Water Change and Macroalgae Question

[c00lclownfish88]

Hello everyone! I'm new to reef2reef, and I'm debating on whether or not a w.c per month is good enough on my 10 gallon nano.

It has been wet since around maybe 6 months ago and it is stocked currently with a pair of clownfish, one larger and one juvenile, a conch, and 2 snails. I have had my fair share of faults, and have lost my rock flower anemones either due to a sudden change in chemistry or an infection, and have had a HUGE hair algae infestation recently.

Last week though, I scrubbed the rocks and poured boiling water on it outside to "kill" the algae which seems to have worked excellently, and I have shut off all my lights.

The main concern I have is I haven't done a w.c in 3 weeks, but am wondering if I need to do a 10% water change weekly like most people say you need to, as I have minimal stocking, no coral or anything relying on my alk(which is low too), and a nitrate and phosphate of 0, which is super surprising considering my algae issue. Not much waste is generated, and I'm wondering if

1) can I get away with a 20% water change every month or so?
2) if my end goal is to have a macroalgae planted tank, is it still possible to get away with a monthly w.c due to nutrient export and supplement with chateogrow?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I do a water change once monthly on my 10 gallon macro algae tank. With that said, my tank is 3 years and has only 1 fish.

The 10% suggestion is for maintenance only, but when you have a problem IMO water changes should be increased. Since your tank is still new, and since you have a high bioload and since you have a hair algae problem, myself I would be increasing the water changes.

 

[Paullawr]

I'm going to come across horrible now and for that I apologise in advance.

Don't boil off rock or add boiling water to rock. Very bad for ones health and secondly you're killing that 6 month of bio film.

6 months hair algae is frankly welcome in my opinion. Usually 6 months in we're dealing with brown horrible stuff.

Let it burn off. Add some CUC if you need to. When you get to 2-3 years as Mojo Rising said - then you will see some stability.

If you're concerned I'd favour smaller daily water changes. 1-2 litre.

Marine aquariums are weird. They take ages to settle and just when you think you have it right - you add something and back to ground zero.

 

[c00lclownfish88]

Personally I do a water change once monthly on my 10 gallon macro algae tank. With that said, my tank is 3 years and has only 1 fish.

The 10% suggestion is for maintenance only, but when you have a problem IMO water changes should be increased. Since your tank is still new, and since you have a high bioload and since you have a hair algae problem, myself I would be increasing the water changes.

Would a 20% w.c per month work? My main concern on why is because my nitrates and phosphates are still 0 so I wasn't sure if a w.c was necessary.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Would a 20% w.c per month work? My main concern on why is because my nitrates and phosphates are still 0 so I wasn't sure if a w.c was necessary.

I think thats fine, I do monthly 2.5 gallon water changes on my 10 gallon, so I guess 25%. I don't measure nutrients or parameters on that tank, my bad, but the macro algae grows like weeds, I mainly change the water the fishes sake but the water changes also replenish the elements that the macro will consume from the water.

 

[Jamie9]

Would a 20% w.c per month work? My main concern on why is because my nitrates and phosphates are still 0 so I wasn't sure if a w.c was necessary.

It’s quite possible that the algae is what has been taking up all your nutrients.

 

[c00lclownfish88]

It’s quite possible that the algae is what has been taking up all your nutrients.

Could very likely be, but i haven't had a huge nitrate problem before. Thanks for your insight!

 

[c00lclownfish88]

I think thats fine, I do monthly 2.5 gallon water changes on my 10 gallon, so I guess 25%. I don't measure nutrients or parameters on that tank, my bad, but the macro algae grows like weeds, I mainly change the water the fishes sake but the water changes also replenish the elements that the macro will consume from the water.

I guess I'll just do monthy w.cs and add some macroalgae for nutrient export then. Thanks for all your help!