For what it's worth if I could automate water changes I would. I will spend the money in order to minimize maintenance tasks. But since I can't automate water changes I'm opting for no water changes. Or at least very few water changes.
I think if you want to do no water changes you do have to do some sort of ICP tests somewhat frequently. Once every 2-3 months.... Speaking of which I'm due for one, but trying to get my phosphates under control before I finally send one off.
Yes I am planning on doing ICP tests. I'm just trying to pick one whose results I can trust. I've read that ATI isn't very accurate. I got one done by them.
I also run a tank with mixed LPS and SPS with no mechanical filtration and skimmer, and have had much success. The big thing for me is that I often get a really ugly biofilm on my water surface, and those are the times where my water is a little cloudy as well. I think my tank frequently gets bacterial issues. How do you handle this--is your water crystal clear all the time?I also don’t run a skimmer or any mechanical filtration
Studies have shown that people who do reg water changes have more long term success than those who do not (of our course there are always a small percentage that are outliers). It exports harmful level of toxins and adds trace elements that fish and reef requires. At Public Aquariums, the long term success of fish/corals/clams living up to 40 yrs is because of regular water changes , upkeep of the gravel bed, and filter socks . BTW, No canister filters are used to avoid leaching nitrates/phosphates!
No water changes. But I would never tell someone they are a bad idea or to stop. I just show with alternate methods you don’t need them. I keep all types of corals except leathers / softies
Algae turf scrubber
My water is clear all the time. I have been asked how I control “particles” in the water. I don’t have an answer because I don’t have them and never thought about them
I hear ya!
I hear ya!
It was worse last week lol. I actually just eliminated 4 frag racks to free up front glass space. That’s why the left side is open
My system is acting as a display and a frag tank. All the shelf’s are growing out frags to stock my new tank once I finish setting it up
Thanks brotha!
It’s cool! And valid! I have one more shelf I can eliminate, it’s got a few random things on it I still need to figure out placement for. One item is high value, I can’t risk anything happening to it. Might end up getting its own small shelf
I think the bigger message is that we perhaps rely too much on testing - and not enough on paying attention to what the tank looks like. I think its an interesting concept to think that one doesn't need to check N and P - but they do need to check for example iodine - and dose it x ml every day (pick your dozen elements here). I have no issue with less testing I did N and P perhaps 1 time eery 2-3 months and alkalinity every week at most. Once a tank is established, is being fed, my guess is you could run it without out ICP's every month or whatever it is - and minimal if any water changes. However, if you look at a lot of tanks - the ones that tend to be 'successful' (and agree its a circular argument) are the ones with more coral and a lower fish stocking density tend to be the ones that require less of these mineral 'tweeks' - and also less water changes.
