Interesting Conversation.. water change once a year?

[umbrellacorp]

I was at the tattoo/piercing place a couple days ago, and i noticed the owner had a big tank.. prolly about 120g or so. All he had in it was a bunch of LR and one big Blue Tang. I started talking to him about it and he said ever since he put the LR in he hasnt done anything to the tank or needed anything for the tank. He said he tests his water about every 6 months and does a water change once a year?? I didnt know what to think. The tank looked relatively clean. Just some algae on the sides and front here and there. The tang looked okay. Do you guys think this is even possible? I did ask if he needed anyone for maintenance.. so its possible he was lying to me to get rid of me... but i dont see the point in that, he could have just said he took care of it on his own or something. I just cant believe a tank can go a whole year without a water change, regardless of the type of equipment he had, and that some one would only test their water every six months.

 

[jennm]

Maybe that's why he only has one fish...

I'd be curious about how much nitrate is in there...

Just because he "can" get away with that, "should" he?

Methinks not.

Jenn

 

[dakota9]

Thats a pretty light bio-load for a tank that size.

Yes, it can be done, but probably not optimum

 

[demifelix]

I think it's highly possible. I have been trying to not do WC for the past 4 months now, just dose trace elements, just to see how everything is doing. So far it's been ok, nitrates crept up from 5 up to 15 now after 4 months of no WC. I have 150 gal with 7 big fish and lots of corals. I'm not saying it's the best way, but I'm just exploring different ways to do things.

 

[raz0945]

Did you ask what he feeds and how ofter he feeds the fish? I have noticed with my 2 big pleco(14" each) that the nitrates do not go up as fast as with my salt water. Would that be because I feed algea disks and that is veggie based food, same as you would feed a tang?

 

[acroholic]

Not a fair comparison to a reef tank with only LR and one fish.

The problem I see with doing a once a year WC or extended periods without a WC is the accumulation of what you don't know. There are so many things excreted by corals. With this system you are only adding and acumulating, not removing. Protein skimming pulls some organics, and trace elements can be added, but I would fear what is staying, accumulating, and eventually becoming unhealthy for the fish and corals in a system with no WCs.

 

[chef jeff]

Acroholic;704233 wrote: Not a fair comparison to a reef tank with only LR and one fish.

The problem I see with doing a once a year WC or extended periods without a WC is the accumulation of what you don't know. There are so many things excreted by corals. With this system you are only adding and acumulating, not removing. Protein skimming pulls some organics, and trace elements can be added, but I would fear what is staying, accumulating, and eventually becoming unhealthy for the fish and corals in a system with no WCs.

+1

No other way to say it: "The solution to pollution is dilution."

 

[snowmansnow]

maybe he had a GINORMOUS skimmer in the back somewhere haha

 

[raz0945]

I will stick to my once a week water change, sometime more often if I feel I may have a problem starting(I have a new fish and I am feeding it 4 or 5 times a day). Thanks, Holley

 

[heyitsmirix3]

What's a water change ??? But honestly, I don't do water changes as most of the guys and gals on here. But I think with good filtration you can get away with a lot more than you think. I do a 10 -15 % water change maybe every 6-8+ weeks. My parameters are not perfect, but everything is thriving and happy.

Params
Alk. - 9.0
PH - 8.32
Phosphate - 0.0
Nit - >0.5
Amnonia - 0.0
Calcium - 430-450
Mag - 1350-1400

Last water change 3 weeks ago, 30 gallons instant ocean mix.

Edit: Auto feeder comes on 3 times a day, each feeding 2 times I. 1 min interval. More fish than the northern Atlantic for bioload. Guidance is importsnt, but in the end Do what works for your tank.

 

[grouper therapy]

Heyitsmirix3;704281 wrote: What's a water change ??? But honestly, I don't do water changes as most of the guys and gals on here. But I think with good filtration you can get away with a lot more than you think. I do a 10 -15 % water change maybe every 6-8+ weeks. My parameters are not perfect, but everything is thriving and happy.

Params
Alk. - 9.0
PH - 8.32
Phosphate - 0.0
Nit - >0.5
Amnonia - 0.0
Calcium - 430-450
Mag - 1350-1400

Last water change 3 weeks ago, 30 gallons instant ocean mix.

Edit: Auto feeder comes on 3 times a day, each feeding 2 times I. 1 min interval. More fish than the northern Atlantic for bioload. Guidance is importsnt, but in the end Do what works for your tank.

let's see some pics:thumbs:

 

[heyitsmirix3]

I'll do one better I will post a vid!!!

 

[rdnelson]

Looking forward to seeing the vid.

 

[dakota9]

Popcorn anyone?

 

[skriz]

Sure, you can do it. You can</em> also change your underwear only once a year.

 

[rdnelson]

Skriz;704304 wrote: Sure, you can do it. You can</em> also change your underwear only once a year.

You mean I am supposed to do that more than once a year????? Oh, man!!!!