Flreefer
Aquarium Advice Addict
reefrunner69 said:Nitrate and phosphate are the big ones, for sure, but the trace elements they load the salt mixes with will feed algae as well as coral.
Great discussion, with many good points!
I think the import of trace elements with the water changes, would only become an issue, if using a reef grade salt, as these are juiced with more than normal levels. If using a "normal" salt mix, like regular IO, this would have less of a negative effect, in this light.
I think we all agree that more frequent, smaller changes, are by far better than one large one.
I do roughly 10% weekly changes, with total volume taken into account, with regular IO. This is with an embarrassingly under-sized skimmer and no GFO, without any algae issues. Fish load is very light, however. Because of coral load, I do dose with 2-part, daily.
Dino, so far your tank seems to be doing quite well. Even though 20% seems like a lot (5g on approx. 25g total), with a reef grade salt mix (which I think you use), I would stick with that. Bumping it up to 8g, means you would be completely turning over the tank water every 3 1/2 weeks. With 5g, your turning it every 5 weeks.
I agree that too large or too frequent changes with a reef salt will stack up many elements that we aren't testing for, as well as some that we are, in our tanks. JMO...