Water Changes

Was wondering what everyone here did on the water change schedule.
And what are your thoughts about your water change schedule.

 

I change 3 weeks straight 20% and then skip a week.

I have been doing some what of a water change tests for a couple of years now and find that weekly changes (for 3 weeks) helps me replenish my missing elements so I don't have to buy extra supplements which help my cash flow if you know what I mean.
I use a two part balance ionic balanced (Calxmax) Calcium & Alk additive Mon, Wed, Friday.
Add turbo Calcium powder when needed on the off days or add to water on the weekly water change. Iodine 1 drop 3 times a week.

 

any feed back on why you change your water this way?

 

Oops.. I think I hit 10%, once a month. I meant 20%.
Doing a water change every 2 - 4 weeks has always worked for me.
More often on my small tanks like my 6 gallon or it gets out of whack.

I dose when necessary per tests.
May dose more now that I have a bunch of frags added this week.

 

I selected 10% twice a month, but in real life I change 5% every week or 20% per month.

 

I selected NEVER as I haven't ever done a water change. Never had to, and see no reason to UNLESS something dramatic happens which fortunately it hasn't ( fingers crossed )

However, and not wanting to be too contraversial, all those with DSB's should do a water change each week ;-)

 

Do you have a water top off system JohnO?

Can you tell me why you never change the water please I am interested in the theroy behind not changing water?
Do you have a very large aquarium?

 

the 10% a week works for me it seems to keep the bad alges in check and the ones i want thriving so im not gonna change it ;D

 

I perform 13.333% every two weeks. I will admit that some weeks are more crazy than others and I may skip a week but I will notice a difference in Algae, Coral Polyps and Clam mantel extension. So I get on it right away.

Very Curious of JohnO's system He is a man of mystery. I've read about people like him before. I like to call them the no water change people. They live in Germany and Australia and a few through the southern US. I must find more info

J

 

[quote author=Nautilus link=board=General;num=1071412160;start=0#6 date=12/17/03 at 04:04:43]Do you have a water top off system JohnO?

Can you tell me why you never change the water please I am interested in the theroy behind not changing water?
Do you have a very large aquarium?[/quote]

Hi Nautillus,

I haven't got a top off system, just an RO water filter than I run into a plastic drum and then pour into the sump. Top up about 7 gallons per week.

The reason I never change the water routinely is that I haven't had to do so, it's really that simple. I learned a while back that unless you see dramatic and sudden changes that you really shouldn't do anything other than observe. Most occurances in reef taks are cyclical and will soon pass with little or no action needed.

If you however have a problem that just wont go away then maybe a water changes is necessary, but remember when you do this all you are doing is diluting the problem, you are not correcting it.

John

BTW My tank is approx 160 gallons inc sump