regular water changes thing of the past?? who doesnt do them who does????

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I guess when I speak it's from a SPS point of view. With a LPS tank, or soft corals, I might be less inclined to change as much for corals, although the fish would still have to be considered. I guess my philosophy is to keep it as close to natural as I can, given the small space. I just know that when I'm swimming down in the tropics, I don't mind getting a mouthful of water, but I sure wouldn't want tank water touching my lips I've pulled fish out of the ocean for my selfish enjoyment, I feel the least I can do is keep the water as clean as possible.

Now sure, it can be done. Steve will pop in here shortly and tell us how he ran his tank for over a year without changing water, and his corals had some color. But....is this optimal for all the creatures in the water? Or is it sufficient to meet our particular requirements (color, growth, whatever it is we each want from the tank). I would guess the later. A tank can and often will be successful, within the measurements of our individual requirements for success, without water changes. Will it get worse by changing water? I don't think it would. Would the fish be healthier/happier with water changes? I suspect so..

another good point...the fishies..... i do want whats best for them and having a small tank means they are forced to breathe the same water more frequent........so i may have to re think for their sakes as i agree with your point that if were gonna box em up might as well give them the best we can

[Lance]

10% every other week.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Now sure, it can be done. Steve will pop in here shortly and tell us how he ran his tank for over a year without changing water, and his corals had some color.

don't need to now, you already did. but some color ..... come on

anyways I don't say you can go with out one but I definatly don't say you need to do it every month or week for that matter, if you have a good set up that is overskimmed, ect then you need to be the judge. do a couple at one month, then try two months for a couple then three months while keeping notes of different things as you go. this is what I did, and yes I did go a year once and that was sucessfull but shortly after that I had the heater incident and the sand bed removal.

Steve

[Gripenfelter]

I used to do 6% weekly water changes but my new skimmer pulls about 2 litres of dirty dark green gunk out of the tank daily so I'm always topping off with about 2.5 L of water a day.

So now I do 3% weekly water changes. Been about a month. Everyone still seems happy.

[Wanderer]

my 18 gallon which has a slim skim nano gets a 5 gallon water change with Royal nature once per week

[ProReef]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I think this is good for the fish in a closed system, it's gives them a break from swimming around in fish urine....not to mention replacing lost elements.

Not doing them, IMO, is being lazy and/or cheap. Reef keeping isn't a hobby for lazy/cheap people

Dido! Cheers Ronnie