bo0ger1 wrote:
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


You were implying it. If my word doesn't mean anything to you than why are
you responding to me?

Because I have nothing better to do. And no I wasn't implying it. It
would just help if we could all see your particular setup. I mean you
can't honestly believe that every person in every situation needs no
water changes. Someone with an under-gravel filter for instance has no
possible way to get rid of nitrates other than water changes. But you
blindly say, no water changes.



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


I can assure you that I do not keep an aquarium with dead animals floating
around. Why would anyone do that?

I don't know why people do what they do. My point is, do you have
sensitive invertibrates, such as coral and anemones, or just fish and
rock? It's been tauted time and time again that fish are far hardier
than other reef creatures, and do not need water changes. Nobody at all
disputes this. Some dude came on here and said that for 2 years his
wife did nothing with the tank apart from top-offs, and he didn't lose
any fish. No surprise.



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.


This is called FOLLOWING the HERD. Follow away!

Ya, I follow the herd on lots of things. Like I eat 3 meals a day. I
also sleep every night. Turns out I also obey most of the laws set
forth in the books. You're such a rebel for not changing your water, I
might compare you to Fonzie.



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 have a lot more than my word. I have a healthy aquarium. YOU have
nothing more than my word.

You're right, you have everything. I have no more than your word.
Turns out I only care about myself so that's what's important to me.



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.


Good. I'm glad the irony wasn't wasted.


But when marine biologists highly touted as the best in a particular field
write books.


Really? Everyone that writes a book on marine aquariums is the best in
their field? Do you REALLY believe this?

You're right that's what I said, oh sh*t, no it's not. I said that they
have written books and are highly touted. Many, many people have read
and followed their advice and had successful aquariums. If you can
point me to one book(actually published and sold somewhere, not the
internet, where any goofball can write a page) anywhere that says it's
cool not to change your water ever, I'd greatly appreciate it.



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.

Note you didn't respond to this. An aquarium with huge volumes of water
at a zoo or what have you. I'm sure it's incredibly expensive to change
the water that they do. Why do they do it, if it's unnecessary.
Seriously, if you have more knowledge on the subject than every marine
biologist at every zoo, than I'm truly impressed. Oh, they're probably
just blindly following the herd.



I'm a troll because I don't do water changes?

No, you're a troll because you're a jerk, as illustrated in your many
other posts.


Why do you do water changes?

It makes a difference in the lives of my creatures


In what way? Do they smile more?

Yep, they do, actually they seem more active and cheerful.



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.


No thanks. I don't believe in just blindly following the herd.

Sure you do, just not on this issue.



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.


You can add trace elements. It is much cheaper and easier than doing a
water change. Doing water changes also puts more stress on your
inhabitants.

$1000's in supplements? Where do you shop? Waynes?

What elements? How much of each? What do you put in for your corals?
And how the hell much do you pay for salt and water. I know that a
bucket of salt costs me between $35 and $50 and lasts plenty long I
haven't calculated how much the water costs, but I'm guessing it's less
than one shower or bath costs. Taking water out is not difficult and
putting it back in is easier, so expensive and difficult do not compute.