water changes

[Bamzam]

Hi,

 

I have a 12 gallon tank that holds about 10 gallons of water. I'm currently buying salt water from my LFS so it is always consistent. If I ensure to match temp, is there any downside/risk to doing a 2 gallon water change twice a week? I figure this would replenish calc/alk as well as keep nitrates extremely low. I don't mind the labor at all, as I currently change out about 30 gallons every day on my fresh water tank lol. However, I'm very new to salt water and I'm not sure if there's another factor that I'm not aware of that would cause harm to my fish/coral.

 

Thanks!

[Sharbuckle]

no downside at all really.. except maybe for your wallet.

 

I would do the 2 gallons once a week. I do 3 gallons weekly in my 29g and it works great.

[brandon429]

If you did all of it changed each morning it wouldn't hurt, only benefit the tank. People do less to avoid work, not that large water changes have anything but a benefit for the system

 

Matching temp and salinity is sufficient

[Bamzam]

Awesome thanks. On that note, does keeping salt water in a bucket with a lid at room temp with no circulation change any of the chemistry? I usually fill up my 5 gallon bucket every week at my LFS. I've been doing larger water changes of 3-4 gal weekly. The rest of the water I use to rinse/clean other stuff and then throw it out. Eventually I want to change that to change out 2 gallons on Saturday/Sunday and then leave the remaining water in the bucket until Wednesday for another water change.

[Nano sapiens]

Awesome thanks. On that note, does keeping salt water in a bucket with a lid at room temp with no circulation change any of the chemistry? I usually fill up my 5 gallon bucket every week at my LFS. I've been doing larger water changes of 3-4 gal weekly. The rest of the water I use to rinse/clean other stuff and then throw it out. Eventually I want to change that to change out 2 gallons on Saturday/Sunday and then leave the remaining water in the bucket until Wednesday for another water change.

 

No. I've been doing this for years in a 5g bucket, which I use up in about 4-5 weeks (1g/wk water changes)