Is 80-100% water change risky for soft corals, 3 RBTA and NO fish?

[duganderson]

I'm looking at doing a 80-100% water change on a 34 g. cube that has been poorly maintained for about a year. There are a couple nepthea, a few gorgonians, 1 toadstool leather and three rose bubble tips anemones in there. Are any of these things super sensitive to a HUGE water change if I try to match the temp and salinity really well?

 

 

[NYfishies]

How much sand/rock is in there? That is where the bacteria hides. Should be fine.

[duganderson]

about 20-25 lb of rock and no sand

[markalot]

As long as you match salinity, KH, and to some extent PH (make sure the current tank PH is not too low from being neglected) there should be no problem IMO.

[Clown79]

The water chsnge shouldn't be an issue but if the tank was neglected for a yr or more, the sand probably needs removal, washing, and replacing or removed and replaced with new sand.

 

Most nutrient issues are caused by neglected sand.

[seabass]

about 20-25 lb of rock and no sand

Assuming that phosphate is high; the biggest problem that I see is the sudden drop in phosphate. Some of your livestock could be shocked due to this energy source being removed. However, I suspect (again, assuming that phosphate is high) your rocks will continue to leach phosphate for awhile.

 

Before the water change, please post your tanks nutrient levels, as well as calcium and alkalinity. Also a picture would help. What problems are you trying to solve with the water change? Depending on how far out of whack your parameters are, a series of 20% water changes, twice a week, might be an easier transition for your inverts.

[akdylpickles]

Start with smaller water changes 20% every other day for a few days and gradually increase to larger. If the tank has been neglected that long you don't want to shock the coral and news by giving them too clean of water.

[duganderson]

Thanks for the ideas. I did about a 95% water change and the softies and RBTAs seem to be doing fine.

[Lawnman]

I'm looking at doing a 80-100% water change on a 34 g. cube that has been poorly maintained for about a year. There are a couple nepthea, a few gorgonians, 1 toadstool leather and three rose bubble tips anemones in there. Are any of these things super sensitive to a HUGE water change if I try to match the temp and salinity really well?

 

I see no problem. Just match the salinity and temp.

Thanks for the ideas. I did about a 95% water change and the softies and RBTAs seem to be doing fine.

Well guess you found out lol

[ricoh]

i would have said maybe too much too soon and opted for smaller water changes but hey unless we hear it was too much from yourself it proves what ive learnt that what doesnt work for one person works for another in this hobby

[duganderson]

i would have said maybe too much too soon and opted for smaller water changes but hey unless we hear it was too much from yourself it proves what ive learnt that what doesnt work for one person works for another in this hobby

 

 

I don't think I would have tried this if any of the creatures were super sensitive.