weekly waterchanges and water stablilty - Aquarium Advice

john0087 · 02-19-2006, 01:47 PM

Hey all,

I am trying to make a better effort to stabilize my tank as I build my reef. Currently the only coral I have is a green open brain, which is doing quite well, but I do have question about water changes.

Right now, I change about 2.5 gal/week using oceanwater from my LFS. This is about 7% (37gal tank). My concern is when I do the change, no matter how careful I am, tank temp drops from 80 to +/-74. Also, I am extremely careful about pouring the water, but is always clouds up the water.

I was thinking about starting to do 1gal water changes weekly which would be about 3%. Would this be too little of a water change?
Water params this morning be for the change were

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-less than 10ppm
Phosphate-less than .5ppm
Kdh-10
calcium-+500ppm (quite high I think. I do not supplement)

Thanks

fishfreek · 02-19-2006, 02:03 PM

If the water temp drops when you do your water change thats implying your not preheating the water your adding. Get a small heater and heat up the water to get it to tank temp before adding it to the tank. That will stop the temperature change.

As far as adding water the easiest thing for you since its such a small amount. Get some 1/4" clear plastic tubing. Simular to the stuff that the gravel vac's have. Then put one end in your bucket or jug or what ever you have the new water in. Put this on top of your tank and syphon the water into the tank. This will take a little longer but it wont stur up any of the sand in the tank.

john0087 · 02-19-2006, 06:31 PM

ok, I will try warming the water next time.

What about %change. Does 1 gal (3%) seem like enough, or should I stick with 2.5gal(7%).

FYI, phosphate and nitrate are usually near 0, but 48hrs before I change water, I spot feed the coral with microvert, so I am assuming that this raised the readings a little bit.

Thanks

fishfreek · 02-19-2006, 09:36 PM

I would do biweekly 5 gal changes myself. The invert food can do what you find. You can try feeding a little less of this food and see if that helps your levels.

john0087 · 02-21-2006, 08:12 PM

ok

just to be sure, biweekly = evry other week

Thanks

john

Brenden · 02-21-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

biweekly = evry other week

Yes

02-19-2006, 01:47 PM	#1
john0087 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So California Posts: 207	weekly waterchanges and water stablilty Hey all, I am trying to make a better effort to stabilize my tank as I build my reef. Currently the only coral I have is a green open brain, which is doing quite well, but I do have question about water changes. Right now, I change about 2.5 gal/week using oceanwater from my LFS. This is about 7% (37gal tank). My concern is when I do the change, no matter how careful I am, tank temp drops from 80 to +/-74. Also, I am extremely careful about pouring the water, but is always clouds up the water. I was thinking about starting to do 1gal water changes weekly which would be about 3%. Would this be too little of a water change? Water params this morning be for the change were Ammonia-0 Nitrite-0 Nitrate-less than 10ppm Phosphate-less than .5ppm Kdh-10 calcium-+500ppm (quite high I think. I do not supplement) Thanks __________________ 60gal reef in progress 75lbs Live Rock 40lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer Marineland penguin HOB Filter 4x65w PCF FISH 1 - Percula, 1 - Blue-Yellowtail Damsel, 3 - Green reef Chromis Inverts Rose Annenome; Anchor Coral

02-19-2006, 02:03 PM	#2
fishfreek Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 971 Images: 82	If the water temp drops when you do your water change thats implying your not preheating the water your adding. Get a small heater and heat up the water to get it to tank temp before adding it to the tank. That will stop the temperature change. As far as adding water the easiest thing for you since its such a small amount. Get some 1/4" clear plastic tubing. Simular to the stuff that the gravel vac's have. Then put one end in your bucket or jug or what ever you have the new water in. Put this on top of your tank and syphon the water into the tank. This will take a little longer but it wont stur up any of the sand in the tank. __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

02-19-2006, 06:31 PM	#3
john0087 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So California Posts: 207	ok, I will try warming the water next time. What about %change. Does 1 gal (3%) seem like enough, or should I stick with 2.5gal(7%). FYI, phosphate and nitrate are usually near 0, but 48hrs before I change water, I spot feed the coral with microvert, so I am assuming that this raised the readings a little bit. Thanks __________________ 60gal reef in progress 75lbs Live Rock 40lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer Marineland penguin HOB Filter 4x65w PCF FISH 1 - Percula, 1 - Blue-Yellowtail Damsel, 3 - Green reef Chromis Inverts Rose Annenome; Anchor Coral

02-19-2006, 09:36 PM	#4
fishfreek Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 971 Images: 82	I would do biweekly 5 gal changes myself. The invert food can do what you find. You can try feeding a little less of this food and see if that helps your levels. __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

02-21-2006, 08:12 PM	#5
john0087 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So California Posts: 207	ok just to be sure, biweekly = evry other week Thanks john __________________ 60gal reef in progress 75lbs Live Rock 40lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer Marineland penguin HOB Filter 4x65w PCF FISH 1 - Percula, 1 - Blue-Yellowtail Damsel, 3 - Green reef Chromis Inverts Rose Annenome; Anchor Coral

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
If doing 40% water change weekly will skimmer not produce	jasno999	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	4	03-05-2006 11:07 AM
I'm sick of changing water weekly	Scottw68TN	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	71	10-22-2005 10:21 PM
Specific gravity and waterchanges in QT	MarkW19	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	8	08-22-2004 01:14 PM
Do I have to do waterchanges?	RichEhrlich	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	10	08-15-2004 12:18 PM
Weekly mantainence	BmxBandGeek	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	12	05-10-2004 10:35 PM