water change ?

[firefishred]

what % of water should be taken out week or bi-weekly??

[meco65]

10% to 15%

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Not to be a discouragement at all, but that's a pretty aggressive water change schedule. Most people are probably doing more like 20% once a month or every other month.

More frequent changes are great though, of course. But lots of work!

[firefishred]

even for a 25 reef tank?

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Ah ok, a semi-nano. Weekly or bi-weekly is probably the way to go, then.

[dcombs44]

For a tank that small, 10 - 15 every couple weeks would be good.

[ahullsb]

I would do 5 gallons every week or two if I were you. Probably every two weeks. I change 10 gallons out of my 55 every two weeks. Most people say 25% water changes every few weeks is a safe amount. I think if you did 10-15 gallons in a 25 gallon would be a little too much to do at once.

[shuturhole316tx]

Less work more play is my idea. I would say to do 5 gal every two or three weeks. A lot of people say to do more, but try it and you will see that you get to enjoy your tank a lot more that you are working on it.

[firefishred]

I been doing about 2-3 gallons bi-weekly. and of course daily top offs with R.O.D.i

[shuturhole316tx]

Sounds good and good luck

[firefishred]

Thanks and same to you!

[trpigg]

I change 25% every two weeks....It is obvious, the tank thrives after each water change. The energy is much more intense as well.

[firefishred]

I have also noticed the life and energy after a water change.But i have also notice the stress during the change.

[Aliie]

You asked for answers and got at least 5 different ones.
My theory is due them once a month and see how your tank reacts. Each tank is different and all water is different IMHO.
Try it out and adjust as you feel the tank needs them after testing the water on a weekly basis. So much of it has to do with what is in your tank.

[Bebo77]

i do 30% a month.. so thats what a little more than 7% a week...

[firefishred]

nice tank setup thanks again!!

[mhhauser321]

I will point you to a article that will most definatly help you

Necessary Maintenance- Water Changes (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/short.htm)

FYI- the anwser is 20-30%

matt

[firefishred]

Thanks mhhauser321

[thecoralreefer]

Go by the water tests.
I know several people that don't do a change at all.
If you have the proper inhabitants you do not NEED a change.
By useing nature as a guide you can clean the sand and the rocks.and never do a water change. If you don't have amonia or nitrates in the tank why change the water? Nature does it and so can you. Less work and more play fall into this one guys!

[Pea-brain]

10% a week. once a week isn't that much of a problem, is it? It doesn't stress the tank like larger water changes can, and keeps nutrients under control. Of course, each his own and such. If you can afford to do it I would suggest to test water parameters frequently and change when they hit certain points.

Dan

[firefishred]

Dont water changes bring new trace elements to ur tank?and remove amonia & nitrates.

[ahullsb]

Yes they do. Many people test for ca/ alk/ and mg, as well as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. That doesn't necessarily mean that you don't need to change your water. There are many trace elements that get depleted, and most people don't test for them. I have seen people who haven't changed water for a long time, but I would never recommend it.

[rbursek]

I agree with Allie, know your tank and it depends alot what you have in it, what you dose, and the salt you are using, I was doing 25% biweekly, now I do it every 3 weeks, but I am dosing some trace elements that would be in RC salt. In my tank I know when a change is needed by lookng at my Shrooms, they let me know someting is lacking, and depending on your set up a change takes me 10-15 minutes and gives me a chance to do some stuff in the fuge, clean a skimmer, return pump,ect.
Bob

[kev apsley]

if you don't have a skimmer than weekly 10-20%

[firefishred]

I have an AquaC Remora skimmer on my 25 gal