Are water changes necessary?

I haven't done a water change in a while and have only topped off my tank as needed. I check my water parms weekly, and everything is in check.

Given the water parms are fine, should I still be doing water changes?

On a side note: I'm asking this question because I have a major GHA breakout that just won't go away (read about it here). Now, prior to moving my tank (1year ago), I had a GHA outbreak and did weekly water changes...and it never went away either. Make sure you read my Algae thread though, as I've done a lot to try to get rid of the GHA with my current tank.

Thanks!

 

People are gonna come on here and say yes yes yes, lol and im gonna get flamed BUT i have a 500 gallon system with a 180 and a couple sumps, been running for a while and have NEVER done a water change.....Tank is perfect, no algea nothing parms are always stable

 

let me be the first to kick it off;D
yes yes yes yes it replenish the element that your coral take in amount other things:

 

The answer, as in most things, is that it depends. Good filtration, dosing, and not overfeeding may make it possible to avoid water changes. Smaller tanks also make it difficult to get by without water changes. I have a small tank, minimal filtration, don't dose, and have a habit of overfeeding. Water changes for me are a must.


My Tank

 

There has been LOTS of discussion of this topic, as you will see if you search past threads. Many people are passionate about their pro- or con- opinion. However, you have one additional complicating factor, which is the algae. An algae outbreak means that you have an excess of nutrients in your tank. They can only be coming from a few sources:
1) Phosphates in your water supply (if not using RO/DI water)
2) Excessive feeding (ie. adding more food than the fish are eating, and having the food break down)
3) Tank wastes that are not being removed effectively.

Depending on the source of the problem, you will decide your solution. If the phosphates are coming from your water supply, you need a new RO/DI filter. If they are coming from feeding/wastes, your best bet is, you guessed it, WATER CHANGES.

So it's not just a matter of your parameters checking out - if you have an outbreak of algae and the problem is not from your water, I would consider more frequent changes (or else significant augmentation of your filtration, including possibly a better skimmer and phosphate reactor).

 

If your dosing to replace trace elements, and all levels are ok then no, there not needed. If your not dosing, then the water changes( the salt mix) replenish the trace elements.

 

Would insufficient trace elements have anything to do with my algae growth?

 

No, its more for Corals, Algae grows for 3 main reasons. Light, phosphates, and Nitrates. Phosphates and Nitrates being the biggest culprit.

 

Keep in mind that you may test zero because the existing algae is consuming it. It doesn't mean that your water is nutrient free.

My Tank

 

As said, no, water changes are not necessary. IMO a properly set up and running reef tank should not have excess wastes building up to begin with. That only leaves replenishing elements, which can be done through dosing. I have yet to do a single water change on my system.
But like barbarossa said, if you're having a algae outbreak, then your levels are not fine. Algae can consume the wastes faster than what can be tested for, giving you a false testing. Look into your stock, filtration, feeding habits, and age of bulbs, as those are the leading culprits.