How many of you don’t do water changes?

Dinodanger · Mar 31, 2020

Do a large percentage of successful reefers employ no water change methods such a triton method?

I have nutrients under control and major and minor trace elements to dose, the only reason I see to do a water change is to remove toxins from coral or to clean the sand are there any other benefits of water changes apart from what’s stated above?

Jvalle · Mar 31, 2020

Dinodanger said:
Do a large percentage of successful reefers employ no water change methods such a triton method?

I have nutrients under control and major and minor trace elements to dose, the only reason I see to do a water change is to remove toxins from coral or to clean the sand are there any other benefits of water changes apart from what’s stated above?

hi I have been 2 years without water changes and have never for one except replace with RO. I dose prime and stability daily and run a large refugium in my 150 gallon tank . I’m on top of daily maintenance too. See some pics thx

Malifry97 · Mar 31, 2020

Jvalle said:
hi I have been 2 years without water changes and have never for one except replace with RO. I dose prime and stability daily and run a large refugium in my 150 gallon tank . I’m on top of daily maintenance too. See some pics thx

Wait, why do you dose prime and stability. Your system is well established enough to not need eitherp

Jvalle · Mar 31, 2020

Malifry97 said:
Wait, why do you dose prime and stability. Your system is well established enough to not need eitherp

hi I do it to be in the safe side it may be superstitious but it’s been working so I don’t want to change the method . Lol.

Jvalle · Mar 31, 2020

I change filter socks daily , and clean the chaeto 2 times a week. I run an old school skimmer with a fairly new rio pump

X-37B · Mar 31, 2020

Nine month old 120 no water change system.

Bryce M. · Mar 31, 2020

I don't, I will once and I while but rarely, if my parameters get bad then yes, yes I will do a water change, but day to day no

Wolf89 · Mar 31, 2020

I don't do any. One word - refugium !!!!!!!!!!!

sawdonkey · Mar 31, 2020

I do about 45 every three weeks or so. My corals show a positive response and I sole to vacuum my gravel really well. I’m not a stickler about it though. I go six weeks or more sometimes. It’s really just part of my thorough cleaning procedure.

Webslinger · Mar 31, 2020

Your tank needs a 10% weekly water change. It would look so much better.

90's reefer said:
Nine month old 120 no water change system.

Malifry97 · Apr 1, 2020

Jvalle said:
hi I do it to be in the safe side it may be superstitious but it’s been working so I don’t want to change the method . Lol.

Oh lol. Whatever works fo sho

X-37B · Apr 1, 2020

Webslinger said:
Your tank needs a 10% weekly water change. It would look so much better.

I'll get right on it lol.

William Robinson · Apr 1, 2020

I don't do "regular or consistent" water changes but I will do about 10% every now and then maybe 2 or 3 times a year just to replenish some unknown element that "may" be used by my corals. I use RSCP since it is naturally harvested in hope that "unknown" benefit exists in the natural sea salt.. lol
Its like being superstitious, I have no factual evidence anything I do with the water change helps but I feel better believing it may... lol
All I know is my reef looks good, its growing and I don't have any issues im fighting with my refugium or DT. If anything getting my Chaeto to grow faster is the hardest parts I believe because I am so low in the required nutrients for it.

piranhaman00 · Apr 1, 2020

People saying no need because of refuguium or some other nutrient export device are correct in that sense. But imo water changes should be used to replenish elements that are used up that are not being dosed.

Webslinger · Apr 1, 2020

I don't believe in water changes either!

Jvalle · Apr 1, 2020

Webslinger said:
I don't believe in water changes either!

Lol

X-37B · Apr 1, 2020

Jvalle said:
Lol

Beautiful! I would not change a thing lol.

Phildago · Apr 1, 2020

I'm 50/50, I try not to do water changes, but I do see a benefit.

I usually do about 1/month.sometimes I go longer.

EMeyer · Apr 1, 2020

Water changes produce visible benefits in every tank I've run.

And it is one of the easiest parts of tank maintenance, with such a big noticable effect.

It always puzzles me why anyone would avoid water changes. I mean, I get letting things slide, I should test more often than I do and I am probably overdue for a WC. But why deliberately plan to not do it?

Everytime I read this question I have the same reaction I would if someone posted "do you clean your glass?"

X-37B · Apr 1, 2020

EMeyer said:
Water changes produce visible benefits in every tank I've run.

And it is one of the easiest parts of tank maintenance, with such a big noticable effect.

It always puzzles me why anyone would avoid water changes. I mean, I get letting things slide, I should test more often than I do and I am probably overdue for a WC. But why deliberately plan to not do it?

Everytime I read this question I have the same reaction I would if someone posted "do you clean your glass?"

For most water changes are needed. No water change systems work if you have experience and know what your doing. It goes against the grain for most. Dont want a debate on it but do what works for you.
Again its just a different way, as there are many, to run a reef system.