water changes

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009.

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  1. K-ROB

    K-ROB Astrea Snail

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    I have a 97 gallon corner tank and have to add at least 2 gallons of water every other day. Is it still neccesary to do water changes?:confused:
     
    K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009
    K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009
    #1

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I guess the answer would depend on why you were doing water changes to begin with.
    So, why do you do water changes?
     
    missionsix, Jan 4, 2009
    missionsix, Jan 4, 2009
    #2
  3. Optimist

    Optimist Peppermint Shrimp

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    lol.. six you are funny.
     
    Optimist, Jan 4, 2009
    Optimist, Jan 4, 2009
    #3
  4. K-ROB

    K-ROB Astrea Snail

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    Is it not recommended to do water changes in a fish/reef tank.Learning as I go.
     
    K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009
    K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009
    #4
  5. Boredm

    Boredm Spaghetti Worm

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    a bit off topic but I recently had a problem with evap. Check your filter system. I had a fuge and that turned out to be a big problem so I went back to an old wet dry that was fully enclosed. Even leaving the top off my tank isn't a problem anymore. Good luck with your set-up
     
    Boredm, Jan 4, 2009
    Boredm, Jan 4, 2009
    #5
  6. K-ROB

    K-ROB Astrea Snail

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    thanks this just really started after i took my top off but i like the way it looks without it and i think my coral is getting better lighting
     
    K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009
    K-ROB, Jan 4, 2009
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  7. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    I would say it is highly recommended to do water changes. There are some examples of mature tanks that get them rarely... but for most folks, water changes are the way to go!


    You're adding water because of evaporation. Your salts do not evaporate. So I hope you're adding freshwater every other day to top off.

    When you do a water change, you do mix new salt and this replenishes calcium, magnesium and a bunch of other things. Because when you siphon out the old water, the dissolved salts (and a bunch of other stuff) siphon out too. So you replace them.


    Water Changes and top offs due to evaporation are not interchangeable or really related.

    hope it helps. good luck
     
    Peredhil, Jan 4, 2009
    Peredhil, Jan 4, 2009
    #7
  8. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    missionsix, Jan 4, 2009
    missionsix, Jan 4, 2009
    #8
  9. RemickJ

    RemickJ Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    I asked the same question a little while ago. Here is what I concluded. Evap and removing water is not the same. Evap takes out water only. When you do a water change you are removing waste and other things from the water that may cause Nitrates and replacing it with new "clean" water. My tank evaps about 1 1/2 -2 gallons a day. I still do a 10% water change every few weeks. Just my two cents.
     
    RemickJ, Jan 4, 2009
    RemickJ, Jan 4, 2009
    #9
  10. 10acrewoods

    10acrewoods Fire Goby

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    evaporation is just like the distillation process. the water that is evaping from your tank in not taking any thing out just water. With a water change you are taking out some things such as nitrates and oter wastes. Also mixing in new salt will replenish some other trace elements that just adding ro won't do.
     
    10acrewoods, Jan 4, 2009
    10acrewoods, Jan 4, 2009
    #10
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