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05/22/2014, 01:55 PM | #1 |
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Water change--how much is too much
I have never understood the rationale for the amount or frequency of water changes. I do understand the basis of water changes. ie, replacing trace elements and removing unwanted elements. I realize there are those that prefer no water changes but what I want to know is how much is too much
I have a 180 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump and 20 gallon refugium but between the rock and sump equipment (skimmer, etc), I estimate 180 is the water volume. Lots and lots of coral and a good assortment of fish. Calcium reactor, chaeto and occasional gfo in a reactor. Parameters stable and appropriate. I have historically done 10 gallons weekly because it was convenient. What happens if I start 5 gallon water changes daily. Am I going to adversely remove plankton that my corals are feeding on or create some other unintended negative effect. The goal is help keep the water near ideal conditions. I want to make sure sure there is no buildup of unwanted elements as well as no depletion of desired water elements. I don't plan on changing any of my current husbandry efforts (skimming, chaeto, parameter testing, etc). |
05/22/2014, 03:44 PM | #2 |
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I'm curious as we'll ...... 5 gallons a day to me seems small enough to not cause major perimeter changes or if it does would be gradual ..tagging along
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05/22/2014, 03:48 PM | #3 |
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I show what different sizes and types of water changes can accomplish here:
Water Changes in Reef Aquaria http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php I generally recommend about 1% daily, but more isn't a concern and is likely beneficial if you have good quality salt water. Your 5 gallons daily is probably about 3%.
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05/22/2014, 03:58 PM | #4 |
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As long as its not causing shifts in your water parameters and temp on a daily basis I think the more the better.
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05/22/2014, 06:37 PM | #5 |
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My tank is very similar to yours(in terms of volume). I went from changing 15-20 gallons a week to 4 gallons daily over the past few months. Tank never looked better. It is a mixed reef and SPS are thriving. A 4 Gallon change only takes a few minutes.
I vacuum and clean sponges in sump every 2 weeks |
05/22/2014, 09:04 PM | #6 |
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My idea is certainly not original. I don't remember if it was on this forum or another where a fellow reefer has been doing these sorts of water changes. And I am clear on making sure that the new water has similar parameters as the display ( temp, pH, alk, salinity, etc)
My thoughts were that I could diminish nitrates and phosphates through these water changes as per Randy Holmes-Farley: Water Changes in Reef Aquaria http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php. And as I've already said I currently have a skimmer, use occasional GFO in a reactor, I also have a small bag of carbon (the black carbon not bio pellets ), Chaeto. What I would most like to do is avoid long term accumulation of anything toxic and avoid depletion of anything essential like a trace element. I believe I test parameters reasonably regularly but I hate test kits because of their seemingly poor consistency and accuracy. It is difficult to be committed to testing regularly when you are doubtful about the results. And yes I have tried Hanna checkers, Red Sea, Salifert, etc. My favorite test kit is the Hanna alk checker because it does seem accurate and consistent. I only test for alk, mag, ca, salinity, less frequently for nitrates and phosphates. I know there are more test kits for more elements but I am limited by my drive, frustration with current test kits reliability and quite frankly my unwillingness (laziness) in wanting to add a gazillion trace elements My tank has been up for years with lots of live rock and a deep sand bed. Changing only five gallons means I don't have to turn off my return or power heads. The only thing I have to turn off during the water change is my ATO. It's fast and reasonably easy, plus it gives me an excuse to stand in front of the tank for a few minutes and observe and enjoy What I don't know is if there are organisms in the water column that are beneficial,and whether I am removing too much of these with the frequent water changes. |
05/22/2014, 09:29 PM | #7 |
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This is a very interesting thread for me..I am quit new, and have been doing a lot of research..
As for the very last question, I would understand it, as No you are not pulling out and beneficial organisms when you do a water change, and if so, it would be very minimal..most of your beneficial organisms are in your rock, and your sand bed, and as you have it the cheato...... I say this because my way of thinking is, if you did pull out that many beneficial organisms, than things could not thrive..and quite obviously they in fact do..they thrive even when a 50% or large water change is done.. I may very well be way off, but thats my 2c
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I'm in a fishy situation!!! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon 30 x 18 x 22 with a 40gal sump, SCA 302 skimmer, 10 gal QT tank, a hydror 600 power head, 2 enhiem 150 heaters, 49#'s of dry rock, 12#'s of life rock, 40#'s of sand |
05/22/2014, 09:36 PM | #8 |
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I doubt 5 gallons daily would hurt your system, but that is a lot, IMO. Probably not necessary. I do 4.6 gallons daily in my 450 net gallon system, or about 1%.
