Do I need to change my water weekly even if my parameters are reading perfect. I have had two clowns in 16 gallons of water for a week all is well. I have not done a water change at all since I started the system 2 months ago. Still has my water in it for my cycle. If I do a water change how my water do I need to change also thanks for the help
Water change
- Thread starter tpate77
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Short answer, yes. Although yout params are okay, you need to remove buildup of waste and control nutrient levels. Do a small, weekly or bi-weekly water change and make it routine.
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I would do 2 gallons a week that's alittle more then 10 percent a week
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Keep in mind that one is only testing for a handful of "toxins". I change 40% once a month.
gabbagabbawill
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All you could ever want to know and more about water changes for reef aquariums:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php</a>
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http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php</a>
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gabbagabbawill
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That's a good question...
There are plenty of other reasons to do water changes that you haven't listed...
For example, do you dose Two Part additives? Calcium Chloride additions will build up Chloride ions while the calcium is used up... the only way to deplete these to normal levels is through water changes. The same goes for sulfate ions which are added through dosing magnesium (Magnesium Sulfate/ epsom salts).
The other reason for water changes is to deplete ions that are not tested... are you testing heavy metals or toxin buildup? Your skimmer and GAC are not going to remove EVERY element that can become toxic in higher concentrations.
Also, unless you are testing for "trace elements" how do you know that you are keeping the correct levels? Water changes safeguards you against this...
Now, don't get me wrong, I have wanted to get away from doing water changes as much as possible myself... however, I'm adding a few more steps to my regimen to allow me to get closer to this, but still require me to do so...
For one, I am using a calcium reactor. This means that I am not adding chloride ions out of balance with seawater by dosing two part. I don't dose anything except for Magnesium. But, by dosing magnesium I still have to be concerned with chloride and sulfate ions (as I use a combination of magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate) building up.
I run WM Ecobak biopellets and I have had zero nitrates for months now. My phosphates are detectable, but I am working to reduce these as well.
I run a Polyfilter brand filter as well as Purigen and GAC to filter out toxins and heavy metals... I think this is an important step that allows me to get away with fewer water changes...
Still, I believe that water changes are necessary to LONG-term stability and health... while short term, we may not see a big difference, it is the long term effects of an element/ion building up with no depletion that I am concerned about. I am not testing for these things, so water changes give me peace of mind and security.
There are plenty of other reasons to do water changes that you haven't listed...
For example, do you dose Two Part additives? Calcium Chloride additions will build up Chloride ions while the calcium is used up... the only way to deplete these to normal levels is through water changes. The same goes for sulfate ions which are added through dosing magnesium (Magnesium Sulfate/ epsom salts).
The other reason for water changes is to deplete ions that are not tested... are you testing heavy metals or toxin buildup? Your skimmer and GAC are not going to remove EVERY element that can become toxic in higher concentrations.
Also, unless you are testing for "trace elements" how do you know that you are keeping the correct levels? Water changes safeguards you against this...
Now, don't get me wrong, I have wanted to get away from doing water changes as much as possible myself... however, I'm adding a few more steps to my regimen to allow me to get closer to this, but still require me to do so...
For one, I am using a calcium reactor. This means that I am not adding chloride ions out of balance with seawater by dosing two part. I don't dose anything except for Magnesium. But, by dosing magnesium I still have to be concerned with chloride and sulfate ions (as I use a combination of magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate) building up.
I run WM Ecobak biopellets and I have had zero nitrates for months now. My phosphates are detectable, but I am working to reduce these as well.
I run a Polyfilter brand filter as well as Purigen and GAC to filter out toxins and heavy metals... I think this is an important step that allows me to get away with fewer water changes...
Still, I believe that water changes are necessary to LONG-term stability and health... while short term, we may not see a big difference, it is the long term effects of an element/ion building up with no depletion that I am concerned about. I am not testing for these things, so water changes give me peace of mind and security.
