[WILLIAM1]

I normally do a 20% water change every 2 weeks but I have gotten a little lazy so every other month I get 1 in. The salt that you mix to make fresh water also replenishes alot of essential elements back into the water becuase they are used up by the things in the tank.

[dinor2]

I think what we find in this hobby is there are some general guidlines that you won't want to stray far from but, at the same time, each tank is different. Each tank has different set ups, livestock and equipment and therefore needs it's own unique maintenance.

I'm still pretty new at this, just 8 months going with my 55gallon reef but I have learned a lot from the people here and really, just by researching myself and figuring out what works for MY tank. Like I said, I still to the guidlines of a reef tank but, for example, I used to do weekly 6 gallon water changes, which, seemed to be ok. But after I broke them up to 2 smaller 3 gallon water changes every 3-4 days, my water parameters are more ballanced and I feel I'm putting less stress on my fish and corals, and, not to mention I feel the water changes are faster! I dose a kalkwasser drip at night, have 85lbs live rock, 80lbs live sand (dsb at 4inches), a overflow in the dt where I have a small refugium with lots of cheato and pods, and a protein skimmer.

One thing I really enjoy in this great hobby is the learning experience! I love testing the water, love researching more about the livestock I want to get and actually have learned more patience doing this than in anything else! And it's a great teaching tool for my kids as well.

Sorry to go on, I just thought I'd throw my .02 in, I really believe we need to 'listen' to our tanks to figure out how to best take care of them.

I don't know if you have live rock in your tank, if not, I would recommend you add that as it does play a big part in filtration and compliments your skimmer in making the water clean. As for the nitrates and nitrites, I encourage you to do lots of research on the nitrogen cycle. The three types of filtration are great, but, imho only the skimmer and lr and ls are necessary in a saltwater system. A mechanical filter could be beneficial but there are many critters in your clean up crew (ie. snails, crabs, shrimp) that help to take care of detrius and uneaten foods.

Last, I'd encourage you to keep reading thru threads here on this site, there is so much valuable information and experience here that really will help you, cause it definitly helped and is still helping me!

I would love to see a picture of your tank, I think it may also help others help you with some of the questions you have.

Welcome to RB!

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by DEWAYNE

no, disrespect e_baer, I have never changed my water that often, and never will. I am not the know it all here, I have learned alot from you guys. I guess when you find what works for you, then stick to it. I change my water about every 3 to 4 months, it has worked out great. I just think that with water evaporation, like I have I add 3-5 gallons of water every week. I just don't think changing your water that often is a must, and why? stress out your fish and corals with that many water changes, as long as your water parimaters are in check, why? fix something that is not broken. e_baer, please know that this is no disrepect to you or anyone else that does regular water changes like that, just curious really as to why? so many water changes.

No disrespect taken! We all have different tanks and set ups and we all find what works for our own tank. I say every 1-2 weeks because he does not have a skimmer and has an algae problem. The algae problem to me means that there is an excess in nutrients. These water changes will help lower those nutrients by removing the old water and adding fresh new water. Agreed that too much of a water change can be detrimental, but a 10-20% weekly or biweekly should not unless you have EXTREMELY picky corals or you do not mach the SG temp, alk, ph, etc. Water changes help replenish lost minerals from skimming, and just basic use from the aquarium animals.

You may have good parameters, but unless you dose all the trace elements in which there are over 70 of them, a water change is a great idea.

I used to do what you did too and my corals would not grow very fast. Now I do a 20% every 2-4 weeks, dependong on how busy I am and my corals are growing all over the place.

[DEWAYNE]

e-baer, I just added alot of corals and LR to my tank, the reef build is off to a great start, check out my photo gallery, keep in mind its less than 2 months old. I am luv'n it, the FOWLR tank was nice, but this is awesome. thanks for not taking any offense to my comment, it's suppose to be "just like that" check out the photos, let me know what you think.

[e_baer]

Looks great. I am glad you have found what works for you, it took me 2 years to find what works for me...