Hi,
I'm running a 32g fluval flex with coral and some fish.
I've finally got some fish in there (ran fallow until quarantine was complete) to raise my nitrate and phosphates past 0 for the first time since setting up the tank 3 months ago.
I have dragons breath algae slowly growing in the display as well.
With my nitrates at 3.5 and phosphates reading 0.06 (Hanna Nitrate HR and Hanna phosphate ULR)
Also dosing all for reef for my major and minor trace elements..
According to my test results from my weekly testing
Alk = 9.5
Calc = 436
Nitrate = 3.5
Phosphate = 0.06
pH = daily fluctuations of 8.0 - 8.2
Temp stable at 78
Question is, do I need water changes?
My understanding of the standard 10% water change weekly or 20% every two weeks is to replace major and minor trace elements and also remove nutrients like nitrate and phosphate from the system..
Since everything is stable and nitrates remain low and the replenishment of elements using all for reef.. are water changes necessary?
I'm running a 32g fluval flex with coral and some fish.
I've finally got some fish in there (ran fallow until quarantine was complete) to raise my nitrate and phosphates past 0 for the first time since setting up the tank 3 months ago.
I have dragons breath algae slowly growing in the display as well.
With my nitrates at 3.5 and phosphates reading 0.06 (Hanna Nitrate HR and Hanna phosphate ULR)
Also dosing all for reef for my major and minor trace elements..
According to my test results from my weekly testing
Alk = 9.5
Calc = 436
Nitrate = 3.5
Phosphate = 0.06
pH = daily fluctuations of 8.0 - 8.2
Temp stable at 78
Question is, do I need water changes?
My understanding of the standard 10% water change weekly or 20% every two weeks is to replace major and minor trace elements and also remove nutrients like nitrate and phosphate from the system..
Since everything is stable and nitrates remain low and the replenishment of elements using all for reef.. are water changes necessary?