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05/22/2014, 10:24 PM | #9 | |
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But the point of the thread and my question really is how much is optimal as well as easily manageable. |
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05/22/2014, 10:50 PM | #10 |
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Personally, do you real ally think you'll keep up with doing this daily? For how long? I think the objective of having a reef tank is to minimize the maintenance, or at least make it non-bothersome. Doing daily water changes seems like it might cause burnout.
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05/22/2014, 10:58 PM | #11 | |
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So even if I waiver a little bit, I don't think it will make much of a difference. I guess I think of it all like flossing, just get up every morning and do it. |
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05/23/2014, 04:44 AM | #12 |
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FWIW, It is easy to automate water changes of any size. Mine are automatic at ~1% daily, but the type of pump I use can be obtained in 15 or 30 gallon per day models, and a timer can drop that back to what you want.
FWIW, I think that big water changes daily might be among the best filtration methods for nanotanks, and they might not need anything else.
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05/23/2014, 11:18 AM | #13 |
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FWIW, I do 1% daily and a little extra probably totaling another 10% per month( rarely as much as 5% at a time) for maintenance related tasks.
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Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals. Last edited by tmz; 05/23/2014 at 11:24 AM. |
05/23/2014, 04:59 PM | #14 | |
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My water change is automated via a Cole Parmer Dual Head Masterflex Peristaltic Dosing pump. Bought the entire setup off ebay used for $225. Probably one of the best things I have done for my reef and myself. |
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05/23/2014, 07:38 PM | #15 |
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Now that is one very serious auto water changer. Very cool
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05/23/2014, 08:36 PM | #16 |
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Thank you. The thing about it is it needs no check valves, float valves, or anything. The three pump rollers keep the lines sealed at all times. Run it at whatever speed for 15 minutes to get a flow rate, then have it run via a timer to change the volume you need. Change out the tubing every 6-9 months. Hardcore equipment reliability, but a very functionally simple setup.
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12/04/2017, 10:05 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
Thanks
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Reef Savvy 110g Tank | GHL Profilux 4 Controller & Doser | Royal Exclusiv Skimmer & Dreambox/Sump | ATI 8x54 Sunpower T5 | Ozotech Ozone Generator |
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12/04/2017, 10:21 PM | #18 | |
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Several feet of this tubing. Each head needs about 8-10 but you want to have spare so you can swap tubing every 4-6 months or as needed based on how much water you are changing which impacts the amount of wear on the tubing. LS17 equivalent tubing. Note, that is is for easy load heads that support LS17. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=25534 Qty 4 1/4 x 1/8 John Guest fittings : http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=42009 Qty 4 1/4 x 1/8 barb fittings: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=36204 Qty 4 snap rings: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=34082
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 |
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12/05/2017, 12:31 AM | #19 |
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Every tank is different.
I'm set up for 100g water changes for about 260g ish total volume, currently I tend to do every 4-6 weeks depending on my time. My problem is my sand bed has a 5-7 year capacity and when its new my tank will remain perfect sometimes with yearly water changes. I just redid my DSB and I'm going to see if I change water every 4-6 without fail, if I can stretch the DSB to a decade. My sand turns rock hard a inch or two down with time, and coral growth leaves me with a few inches in front only that I am able to keep the sand from turning solid. This time around I may throw a clean up crew for sand sifting. Problem in the past is that for over 2 decades I have had a hidden pistol shrimp that eats what ever I have put in the tank. This time around I think its gone. No more tapping in the midnight. |
12/05/2017, 02:01 PM | #20 | |
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Hey Slief, Thanks for these links. This is most helpful. I checked and the pump heads support LS17 (1/4" inner diameter) tubing. They also support the slightly larger LS18 (5/16" inner diameter) tubing. Should I consider the LS18 tubing since this is for water changes? I figure the fewer RPMs needed, the better. Perhaps 17 just works better for water changes with regards to vacuum or something along those lines?
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Reef Savvy 110g Tank | GHL Profilux 4 Controller & Doser | Royal Exclusiv Skimmer & Dreambox/Sump | ATI 8x54 Sunpower T5 | Ozotech Ozone Generator Last edited by ReefKeeper64; 12/05/2017 at 02:14 PM. |
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12/06/2017, 01:27 PM | #21 | |
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 |
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12/06/2017, 06:30 PM | #22 | |
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Reef Savvy 110g Tank | GHL Profilux 4 Controller & Doser | Royal Exclusiv Skimmer & Dreambox/Sump | ATI 8x54 Sunpower T5 | Ozotech Ozone Generator |
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