W/C (weekly 20% or twice a week at 10%)

[dreamcatcherr9]

Would a slightly larger but still regularly scheduled water change of 20% OR a 10% water change performed twice a week provide more stability to the tank?

 

For background:

 

10 gallon nano tank.

 

Running with upgraded return pump (310gph); (Purigen, Chem Pure).

 

Heater, 10 lbs live sand, 15 lbs live rock.

 

NO Protein Skimmer running (I just don't have room to for one, I might try to mod or DIY one later, but for now, no skimmer).

 

Hence the reason for the larger(er) water changes.

 

Thoughts or opinions?

[Neebles]

I used to be of the mindset that larger less frequent water changes were the way to go...after doing a bunch of reading it seems like smaller, more frequent water changes will keep the tank more stable. Just kind of picture larger less frequent water changes as waves, your elements rise and fall rise and fall. With the more frequent changes its much calmer seas if you will.

[smeagol108]

I would add some 100% changes to your routine as well.

[markalot]

Depends on the inhabitants and if you are dosing or not. I would go for 25% once a week since it's only 10 gallons, but if 10% is easy then three 10% a week is probably best. If the goal is to remain as stable as possible then more water changes but you should get a good kit, like Salifert, and test KH before change, after change, and your new water to see where you are at. For stability, KH swings do the most harm IMO.

[dreamcatcherr9]

Thanks for the test kit suggestions.

 

100% water changes???

 

Forgive my ignorance, but is that not unheard of / insane?

[Dark_ice]

Thanks for the test kit suggestions.

 

100% water changes???

 

Forgive my ignorance, but is that not unheard of / insane?

 

Internet trolls are everywhere. Prob has a tang in a 10g

[smeagol108]

Internet trolls are everywhere. Prob has a tang in a 10g

Wow, I think you must be the troll. If you have read this forum and done your research nutrient export is the most important thing in long term survival of a reef tank. This isn't just accomplished via media usage, refugiums, and gfo. Corals are fine out of water. There's guys with massive tanks who use 80-100 water changed As well. Many members here with the longest running reef tanks use 100 percent changes in their routine including myself. I am not a troll, nor do I have a tang in a ten gallon So why not be so quick to be rude about someone's comments. I keep a six gallon full of sps, softies, and Lps, as well as two high fin gobies and a flaming prawn goby.

 

Here's one of a few discussions:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/358374-100-water-change-vs-media/?fromsearch=1#

[markalot]

Depends on the coral, as you know since you've been discussing it. I think it required more than a single sentence to consider 100% changes, so you all should just call a truce and be done with it.

[Dark_ice]

Well excuse me for not taking your seriously, maybe going more in deth would be more appropriate. Do you think 100% water changes are nessisairy in a 10g tank? I had mine for 4-5 years and never did such a thing

[smeagol108]

Sorry there were just a few recent threads on the subject so at the time of posting i figured the OP could do a search on the subject if interested in learning more. I do think that they can be very beneficial in a small tank and large. If salinity and temp are correct, your corals shouldnt mind. its just works as a really good method for getting lots of detritus out of the tank at one time as opposed to lots of resettling when you blow it off rocks and sand and only do a partial change. Its full nutrient export which is something that happens in the ocean all day long do to crashing waves tides etc.... I just think its something worth doing as part of a maitenance routine every once in a while. I am new to nano tank and always had large tanks previously so i have been doing alot of research on the subject myself recently, because I to at first thought it was something that was not possible to do.