daily water changes

fishgate · 04/30/2015, 10:33 AM

I have been doing daily ~4 gallon water changes on my @145g total volume system. I started getting diatoms and algae and want to prempt it. I also run and change GFO monthly. It seems to be working.

Any problems with daily changes? I remove 4 gallons, dump in 4 new gallons, and immediately set up 4 more gallons in the change bucket for the next day.

bibuz · 04/30/2015, 10:47 AM

daily changes isn't a problem... if it is little...
have you test your water before change it?

fishgate · 04/30/2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bibuz

daily changes isn't a problem... if it is little...
have you test your water before change it?

No - I rarely test my water.

tkeracer619 · 04/30/2015, 01:21 PM

Diatoms grow on silicates. Make sure your DI water does not contain silicates.

Nothing wrong with a 4gal change daily but boy that seems like a lot of work. Most of us that do that use autowater change setups.

shellsea · 04/30/2015, 02:05 PM

I have tried to attach an article found on this site by Randy Holmes Farley.
I have a very high regard for his perspective on chemistry for the hobby.

I am getting ready to set up daily changes on my 120 gal of 1 to 2 gal per day which equate to about 30% per month. Search for it. Lots of good info..

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/

Clowny88 · 04/30/2015, 02:45 PM

The missing piece is the parameters/measurement. If you aren't measuring anything, you may be doing a lot of work for nothing.

For example, ridding your tank of nitrates is a huge reason to do water changes. But there are variables the cause your nitrate levels to range all across the board (bioload, sump or no sump, refugium, skimmer, etc).

Water changes are a means of nutrient export. If you aren't measuring anything, its kind of like driving aimlessly in your car.

Diatoms will run their course, fighting GHA with GFO if you dont have a skimmer is running in place IMO. I'd be measuring like crazy. Why spend the $ to change 120 gallons a month if you don't have to? That's like $125 in salt each month?

fishgate · 04/30/2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clowny88

The missing piece is the parameters/measurement. If you aren't measuring anything, you may be doing a lot of work for nothing.

For example, ridding your tank of nitrates is a huge reason to do water changes. But there are variables the cause your nitrate levels to range all across the board (bioload, sump or no sump, refugium, skimmer, etc).

Water changes are a means of nutrient export. If you aren't measuring anything, its kind of like driving aimlessly in your car.

Diatoms will run their course, fighting GHA with GFO if you dont have a skimmer is running in place IMO. I'd be measuring like crazy. Why spend the $ to change 120 gallons a month if you don't have to? That's like $125 in salt each month?

$200? My last box of salt was $40 shipped for 200 gallons.

Nitrates are my primary concern. I assume I have nitrates since things are growing that require them. Measuring them isn't going to tell me much more than that.

Clowny88 · 04/30/2015, 05:57 PM

I guess my point is that water changes are a high maintenance way to address a symptom... but not the root of the problem.

There's a problem to be solved... and sorry if I missed more details... but is this a new tank? Is there anything in it? What skimmer are you using?

04/30/2015, 10:33 AM	#1
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	daily water changes I have been doing daily ~4 gallon water changes on my @145g total volume system. I started getting diatoms and algae and want to prempt it. I also run and change GFO monthly. It seems to be working. Any problems with daily changes? I remove 4 gallons, dump in 4 new gallons, and immediately set up 4 more gallons in the change bucket for the next day. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

04/30/2015, 01:21 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Diatoms grow on silicates. Make sure your DI water does not contain silicates. Nothing wrong with a 4gal change daily but boy that seems like a lot of work. Most of us that do that use autowater change setups. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/30/2015, 02:05 PM	#5
shellsea Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Destin, Fl. Posts: 479	I have tried to attach an article found on this site by Randy Holmes Farley. I have a very high regard for his perspective on chemistry for the hobby. I am getting ready to set up daily changes on my 120 gal of 1 to 2 gal per day which equate to about 30% per month. Search for it. Lots of good info.. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/ __________________ Jack "Shellsea" 120 mixed reef, Reef Breeder Photon 48, Apex and a proud owner of a Lifereef Skimmer

04/30/2015, 10:47 AM	#2
bibuz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 10	daily changes isn't a problem... if it is little... have you test your water before change it?

04/30/2015, 02:45 PM	#6
Clowny88 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: N. Illinois Posts: 270	The missing piece is the parameters/measurement. If you aren't measuring anything, you may be doing a lot of work for nothing. For example, ridding your tank of nitrates is a huge reason to do water changes. But there are variables the cause your nitrate levels to range all across the board (bioload, sump or no sump, refugium, skimmer, etc). Water changes are a means of nutrient export. If you aren't measuring anything, its kind of like driving aimlessly in your car. Diatoms will run their course, fighting GHA with GFO if you dont have a skimmer is running in place IMO. I'd be measuring like crazy. Why spend the $ to change 120 gallons a month if you don't have to? That's like $125 in salt each month?

04/30/2015, 05:57 PM	#8
Clowny88 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: N. Illinois Posts: 270	I guess my point is that water changes are a high maintenance way to address a symptom... but not the root of the problem. There's a problem to be solved... and sorry if I missed more details... but is this a new tank? Is there anything in it? What skimmer are you using?