Is RO a must with a water change?

[sprinklerman500]

My tank is 2 months old and I think its time for a water change?When I do the water change do I have to us RO water.All input is great.TY Chris

 

[cjsparky]

I highly recommend it. I used to use tap, but the algae growth was unbelievable. Cleared up after several W/C with RO based SW.

CJ

 

[gnashty]

Water changes are typically best in 2 week intervals depending on your parameters, just my opinion. Im sure you have livestock in there so I bet your nitrates are high. I would use RO water myself but conditioned tap water is better than no water changes, you will see alot of algae buildup quickly with tap.

 

[smallblock]

you can always use distilled water it gets expensive a RO will pay for itself after 3 or so water changes imo

 

[sharkbait]

As long as your nitrates are in check and are not creeping up there is
no need for a water change. However you will need to add fresh ro water due to evaporation which will slowly raise your salinity level.

 

[sprinklerman500]

Thanks alot every body for the input.My live stock consist of 2 damsels,1 diamond goby and a very nice coral beauty.Will i still need to change every 2 weeks?

 

[smallblock]

nah once a month if your not doing alot of coral that requires prestine conditions

 

[smallblock]

If you get algae problems get a good cleanup crew and it can be maintained pretty easily

 

[gnashty]

just keep your eyes on the nitrates..you dont have alot in the tank so you should be fine if your nitrates and all other params are in check

 

[sharkbait]

I havnt done a water change since I got my 92g corner tank running three months ago. Ask everyone who has been to my house and seen my
reef tank. My coral is just fine. Yes do a water change if your new and don't know how to
keep the water parameters in check. But if you have been in the hobby and
know what you are doing and your nitrates are
fine there is no need for a water change.

 

[smallblock]

iceman832;503533 wrote: i havnt done a water change since i got my 92g corner tank running three months ago. Ask everyone who has been to my house and seen my
reef tank. My coral is just fine. Yes do a water change if your new and don't know how to
keep the water parameters in check. But if you have been in the hobby and
know what you are doing and your nitrates are
fine there is no need for a water change.

+1

 

[sprinklerman500]

Im new to salt but not fresh,I have a good test kit and will check the water again when I get home.And thanks again.It looks like RO is a must to keep the algae down.

 

[sharkbait]

As for algae just make sure your light photo period
is around 6-7hrs and you shouldn't have any
problems. Also check your phosphates, lots of phosphates will equal lots of algae.
But yes a ro unit will in the long run will be one of the most useful pieces of
equipment you will ever own.

 

[smallblock]

they are really not that expensive and really will pay for themselves very quickly. I used to use distilled water and have to pour in about a gallon a day so thats about 28 dollars a month then once a month 20 gallon water change so thats 48 dollars a month. I never even tried using tap water if you live where i live sometimes the water is brown lol. But its a really good investment. Typically you have to replace the filters once a year but if you keep the sediment filter swapped out it will make it last longer. Hope this helped

 

[drnecropolis]

I went about 10 months without a water change before.. Nothing was suffering (except from 6 degree swings a day)..

But, we are talking very light bioload with a decent amount of rock..

 

[dakota9]

wow!!!!!!!

This thread reads like a Jerry Spring reefing episode with all these dark secrets being revealed.

Tap water can be used, depending on your TDS. If that reading is low enough, then go for it..... I personally have a TDS of about 78, and way too high to use tap water. I've seen some TDS as low at 38, and unless it's all copper, you're doing fine to use that.... Get the annual water report from your municiple supplier top know exactly what's in the water, in order to make an informed choice to use tap or not.

I'd also suggest that a small waterchange every few weeks would do wonders for your tank.

 

[mcphock]

I exclusively use tap water for water changes, and I've never an issue with algea growth.

I change 20 gallons out of my 120 every 10 - 14 days, if for nothing else then to replenish trace elements have been depleted my my corals.

 

[sharkbait]

You do know you can dose trace elements.....

 

[mojo]

ICEMAN832;503533 wrote: I havnt done a water change since I got my 92g corner tank running three months ago. Ask everyone who has been to my house and seen my
reef tank. My coral is just fine. Yes do a water change if your new and don't know how to
keep the water parameters in check. But if you have been in the hobby and
know what you are doing and your nitrates are
fine there is no need for a water change.

Tick tock, tick tock....

Let us know how those corals are in a year.

 

[lilrobb]

mojo;503577 wrote: Tick tock, tick tock....

Let us know how those corals are in a year.

+1000

you'll build up stuff you wouldn't ever test for and deplete other stuff you CAN'T even test for...