Water Changes

[ConnorDaReefa]

Hey. This is probably a simple question but I know it might generate different opinions. I have a 65 gallon tank but I typically assume it is 60 gallons of volume (because of rock and other water displacement factors). Would it be better to do an 8% weekly (5 gallons) or to do a 16% change every two weeks?

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Think you'll burn out weekly...

I was lucky enough to figure out how to run lines to do daily automated changes, which I consider the best... also easy ;)

 

[ConnorDaReefa]

Think you'll burn out weekly...

I was lucky enough to figure out how to run lines to do daily automated changes, which I consider the best... also easy ;)

I’ve always thought of that but water changes are always like my time to also clean filtration and etc so it kind works out and keeps me on schedule. I currently do the 8% weekly but I occasionally miss a week every now and then. So maybe switching to bi-weekly will be smarter in my case. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Lavey29]

I went weekly the first year now I do 18% every 3 weeks.

 

[ConnorDaReefa]

I went weekly the first year now I do 18% every 3 weeks.

Yea. Doing larger and less frequent water changes seems a little more appealing now, and as long as you keep the water heated that you mix and its similar to your tank’s parameters, I feel like you could kind of rule out the factor of it creating instability.

 

[Lavey29]

Yea. Doing larger and less frequent water changes seems a little more appealing now, and as long as you keep the water heated that you mix and its similar to your tank’s parameters, I feel like you could kind of rule out the factor of it creating instability.

But I dose major elements daily and trace elements weekly in-between water changes to maintain levels.

 

[FUNGI]

I do 10% weekly (every Saturday)......

 

[Lavey29]

I think for new tanks the first year weekly water changes are essential to maintain some balance. New tanks are unstable and water changes each week add a level of stability to the system. As a tank matures and you start dosing various tank elements then the water changes can be spread out father however you can not go Wong by continuing weekly changes either.

 

[Dan_P]

Hey. This is probably a simple question but I know it might generate different opinions. I have a 65 gallon tank but I typically assume it is 60 gallons of volume (because of rock and other water displacement factors). Would it be better to do an 8% weekly (5 gallons) or to do a 16% change every two weeks?

32% every month or 4% every 3.5 days. Maybe 1% every day. Not sure this can be answered.