How often do you change your water?

[Bigfish of La.]

I set up an 80G reef ready with rock from my Biocube 29G and 4 small fish and LPS and softies 10 months ago. I have done 2 20G WC. I vacuum sand about once a month thru a filter sock so I’m removing the junk and keeping the water.
My sump has a block of marine pure and a Vertex 150 that removes nasty gunk, and I recently switched from filter socks to the filter media cups with floss.
I do 2 part dosing manually and test weekly and parameters are always stable.
My tank looks great so I don’t see a need to do more frequent water changes.

 

[Scorpius]

Weekly 10gal water changes on my 70 gal reef. I've tried going the no water change route and the coral suffer and major/minor elements get depleted. Those who use Trition etc. to get around doing water changes trade one maintenance chore for another.

Water changes are a necessary evil in my book.

 

[jwt1603]

2 gallons every day. Automatic system. Nutrient / element levels stay extremely consistent, 130G system including sump.

 

[biecacka]

2 gallons a day. Auto water changes are the best :)

Corey

 

[Michael Naegeli]

I’ve done 20% weekly water changes all but one week in past 12 months. The week I missed I was very surprised to see my Reef look like poo about 13 days without. I dose the big three w doser so chems were tight even. So I religiously do weekly. Big tank rolling up on a year here soon being up and so far other than the initial nasty 8 weeks of total Poo have not had one issue w any of my ridiculously overstocked w corals or any algae’s. So I’m sticking to it

 

[Jet915]

15% biweekly

 

[Hulley]

2 gallons every day. Automatic system. Nutrient / element levels stay extremely consistent, 130G system including sump.

What equipment are you using for the Auto change?

 

[Cyked1]

How important is total volume to this question?

 

[biecacka]

What equipment are you using for the Auto change?

I use the DOS unit and my apex, but there are many options out there really.

Corey

 

[Hulley]

I use the DOS unit and my apex, but there are many options out there really.

Corey

Thanks, I'm setting up a RSR 350 now and interested in doing this, I already have an Apex. Just trying to figure out all the plumbing/mixing station/etc.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I just started a 15% each week regimen. Going well so far!

 

[biecacka]

I totally understand. I don’t have a mixing station due to space constraints in my apartment. I use 1 50gallon can that I mix saltwater in and pull from there. I dispose of old water into my washing machine drain. The can last about 25days and then I turn off my DOS for 48 hours to refill and mix salt.

Corey

 

[Porpoise Hork]

On my 40g I would either do 10% weekly or 15-20% bi-weekly and then a big 50% once every two months when cleaning the sand bed.

So far the 75g has been running so cleanly than I am only doing 10-% bi-weekly on it.

 

[jwt1603]

What equipment are you using for the Auto change?

I've got the Auto Aqua ATO / AWC unit. Works great.

 

[408Dartfish]

I’ve been doing 20g every 2 weeks in my 70+g system. I have a fuge w/chaeto and a heavy fish load. Been doing this for life of tank 2+ months with very good results with less than 10ppm No3 .04 Po4. I like to do water changes for the most part. Dustin

 

[Campy10]

I change 15 gallons in my 180 every week. Gives me a chance to check everything in the tank. I have a BB tank so I can vacuum all the debris that settles.

 

[Amado]

I feel like I am cheating. I have the apex dose doing 2 gallon a day water change. Every night.
I have 1 gallon evaporation every day on a 125 gallon. So I add 3 gallon of new water and remove 3 gallon in my sleep.
Automation is amazing (until it fails lol)

 

[Bastray]

Just switched from 20% weekly to 10% weekly. Testing it out to see if it makes any difference. If I can use half the salt and get same results I'll be a happy guy.

 

[Bastray]

Just switched from 20% weekly to 10% weekly. Testing it out to see if it makes any difference. If I can use half the salt and get same results I'll be a happy guy.

 

[Neighhoma]

25% every 2 weeks