water changes

[Jimbos11]

How often should I be doing water changes? I have a 65gl with a 20gl sump. I have been doing 5gl every week. Should I continue at this interval or less often?

Jim

[Sugar Magnolia]

10% weekly would be ideal, or 20% every other week. Are you running a skimmer?

[thegrun]

I make a weekly 5 gallon water change on my 50 gallon reef tank + 20 gallon sump, it seems like about the correct frequency. How are your water parameters? Do you have a fish only or reef tank? If your water chemistry is looking good I would keep that schedule. If you have a fish only tank you may be able to go a little longer between water changes.

[Jimbos11]

as of now, I only have fish in the tank with about 65 lbs of live rock. I also have a skimmer rated to 150gl.

[Toddrtrex]

I do weekly 5 gallon water changes on all 3 of my tanks. I use old salt buckets, and find it pretty easy to do. IME, the easier it is to do, the more apt you are to do it. So, while 5 gallons is a little less (( percentage wise )) for my 75, and more for my 40 breeder, it is easy for me -- so I stay on top of them.

[aleonn]

I do 25% every 2-3 weeks on a 180 mixed reef. For a FO system and good skimmer, 5-10% weekly should be fine. I'd mainly base the water change schedule on your nutrient and algae levels (if things are looking and testing well, then continue your regimen).

[briankmarsh1980]

I do 5g water changes a week and I do 1 10g water change once a month for good measures :)

[Dustin1300]

I don't think any percentage is a solid answer because so many variables come into play...One system with the same volume could have twice the fish and not as mature.

I like the idea of learning your system with frequent water testing and then once you know when Trates start to climb that is when your water changes should be taking place. No use in wasting lots of salt and RO/DI water....

My solution to water changes is an automatic water change system which pulls out old water in small amounts and pushes to my house drain and the new water is replenished from a NSW reservoir I have made up.