bo0ger1 wrote:
Yep, you're right, I said it can't be done. Oh wait, I didn't. That's
right, I just said, in the 1000's of posts I've read on this topic and the
back and forth arguments that have been done, not one person has posted a
pic of their non-water changed reef tank.


You were implying that it can't be done because you have not seen any
pictures from non-water changers.
Nope, I wasn't implying anything. But your word doesn't mean anything to me



I'm no expert but I think the grand total cost of getting a disposable
camera and taking it to WalMart to have them put it on a CD is like $20.
Far less than those whom can afford this hobby should worry about. So I
think there is something else preventing this.


What would a picture tell you anyway? How can you gage the quality of my
water from a picture?

Well if you had corals flourishing and anemones frolicking, it would be
a better picture than say dead things floating in the water.

I'm not saying it can't be done.


Now you agree that having a healthy aquarium with no water changes is
possible.?.

I agree that anything is possible, but many many more people than you
and your friend say that water changes are necessary with the current
technology.

I know nothing about chemistry, nor do I wish to.


Nor do you wish you to? You agree that you know nothing about chemistry and
you are content not knowing any chemistry? And yet, you are convinced you
need to do water changes?

I'm not convinced I do, but I'm further from convinced that I
don't....you telling me is not good enough. Seeing some kind of setup,
anything might prove your point, but you have nothing, at all, just your
word.


I know that when I got into this hobby I read several books and web pages,
not all of whom own fish stores. And everything I read recommended water
changes.


All of the books I have read also stated to do water changes. Hmmmm. Why
is my aquarium doing so well? Oh, wait I know, they are WRONG.
Do you believe everything you read?

I don't believe everything I read, for instance I believe very little of
what you type. But when marine biologists highly touted as the best in
a particular field write books. Or when zoos and aquariums do water
changes, I figure it best to believe them instead of a person whom I
know nothing more than being a troll on a newsgroup.

I don't do them as religiously as I should,

and yes my critters still live. But I don't have a lot of very expensive
coral, I have just a small bit. But I do change my water, and when I do
it's about 50%.


Why do you do water changes?

It makes a difference in the lives of my creatures



Do I know that if I didn't I would be killing my inverts? no...


Than why do it?

Cuz it's the thing to do. All the kids are doing it...you should try.



but water changes are more than nitrate export, they also replace important
elements that get used by corals(from my understanding).


Like what?

I hear iodine, strontium other crap, again, not a chemist, don't want to
be. And you say, then add it back in. And I say, I don't know what to
add, so I'll buy a bucket of salt for $50 every year, instead of
spending $1000's in suppliments.