Water Change VS Nitrates

[anizato]

I have a new 50 gallon reef. So far i tiny fish and a few softies. I run a NWB-150 Octopus in a 29gal sump, growing some red gracilaria (slowly but surely), GFO reactor, 2 Kessil 360

My question is.

 

Nitrates are at 0 and have been since the end of the cycle, testing consistently once a week. I have performed one water change since October 1st, never noticing Nitrates above 0. I did a water change anyway on November 1st. Since then the water has maintained at same quality.

 

I stir sand every other day, I feed micro-plankton and reef-roids to my coral, and 4 pellets to my single fish throughout the day. Obviously once the bioload increases so will the amount of frequency in water changes.

 

Is it detrimental to wait that long - despite the consistent 0 across the board - between water changes? Am I right or wrong?

 

What do you think I should do? What would you do?

[CatfishSoupFTW]

If its working for you, and things are growing, then I see little harm done here. With the very little bioload I suppose not much is changing for the worse which is good. If its once a month or twice a month and its all working out then I suppose keep er going. If it aint broke - dont fix it.

 

Though obviously as you ad more live stock, params. will change most likely and youll have to do more water changes.

Question, why do you stir up your sand ever so often?

 

and on another side note - your DP looks familiar. Aquascaping world? or Kokos goldfish?

[anizato]

Right on. Your words are reassuring, since the second water change is coming up on the 1st, and my tests today were at 0 again.

 

To answer your question about stirring my sand.

I am trying to keep my sand as clean as possible. It is hard since I don't have anything to stir up the sand naturally. So I figured in the ocean it gets moved around all the time, help get the nasty sediment into the water in hopes the skimmer will spew it out. That is my reasoning at least. If you have any input or suggestions I am all ears bro (:

[CatfishSoupFTW]

ye that makes sense.

 

Sand sifting snails, gobies, and blue legged hermit grabs would be a great addition for some substrate agitation. I got a sleeper goby recently, and I love seeing him sift through the substrate. Everyday little hills are formed. haha

 

I guess it depends how often you stir, and how deep the sand bed is. I know some people dont dare touch their substrate after prolonged months of stuff collecting underneath but a CUC would be beneficial.

[Azedenkae]

I like your idea about the sand stirring - constant stirring will mean that things will not be trapped and concentrated in the sand for long enough to be an issue.

 

I was going to do it until I realize my Clowns were doing it for me.

 

I like the above suggestion. That or if you don't want a fish, there are plenty of other options - snails and worms and such.

[CronicReefer]

I have a new 50 gallon reef. So far i tiny fish and a few softies. I run a NWB-150 Octopus in a 29gal sump, growing some red gracilaria (slowly but surely), GFO reactor, 2 Kessil 360

My question is.

 

Nitrates are at 0 and have been since the end of the cycle, testing consistently once a week. I have performed one water change since October 1st, never noticing Nitrates above 0. I did a water change anyway on November 1st. Since then the water has maintained at same quality.

 

I stir sand every other day, I feed micro-plankton and reef-roids to my coral, and 4 pellets to my single fish throughout the day. Obviously once the bioload increases so will the amount of frequency in water changes.

 

Is it detrimental to wait that long - despite the consistent 0 across the board - between water changes? Am I right or wrong?

 

What do you think I should do? What would you do?

The main reason for doing frequent water changes is to replace trace elements that corals deplete from the water. However, if you aren't keeping LPS/SPS this isn't going to be very necessary. If your kH/calcium/magnesium all stay within natural levels between water changes then you can space them out as needed, dosing can also be done to maintain trace elements in water between water changes but is only needed if they drop to low levels.