tips how you stablize your water!

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

Solid advice. Without some idea of your current parameters it is near impossible to zero in on what you are looking for.

P.S. Hey Reefwars, where you been? Check your PM's :P

my pm box is messed up if i didnt reply it may have got deleted or missed by mistake , pm me again ill get it this time sorry about that buddy

or just text me at 403-554-2196

[MarkoD]

Maybe stop doing water changes so often. I've gone 8 months before without a water change and everything was great.

On a 33 gallon system, a 5 gallon water change will cause swings

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Maybe stop doing water changes so often. I've gone 8 months before without a water change and everything was great.

On a 33 gallon system, a 5 gallon water change will cause swings

I do a 5 gal wc every 3 days on a 42g system. Works great. I would prefer it over a 20g every two weeks which would have higher swings

[darkreef]

8 months :0 without making a nitrite factory ?

My fresh I can go months on ... But I still do it once a week .

Great advice everyone !

I'm going to look into getting a better skimmer .
And wait for my reactor to get in .
I'm going to continue making frequent water changes
Until I can fix the problem
Also going to get my water checked tomorrow get some real readings
Thanks everyone

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by Proteus

I do a 5 gal wc every 3 days on a 42g system. Works great. I would prefer it over a 20g every two weeks which would have higher swings

But why so often? I'm sure you could do a 5 gallon once a week and it would be fine

I have auto water changes setup now and I still only do about 40 gallons every 2 weeks. But I introduce the new water over 3-4 days

[Simons]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Maybe stop doing water changes so often. I've gone 8 months before without a water change and everything was great.

On a 33 gallon system, a 5 gallon water change will cause swings

is that a 'real' time frame or just an indicator for..a long time..?

I have gone about 3 weeks with no water change on my freshwater and the same with my saltwater each time my nitrates start to climb. I guess I am so used to 0's on my test kits. On my saltwater tank I would say I 'over' filter (not that I really believe you can do that) I have a large skimmer and lots of live rock and I can see the water clarity changing after about 3 weeks and I run carbon and GFO...

[darkreef]

I agree . I couldnt wait more then a month with my fresh .
Can't wait to get gfo on the go ! I don't run carbon anymore though

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by Simons

is that a 'real' time frame or just an indicator for..a long time..?

I have gone about 3 weeks with no water change on my freshwater and the same with my saltwater each time my nitrates start to climb. I guess I am so used to 0's on my test kits. On my saltwater tank I would say I 'over' filter (not that I really believe you can do that) I have a large skimmer and lots of live rock and I can see the water clarity changing after about 3 weeks and I run carbon and GFO...

yup real time frame. there are other ways to remove nitrates other than water changes.

i was also dosing everything during that time

freshwater is different. there are no bio pellets or DSB

[darkreef]

got to love when you accidentally pick 24hr shipping and your reactor and media show up the next day.. all plugged in. hope this works !

[darkreef]

someone asked for a picture!

yes my trigger got mauled by my lion already.
he asked for it though
my corals are upset atm i did a small glass scrub before the picture

Good news :
my leather was shedding and is happy again
my reactor came in
and my ro unit is up and running