Another chemistry question

So as long as all my levels are 0.0 and all fish and corals are happy is there a reason to do a water change? Should I just wait till nitrates go up to 1-4? Thanks

 

Water changes help replenish trace elements into the water as well as calcium mag and all that stuff good

 

+1. That is why I try to do a 10% water change every other week. I also use this chance to siphon out the LR and get rid of anything unwanted in the tank as well. That being said, water changes help get rid of waste products in your tank as well.

Of course there are people out there that never do a water change and "say" they are successful. I just don't see how they can be lol.

 

Oh yeah I forgot about that. I guess il plan to do a 10% every other week unless my levels are too high.

 

I think that is a good plan lol. I forget about stuff all the time when I go to post stuff lol. I chalk it up to getting older though.

 

LOL fair enough you are the big 3-0. But at 14 he can't use that excuse yet

And to the OP, I assume you're talking about ammonia/nitrates when you say you want to make sure the levels don't get too high. You could also keep an eye on calcium/mag/alk and ph to make sure they're steady and in the right range.

 

Hehehe well I've had about enough caffeine to run 3 marathons with some energy left over anyways yes I ment ammo trites and trates. I'll just make sure to keep an eye on them and do a PWC every other week unless one of those levels go up. And yes of course ph, I have a love/hate relationship with that one. Atleast with FW. I won't be testing for mag/cal yet because I won't have any sps and my salt brand supposedly has a good amount of it.

 

yeah i just noticed you were only about to start the cycle. you're right the major 3 are what you gotta watch during that. you know not to do water changes until the cycle is over though right?

 

Yep.
Add shrimp
Wait for ammo to spike
Wait for ammo to go down and trites to raise
Wait for trites to go down
Wait for trates to go down
All levels 0, wait two days and add fish.

 

Once you start adding SPS, be consistant. I have been very successful with SPS. If you aren't consistant with your water changes, then other levels like Ca, Alk, Mag, and other trace elements aren't consistant.. They always do better when I leave things alone (not making major changes to the water chemistry). I have the tank in my apartment at college. During summer breaks I just go up to do a water change every week. During this time the corals seem to thrive. I guess they don't like me!!