water changes

Water changes are not mandatory – just a means to an end. Two main things, essential element replacement and removing the waste at the end of the biological chain. I am not going to say anything about testing – you should do that no matter the approach. If you add supplements and resolve your nitrates by other means than there is no good reason for water changes. Actually, you can argue a good case in terms of temp, ph & alk swings during changes. It’s all a matter of preference and desired involvement level. For years I did not do water changes, I got bored and now I do water changes again.

I use to rely on Kent essential elements, B-Ionic, chemi-clean, purigen & rowa-phos and my refugium for years on end. For the past year I have been doing water changes so I am a little more involved. If my wife would let me strip it and restart like I would like to than I would go back to no changes. Once your tank is finished all you have is top off water & changes.

 

I have yet to do a single water change on my big tank. It is still going very well.
I think the idea that water changes controls params is a mistake. There should not be a build up of wastes in a properly set-up and running reef tank, period. Just my two cents.

What do you think your salt mix is? 100% synthetic, artificial compounds