5%, 10%, 20%? Water change schedule. Opinions!

[ralph atl]

Adisport;932209 wrote: Does anyone else support this opinion? These seems very extreme to me. I like the idea of topping off trace minerals, removing a lot of waste and adding O2 but I tend to agree with Jenn that even the most compatible water still will cause an imbalance, chemically, if you do such a large change.

apparently, yes...

Ringo®;932251 wrote: Sure. You just have to take extra precautions to make sure you don't throw anything too out of whack.

heathlindner25;932292 wrote: I do!

Declanisadog;932301 wrote: You can't argue with his results. I personally have always done 20% weekly.

Skriz;932418 wrote: Water changes correct water issues and imbalances, not cause them. large water changes are great. I have never seen corals and fish happier than after a large wc.

Assuming you're using a quality salt mix, you won't need to adjust Ca, etc. Even with a deficient salt, your calcium reactor should handle it.

very important here...^^^




although there are hundreds of "big name" successful long term pro's that have quoted large weekly or biweekly water changes...The person I respect the most for his knowlegde of fish & corals, and specifically, Tamarin Wrasses & Leopards & SPS coral is Kevin Kohen director of LiveAquaria (Diver's Den).

Kevin's own tanks in his office,

"Water changes are 30% per week."

albeit, I couldn't find his explantion as he has a much better quote somewhere, but I gotta go! lol

 

[jhutto]

His parent company sells salt too...

 

[skyking]

And don't forget. Not only do you have to find the perfect balance for doing water changes in your particular tank, but you have to find YOUR perfect balance for doing them. Don't burn yourself out on the maintenance aspect to the point where you dread caring for your critters. Once you reach that point, it's bad for everybody.
30% every 2 weeks works for me.