The arguments below ignore an important aspect of tank care.
We love our tanks. We love to play with them, make little or
big changes in the coral landscape, get a new fish, remove
green fuzz, siphon up brown, feed the little sweethearts,
wipe their little asses - I mean clean their septic systems
- take photos of our precious hobby and just generally spend
some of our spare time and not so spare money on our live
interest. If I didn't enjoy all that, I not only wouldn't
clean the tank, I wouldn't have one at all.

rtk

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.


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?


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


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


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 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 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?


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


Than why do it?


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


Like what?