Saltwater Novice...advice appreciated!

Roylt777 · Jan 1, 2021

I’ve had a few freshwater tanks in the past and always wanted a salt water tank well here I go... I found this forum after I already made a few mistakes so all the advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to following and learning from you pros! This is my retirement hobby!
Question: brand new tank, what advice do you have when it comes to my first water change/cleaning??

Peace River · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!! Please tell us a little bit more about your tank so that we can better answer your questions about water changes and cleaning.

Ippyroy · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

WIReefer · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!!

WirelessMike · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to the reef! The folks here are amazing. You’re gonna love it

Fred2482 · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome!

SaltyT · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to R2R! You’ve joined a great community with lots of friendly folks willing to help when needed.

Bepis · Jan 1, 2021

Robin Williams Hello GIF by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

we need more info on your tank. For ex. Skimmer, socks, bio balls, fish load

Billldg · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!! Agree about the water changes on a new tank. We will need the parameters to better help you.

intricate_reefer · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome ! For your first water change after cycling you want to do a big water change to bring your nitrates into line as they will be high from the process. So if your nitrates are say 40ppm do a 75% water change to bring them down to 10ppm.

The bacteria you built up from the cycling process mainly live on surfaces so you don’t have to worry about that. Just go slow adding your first few fish.

intricate_reefer · Jan 1, 2021

Also during a cycle, the process uses carbonates so alkalinity and calcium could be a tad low depending how much ammonia was processed. By doing that big water change with quality salt it should bring those levels in line as well.

Roylt777 · Jan 1, 2021

I’m starting small with 20 gallon tank. Over the edge filter, heater, biosand on bottom, few sea shells, plastic plants for now. No fish yet!

Smarkow · Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to R2R!! Come on in, the water is fine.

Re your 20g tank, normally I am a pretty anti-scheduled-water change guy, although I do them as needed when I siphon detritus.

In choosing to do them, or not, keep in mind your sources of pollutants (none right now), elements that will be depleted (trace amounts of calcium, alk by coralline algea, otherwise also none right now). When you so start to add fish and corals, for your size system, a regular weekly or biweekly 10-20% water change may be an efficient way to replete consumed elements. Read about hang-on refugiums. Watch some BRSTV videos on youtube.

good luck!
We love pics

vetteguy53081 · Jan 1, 2021

Roylt777 said:
I’ve had a few freshwater tanks in the past and always wanted a salt water tank well here I go... I found this forum after I already made a few mistakes so all the advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to following and learning from you pros! This is my retirement hobby!
Question: brand new tank, what advice do you have when it comes to my first water change/cleaning??

Get good test kit(s) and No API test kits known for false readings. Let the tests determine need for water change. I let fish and coral talk to me whereas if they look unhappy, first response is to check water.
Once there is a need to change water. . . . assure it is RODI water and mix to the specific gravity and temperature as your tank has. Once you do water change, see how long to the next one. Once you have that interval, you will have an idea of how often you will need to do this, However as tank matures, water changes will become less frequent.
Here is a chart for you for reference: