Water changes for SPS Dominated tanks

EyeReef · Mar 27, 2011

We all strive for 0 phosphate in our water. There are many methods to keep the level down to a minimum. Phosban reactors, cheatos, skimmer etc are all options. My question is, would it be okay to do a 25% water change twice a week or even a 50% once a week to help maintain a low level. Would it affect the stability of the tank with a freq large water change?

BigDaddyStar · Mar 27, 2011

good question.....I have always been a softie guy just now moving into sps domination with my new 180g setup......I know with softies it always seemed like water changes were bad.....something always did not like it.

This does not help but I am awaiting some good responses

zigginit · Mar 27, 2011

if you match water temp and what not then you should be fine. i always find most coral love a water change once they stop freaking out over the dust that gets kicked up.

CoralMonkey · Mar 27, 2011

I think it would be overkill doing 50% per week. If you have to do that much in order to keep PO4 in check, then something else should be changed in the routine, whether it is feeding less, skimming more, lower bioload etc etc.

EyeReef · Mar 27, 2011

Im definitely not going to do 50%, but I was just wondering if there was any ill effect from doing it. Thanks for all the comments...would love more input

sps4mytank · Mar 28, 2011

i hardly change my water....but then again i dose vodka...I am 98 percent sps

jhnnle · Mar 28, 2011

I have done 25% water changes on my 150g without seeing any negative side effects. If you plan on doing this twice a week, check the water parameters before adding in the new water. Sps doesn't like sudden fluctuations in dKh, etc.

suvuong7 · Mar 28, 2011

I find that doing water changes too frequently doesn't help much I dose every day once a month water changes less feeding and more skimming helps more

mikedege · Mar 28, 2011

I do 20G a week change religiously on my 100G SPS dominated. It seems to be working fine.

good luck, Mike

LifeAquatic · Mar 28, 2011

..

You can use frequent water changes as a nutrient control method. Generally there wouldnt be a problem. When keeping SPS you would just want to make sure the new waters parameters match your tank parameters or you will be constatnly testing for ca, alk,mag.

blairdawg · Mar 28, 2011

Agree. Lower the nutrients, better the colors for sps IMO

LifeAquatic said:

Reefer08 · Mar 28, 2011

Everyone has a differen't way of acheiving success in their tank. Ive seen reefers who swear by weekly water changes and others who very rarely do water changes both have success. So don't believe only one persons advice because their are several differen't ways of being successful.

I think whats most important is to try and aim for as much stability as possible. If its easier for you to do smaller water changes more frequently then make sure you only changing a small amount of water, too much and too frequently will stress out the livestock. If you do prefer a big waterchange then make sure you do it less frequently.

Personally I like doing it once a month. I'll do 30-40% waterchange once a month. I used to do 10% a week every sunday. I see no difference between the two in my aquarium. I just like doing a monthly water change more because its easier. Im able to wheel in a barrle and wheel it away, finish everything in under 10 minutes thanks to a 1 inch hose that drains super fast lol

kiwigirl · Mar 29, 2011

Reefer08 what size is your tank.....just upgraded to a 180g and wondering the % of water change I should do.

lowbudget · Mar 29, 2011

he has like a 60 or 70 gallon tank

Reefer08 · Mar 29, 2011

lowbudget said:

:doh: 67g get it right Sanh!

LOL j/k man.

Reefer08 · Mar 29, 2011

kiwigirl said:

67g.

Id probably do a 20g water change per week (~10%) or 40g every 2-3 weeks. Just as long as you decide on something and stay consistent with it you'll be good.

711Tonyst · Apr 18, 2011

weakly for me and very stable ca alk mg

IEreefmaster · Apr 18, 2011

I have a 70g and I do 20g every week. I have had nothing but success since I started doing this.

DETANE · Apr 18, 2011

in an SPS tank you should always check the new Saltwater's parameters for you transfer it into your tank. everything should match or be very close. If you deviate too much you will crash your tank.. ASK OCReefMaster. I warned him, he didn't listen. Now he knows. (NOT BASHING YOU BRO) But the name Reef Master is misleading. lol
In most part it is large sudden swings in parameters that cause a crash. I do water changes every 3 months, i feed heavy, skim heavy, and use Bio Pellet and carbon. my tank is 98% SPS. I used to dose Vodka but hated having to keep re-adjusting the dosing amounts on the dosing unit, thats why i switched to Bio pellets.

OCReefMadness · Apr 18, 2011

It depend which corals do you keep in your tank. For LPS (love dirty water) you might do biweekly or monthly water change but I keep mostly 97% SPS, so I do 25g water change weekly for 225g tank. It's around 10% weekly water change (I do not trust Tropic Marine Pro any more).

Water changes for SPS Dominated tanks

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