What’s better for automatic water changes?

[Notsolostfish]

I have a 150G of total water volume. And i have the neptune dos. I use afr, and i usually do 30G monthly. Which is equivalent to 20%. Should i do that 30G monthly with awc? Or its more effective all at once ? Whats better stability wise and etc

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I had used the DOS for a reefer 250 AWC, and it sounded like Elon Musk was drilling in my water room. I’ve also tried Versa’s, and those were horrible as it relates to trying to keep them in sync. In my new tank I’m doing 44g a week on AWC, I’m now using DOS QD and I couldn’t be happier. Game changer for me. I wish I could use a QD on my CARX but I can’t. I’m also using one for Kalk and ATO reservoir auto fill. Love love love them.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would do a little each day. Less stress on both you (don’t need to match anything) and the tank.

 

[Notsolostfish]

I would do a little each day. Less stress on both you (don’t need to match anything) and the tank.

Each day forever? Or just my monthly 30G just do them on the awc?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Each day forever? Or just my monthly 30G just do them on the awc?

My plan has been and will be to change 1% of the tank water volume daily by AWC, with no other changes unless there is an emergency. I think that walks the line between cost and benefit.

It’s also very easy for the aquarist. It takes only a few minutes a month to make the new salt water. No other action is needed by me.

 

[Pistondog]

Each day forever? Or just my monthly 30G just do them on the awc?

I do 1% each day with the versas, forever.
I set the pumps to constant speed, then turn them on for 20 minutes every 2 hours.
Check salinity weekly.
Calibrate versas monthly

 

[Notsolostfish]

My plan has been and will be to change 1% of the tank water volume daily by AWC, with no other changes unless there is an emergency. I think that walks the line between cost and benefit.

It’s also very easy for the aquarist. It takes only a few minutes a month to make the new salt water. No other action is needed by me.

It has to be 1% everyday forever? It cant be like only monthly. Otherwise it wont be beneficial right?

 

[Notsolostfish]

My plan has been and will be to change 1% of the tank water volume daily by AWC, with no other changes unless there is an emergency. I think that walks the line between cost and benefit.

It’s also very easy for the aquarist. It takes only a few minutes a month to make the new salt water. No other action is needed by me.

How a 1% everyday gonna do anything beneficial to the tank? Serious question? Like the next wouldnt u be taking the new water anyway. And put the new water in? Its like doing nothing

 

[Featherweight]

Trace element replenishment is why. Why are you changing water?

 

[Notsolostfish]

Trace element replenishment is why. Why are you changing water?

Yes. I use all for reef. And while all for reef its good. U cant just go never without water changes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How a 1% everyday gonna do anything beneficial to the tank? Serious question? Like the next wouldnt u be taking the new water anyway. And put the new water in? Its like doing nothing

lol, no it is not like doing nothing.

Changing 1% daily for 30 days is the same as one 26% water change. I discuss that and many other water change issues here:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Notsolostfish]

lol, no it is not like doing nothing.

Changing 1% daily for 30 days is the same as one 26% water change. I discuss that and many other water change issues here:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

What about evaporation in the mixing bin? I dont have to keep flow going and heating going all month long?

 

[Stevorino]

I have a 150G of total water volume. And i have the neptune dos. I use afr, and i usually do 30G monthly. Which is equivalent to 20%. Should i do that 30G monthly with awc? Or its more effective all at once ? Whats better stability wise and etc

Bulk water changes are most efficient with your dollars, but I personally prefer doing it with a DOS over the course of a month to better maintain stability.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What about evaporation in the mixing bin? I dont have to keep flow going and heating going all month long?

I store new salt water unstirred and unheated in Brute cans. I’d avoid using salt mixes with organics if you go the unstirred route since bacteria will consume them and might possibly make it anaerobic. That cannot happen in a mix like normal IO.

 

[vandy]

Bulk water changes are most efficient with your dollars, but I personally prefer doing it with a DOS over the course of a month to better maintain stability.

How is it most efficient with your dollar? Whether you use 30g all at once, or 30g over 30 days, it’s the same volume?

 

[Notsolostfish]

I store new salt water unstirred and unheated in Brute cans. I’d avoid using salt mixes with organics if you go the unstirred route since bacteria will consume them and might possibly make it anaerobic. That cannot happen in a mix like normal IO.

Is the redsea blue bucket good for awc u know?

 

[Stevorino]

How is it most efficient with your dollar? Whether you use 30g all at once, or 30g over 30 days, it’s the same volume?

Randy's article above explains the math

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It takes a little more salt (hence more expense) to get the same effect when doing multiple smaller changes compared to one larger one.

 

[Notsolostfish]

It takes a little more salt (hence more expense) to get the same effect when doing multiple smaller changes compared to one larger one.

What salt do you recommend me to buy for awc?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What salt do you recommend me to buy for awc?

Any salt that is suitable for a reef tank (which us nearly any) can be used via AWC.

I use normal IO in mine.