Water changes

[Joe Bob Hankey]

Okay, in the past I've typically changed out water 10% to 15% per week to
keep nitrates low for my invertebrates and fish, as well as to prepare for
my eventual foray into the world of live corals.

I've recently set up a plenum, and I've begun to grow algae to help
naturally lower the nitrates. As such, my water levels are around 0 for
ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, naturally (without water changes) and my
calcium/alkalinity/ph levels are optimal (by virute of adding appropriate
buffering compounds, additives, etc.).

Given the natural filtering in effect, how often should I do water
changeouts, and in what quantity per changeout? Are there other toxins that
build up (aside from warring corals/anemones)?

Thanks in advance,

JBH

[Steve \Srfmon\]

I'm right there with you.
I have to check my log to see when the last water change was done on my
tank. nitrates are at 2ppm & when they creep up to 5ppm, I get back on the
water change schedule again - till they drop to almost zero.
This works for me, & if it works for you that's great.
Steve

"Joe Bob Hankey" > wrote in
message ...
> Okay, in the past I've typically changed out water 10% to 15% per week to
> keep nitrates low for my invertebrates and fish, as well as to prepare for
> my eventual foray into the world of live corals.
>
> I've recently set up a plenum, and I've begun to grow algae to help
> naturally lower the nitrates. As such, my water levels are around 0 for
> ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, naturally (without water changes) and my
> calcium/alkalinity/ph levels are optimal (by virute of adding appropriate
> buffering compounds, additives, etc.).
>
> Given the natural filtering in effect, how often should I do water
> changeouts, and in what quantity per changeout? Are there other toxins
that
> build up (aside from warring corals/anemones)?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> JBH
>
>

[Ken]

Unless something is off on my tank (92 gal), I do a monthly water
change of about 10-15%. Calcium and Alk buffer are the only addititves
I add so I do the monthly water changes for the trace elements in the
salt.
I dont know if I reakly have to do a monthly, but just from
observation the tank looks nicer after I do.

Ken


"Joe Bob Hankey" > wrote in message >...
> Okay, in the past I've typically changed out water 10% to 15% per week to
> keep nitrates low for my invertebrates and fish, as well as to prepare for
> my eventual foray into the world of live corals.
>
> I've recently set up a plenum, and I've begun to grow algae to help
> naturally lower the nitrates. As such, my water levels are around 0 for
> ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, naturally (without water changes) and my
> calcium/alkalinity/ph levels are optimal (by virute of adding appropriate
> buffering compounds, additives, etc.).
>
> Given the natural filtering in effect, how often should I do water
> changeouts, and in what quantity per changeout? Are there other toxins that
> build up (aside from warring corals/anemones)?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> JBH