Wayward Aquarist Needs Advice

[dclaghorn]

My work and kids have kept me crazy-busy for the last 9 months. I’ll bet I’ve done one 5 gallon water change, for my 120 gal, in that time. I haven’t even checked my chemistry in a coon’s age. My fish are all cool, my generic polyps have even recently spawned, my superman ‘shrooms are doing strangely well, yellow sponges are routinely showing up (and growing!), and my skimmer is finally working well.

BUT, I know that I cannot continue in this “sinful life” if I really desire to fully exploit and enjoy this hobby. So, my question is this… How would y’all recommend changing the water out and get things right? Should I just go buy a 50 lb bucket of Tropic Marin/Reef Crystals and do 5-10 gal water changes daily? Every other day? Mix 80 gal and do one MASSIVE change?

I’m ready to repent and get back on the straight and narrow, “Father”, I just need absolution and advice on how to get back on track.

Thank you, I sincerely appreciate the advice and input.

[dzfish17]

I would start doing a 10% water change weekly or 20% bi-weekly. There was a thread on here about six months ago where people reported going alot longer than that without water changes. If everything in the tank is fine there is no reason to do a massive change now.

[Palting]

I certainly would not do a massive water change if there are no signs of problems despite the "neglect" :).

First step would be to check your parameters, post them here, and go from there.

9 months, maybe time to check your lights. What lights do you have?

[goldmaniac]

I have a 120 w/ a 50 gallon sump/refugium, and my routine water change is 44 gallons, the size that is my Brute trash can. I guess that's a 20%-25% change, and I do it every 3-4 weeks. Maybe one of these would be good to do IF you think your tank needs it. Sounds like everything is fine so I'd stick with 10% changes weekly if your goal is to begin giving it more attention on a regular basis.

[Chris27]

Step 1 - Test the water.

Step 2 - Make decision on how to proceed from there.

[mjwz06]

I would start doing a 10% water change weekly or 20% bi-weekly. There was a thread on here about six months ago where people reported going alot longer than that without water changes. If everything in the tank is fine there is no reason to do a massive change now.
+1

test the system first though, so you have a starting point as reference.

[snorvich]

I would start doing a 10% water change weekly or 20% bi-weekly. There was a thread on here about six months ago where people reported going alot longer than that without water changes. If everything in the tank is fine there is no reason to do a massive change now.

I agree. While there are trace elements that are consumed most of them are not measurable. Also, doing anything quickly in this hobby is not a good idea as you don't know if there are adjustments being made by animals under your care.

[dzfish17]

Back in 04 I had a 45g hex tank that went about 9 months without a water change. It was a rough year because I lost my little brother who was only 35 at the time. The tank didnt get very much maintenance but also didnt get fed heavy either. When I finally got back to a regular routine the corals and 2 sm fish looked great.