Evap & Water changes

[sikemd]

I have to add about 3-5 gallons of water to my tank regularly to keep the sump full enough to constantly pump (no glass top, evap is fast). I've been cutting back on WC's since its a real PITA to fill up RO from my basement (takes a long time) to do a 10-15gal water change. It's a 90 gal bow-front. I've been doing probably 1-10 to 15 gal water change a month since I'm replenishing new water so frequently. Is this silly or does this make sense? I haven't had any problems and my fish, inverts and coral seem to be doing fine. I dose seachem reef plus, seachem trace elements and amino acids on consecutive days, with one day a week with no additives... and I often forget to dose so there may be more days in between additives or extended periods of no additives. I do monthly parameter tests as well and they seem to be on point every time. I was just curious if I should be doing more changes or if I'm OK with my current regimen.

 

[luke33]

You need to invest in an ato reservoir and ato system then you wouldn't be hauling around anything and your life will be much easier : ) one of the best things you can have for a tank.

As far as are you doing enough? If your corals and fish are happy then sure. Its just important to have your parameters consistent so as long as they are i wouldn't be to worried.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

If your current WC schedule is working, no need to change it up. I'm confused when you say "I've been doing probably 1-10 to 15 gal water change a month since I'm replenishing new water so frequently". Adding top off water doesn't do anything but keep your salinity in check....

 

[Brew12]

As far as are you doing enough? If your corals and fish are happy then sure. Its just important to have your parameters consistent so as long as they are i wouldn't be to worried.

+1

If you are adding the trace elements, and don't have a problem with Nitrate build up, you are just fine doing few or limited water changes. Many people on here can go a year or more without doing a water change. If your coral and fish are happy, you are good with what you are doing.

 

[theMerchant]

I also use ato. I'm on the TRITON system , so no water changes for me

 

[sikemd]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to take you guys' suggestion, but I'll probably just use a 5 gal bucket instead. Those ATO reservoirs are pretty expensive just for a water holding tank and I have a bunch of buckets laying around. Not quite as aesthetically pleasing, but will be cheap to get going, float switch and pump on amazon only $15 combined.

 

[Brew12]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to take you guys' suggestion, but I'll probably just use a 5 gal bucket instead. Those ATO reservoirs are pretty expensive just for a water holding tank and I have a bunch of buckets laying around. Not quite as aesthetically pleasing, but will be cheap to get going, float switch and pump on amazon only $15 combined.

My ATO reservoir is a 5 gallon Lowes bucket. Nothing at all wrong with that.

Lowes bucket = RO/DI water
Old salt bucket = Mixed salt water
Home Depot bucket = dirty water

Never have to worry about cross contaminating or marker wearing off this way.

 

[sikemd]

I was just planning on using a single 5 gallon with a light salt mix for replenishing evap... How does that system you have work, could you explain or send over a link? Could you give upload a pic? Sounds interesting.

My water salinity doesn't seem to change very much through evap, so I usually use a light salt mixture for top off water and it seems to stay pretty consistent.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Top off with pure RODI. What are you testing your salinity with? During evaporation only the water leaves the tank, the salt is left behind. Topping off with any amount of salt can cause serious issues down the road.

 

[sikemd]

I have a floating hygrometer. I've been topping off with 60-70% of the time with some salt in my top off water depending on where the hygrometer reads when I top off. I believe it's pretty accurate but I could be wrong?

 

[Brew12]

Top off with pure RODI. What are you testing your salinity with? During evaporation only the water leaves the tank, the salt is left behind. Topping off with any amount of salt can cause serious issues down the road.

Using a light salt mix might not be a bad idea. I've toyed with the idea myself. It would help make up for water lost from acclimating fish, emptying my skimmer, salt creep, and my over sampling. My salinity drifts down over time.