water change question

[six foot]

I'm trying to keep this short. I had a 75 gallon mostly FOWLR (a few rocks with purple mushrooms)for a couple years couple clowns, damsel, and four chromis, and a few crabs and snails. It was a real pain two canister filters and always fighting algae. lost a few fish during that time yellow tang, fox face and snowflake eel.

It took me over a year to to build my 100 gallon long tank setup 72 X 18 X 18. not completely finished but its been running for over a month since the transfer. built the stand drilled the tank got lucky and picked up some equipment free from a friend that was moving and giving away a lot of stuff that I picked up. including a 93 cube complete setup from which only kept the sump, and gave the tank, stand and MH lighting to a buddy who's son wanted an aquarium.

I transferred everything except rocks with mushrooms on them, water, fish inverts, and sand. I did keep and transfer one rock maybe 6''x 6'' that has mushrooms on it and isolated it, added one bag of sand. Soon after setup and everything tune in as well as a newbie can I added two skunk and one fire shrimp. Its been a month and I clean filter socks weekly, empty skimmer when needed. I was going to do a 20 gallon water change started siphoning into a white bucket and the water was as clean (blue tint) as clean saltwater mix. in the old 75 it was always yellow. so I poured it back in the tank.

My question if the water doesn't have a yellow tint and is clear with a blue tint like freshly mixed salt water do you need a water change? The only algae in the tank is minuscule on the small rock which has the mushrooms on it. BTW I only monitor salinity and everything is healthy and active.

 

[redfishbluefish]

You need to buy a phosphate and nitrate test kit. Color of the water is not a means of knowing what's going on. It's these two guys that are responsible for rampant algae growth....it's fertilizer for them. So you need to do things to keep them in check....water changes, skimming, refugium, carbon dosing, biopellets, etc, to name a couple ways to do this.

 

[pecan2phat]

Main purpose of a water change is for the dilution of nutrients that build up within a closed system.
Some people religiously do weekly water changes and some do none or just 2~3 a year. Either method depends on how well you export nutrients and replace trace elements that the coral utilizes.

 

[Reeferdood]

Well,
it is impossible to tell how your water is based on color. You must test for Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium;and if the tank has fully cycled, nitrates & phosphate.
Testing for those items will give you a clearer picture of the quality of your water and weather or not you should perform a partial water change.
All of this is based on if you are planning on keeping corals, I assume you are.
if not, I'm sure you will be soon.. :)

 

[Reeferdood]

Wow, 3 replies as I was typing!
I need to type quicker!!

 

[Flippers4pups]

This^. Testing your water is key and let's you know what your water pramameters are. This is essential.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Wow, 3 replies as I was typing!
I need to type quicker!!

I sometimes use my phone's speak to text. Not perfect, but works. Lol

 

[LadyMac]

This^. Testing your water is key and let's you know what your water pramameters are. This is essential.

Agreed. Testing will help you understand your system, how it uses up things needed for healthy corals and making sure things are within safe levels for healthy thriving fish .

 

[six foot]

Thanks guys, I was going off one of the BRS vidoes I have watched. I do want to add corals later but I want to get a few more fish first. Can you recommend a reasonable kit that comes with the only necessary testing supplies. I'm going to turn my old 75 gallon into a sump with approximately half being a refugium with cheato.

 

[Reeferdood]

Opinions will vary but if you are doing minimal corals for now then you could get by with API. They are cheap and simple but when you start investing in corals I would go with salifert and Hanna checkers....

 

[six foot]

Opinions will vary but if you are doing minimal corals for now then you could get by with API. They are cheap and simple but when you start investing in corals I would go with salifert and Hanna checkers....

thank you

 

[Flippers4pups]

Opinions will vary but if you are doing minimal corals for now then you could get by with API. They are cheap and simple but when you start investing in corals I would go with salifert and Hanna checkers....

API reef master kit would get you by.

 

[six foot]

API reef master kit would get you by.

I'm looking them up now

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm looking them up now

Fins up! Later I would look into salifert test kits.

I would invest in a refractometer as well and calibration solution.