Pszemol wrote on 9/16/2006 9:20 AM:
"Stoutman" [email protected] wrote in message
m...
So you are saying that over time the water chemistry
will not change in the closed system like a reef tank ?

This is called setting up a "straw man".
No. I am not saying this at all.

You were questioning the reason to change water
based on nitrates...

You know, there are much more different ions there
beside NO3-...

Yes, I am aware.

Then you are probably aware also, that 80% of their
levels you cannot measure at home acuratelly.

With partial water change you replenish
ions used up by growing animals/plants in your tank.

I add trace elements (Kent Marine Essential Elements) on a monthly basis.

Each element is used up in a different speed, but you dump
all of them on a monthly basis regardless if you need it or not.
That will lead over time to chemical imbalance and your tank
water will be far, far away from the content of natural sea water
compared to the water mixed from the fresh salt mix.

You also remove organic byproducts your skimmer left behind.

Such as?

All these which make your water smell and look yellow.
Corals, other invertebrates, fish and plants constantly
release many substances to the water which accumulate
in the closed system like an aquarium. You are not able
to measure them or detect them in home situation...
Changing water refreshes the water and brings it back
to its original ionic combination...
Would you be fine if your house was perfectly sealed
from the outside air and you just reduce amount of
CO2 and add oxygen on regular basis but would not
exchange air for years? How do you think your house would smell ? :-))

hehehe yep, and while he's at it, Stoutman can do away
with the toilet, just use a can, and stop taking showers :-)

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets