Water change questions

[Aquattro]

Top off isn't changing, it's topping off evaporation. Also, I'm not one that agrees with small daily changes, as I like to use my water changes to dilute the things that contribute to algae, etc. So I do large biweekly changes, where I'm removing a fair volume of bad things.

But no, whatever method you use, top off isn't considered part of the change.

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Top off isn't changing, it's topping off evaporation. Also, I'm not one that agrees with small daily changes, as I like to use my water changes to dilute the things that contribute to algae, etc. So I do large biweekly changes, where I'm removing a fair volume of bad things.

But no, whatever method you use, top off isn't considered part of the change.

I do realize that top off is not changing but replacing, I just figured that it is new water, even if it has no essential elements, as I dose daily. I guess that leads me to ask.. Do/can nitrates, ammonia, phosphates leave with evaporated water . Do they build up or is there no change due to evaporation?

I understand your belief in larger changes, but after reading Randy Holmes article, it seems that it makes no difference if you do small daily or weekly larger water changes. I did larger ones in my 180, but had the same algae. I have not noticed any difference in doing small changes or larger ones yet.

[hillegom]

When water evaporates, only pure water leaves, its like distilling, leaves all the chemicals behind/salts/nitrates, etc

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by hillegom

When water evaporates, only pure water leaves, its like distilling, leaves all the chemicals behind/salts/nitrates, etc

That makes sense.
So I guess I add more to my daily changes and see if the algae is reduced. Geesh, that is like 14 gals of water everyday.

[Aquattro]

As far as I know, nothing but water evaporates. So top off is just returning to the previous state.

I haven't read Randy's stuff, it tends to take the fun out of this hobby for me. Apparently he likes adding Mg I'm happier doing large changes, and it's always worked, so it's what I do. I've seen nice tanks that do small daily, so I guess it can work fine. I dunno.

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

As far as I know, nothing but water evaporates. So top off is just returning to the previous state.

I haven't read Randy's stuff, it tends to take the fun out of this hobby for me. Apparently he likes adding Mg I'm happier doing large changes, and it's always worked, so it's what I do. I've seen nice tanks that do small daily, so I guess it can work fine. I dunno.

I guess that is what makes this hobby interesting, seeing how everyone does everything a little different and seeing the results.

I dose magnesium as my tank was always low. I use IO reef and my mag was around 1000, which messed up my ca and all levels.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefwithareefer

I dose magnesium as my tank was always low. I use IO reef and my mag was around 1000, which messed up my ca and all levels.

My levels were always 1050 forever, no issues with any other levels. The Internet convinced me to try it with my new tank, I see no change/benefit to adding it, other than relieving me of more money.

[reefwithareefer]

Maybe I will reconsider doing daily water changes. I just did a 55gal change yesterday and everything is looking way better today.

[canadianbudz604]

When I had my 10g nano a couple years ago I changed a cup of water everyday and the tabk thrived. Now I do 15% weekly and it seems to be working. I've got good growth from everything

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefwithareefer

Maybe I will reconsider doing daily water changes. I just did a 55gal change yesterday and everything is looking way better today.

That's the thing. Maybe Randy wrote a great article with math and theories and stuff, but the tank says something different when you do large regular water changes. There's just things we can't account for with this stuff, and generally good sized water changes make things happier.