and my tank stays crystal clean.

Source:
RODI only, I have a 250L, so I make 30L of RODI water for the week, 25L for the change, 5L for the daily top off which last the week as well. If TDS goes above 2ppm, or the colour has changed, whichever comes first, I change the DI Resin.

Turning RODI in Saltwater:
In a Brute Container, I add 25L of RODI and have a powerhead as a mixer. Two nights before the change, I mix in the salt and bring the mix to 1.025, as I have corals.

Every Saturday:
I take out 25 litres (10%) and replace with the newly made saltwater. I use all the saltwater in the container and then clean and dry the container for next use.

Been doing it this way for more than 25 years.

Everyone has a different way, frequency, some have not changed water in 6 months.

Depends on what you want to accomplish....

[Snowman70]

Thats interesting ty for the information. do you find it hard to for a newbie to make their own saltwater? I haven't had to change the water yet. Ive been adding RODI as the tank water evaporates, but that is it. I still have not changed the water in the tank. Ive notice everyone does the water change at either 10-20 percent. Ill keep this in mind.

All this information is very helpful thank you everyone.

[Ab129]

Making saltwater is a breeze. I’m a noobie as well and it’s no sweat. I use a measuring cup and add 1/2 cup of Red Sea salt per gallon of rodi water, throw a spare powerhead into the container to mix and it pretty much comes out to 1.025 SG every time. I usually mix about 15-20 gallons at a time.

[tthouston]

Until one day you will ask how can I do not need water change?....hahahaha

[MrHyde]

Might as well just throw the whole routine out the window. Just a bucket of water. lol

[fijisrfr]

Originally Posted by MrHyde

Might as well just throw the whole routine out the window. Just a bucket of water. lol

Yup, 5 gallons a week should be fine


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[Cancun]

Originally Posted by Snowman70

Hi everyone, new to the hobby. How often should one do a water change and when is it appropriate to do? How much of a water change should one do 25%, 50%, etc. Are there any tips you guys may have?

Hi there!!! I do a 10% water change once a week without fail.... when I first started in this hobby years ago I did a 20% once a month for about a year....in my tank that didn't work out so well....I found that by doing a 10% once a week my water quality is excellent and stable. So in my tank once a week has worked well for me. I recommend small water changes as opposed to one large one a month. At a minimum 20% a month in my opinion. That also depends on how often you feed and stocking levels too. Every tank is different though....and I am sure you will get a lot of opinions.

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