Water changes

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by ReefOcean

Well put. I might add however, that we can know EXACLTY what our water is putting into the aquarium so logically, we can adjust for it.

Chemical/biological/mechanical filtration.

Logically yes, practically no. It's not as easy as you might think, IMO water changes will be easier and cheaper.

Like I said after the rhetorical question biological makes bio-products and chemical removes more than you might think.

If you're lazy you can make an auto water changing system pretty easy, completely automated if you have a conductivity controller. My formula is simple lazy+$=success not lazy=success.

[Lampshade]

If you ware using a calcium reactor how is it any different than natural seawater replacing minerals? The trace elements are in the media, since it is dead coral. If i was dosing i would be doing lots of water changes to reduce the "extra" elements you are adding with the 2 part mixes.

The way i see it is if you have a big enough balanced system(well cycled, 0 nitrates/phosphates) then all you're doing in a water change is taking out "live" water full of beneficial bacteria, and replacing it with "dead" water. Why don't we change live rock over time? In theory it should have the same degradation as the water and buildup of unwanted elements.

I'm not wanting to full out say they're bad, lots of people do them, lots don't. Just putting forward something smarter lazy/cheap reefing. I've tried both ways, found that my tank stayed more balanced when i didn't do them.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Lampshade

Why don't we change live rock over time? In theory it should have the same degradation as the water and buildup of unwanted elements.

.

For one, it's cost prohibitive. Two, you have to dismantle your tank. but yes, you probably should change rock every 5 years or so, should you actully keep a tank going that long.

[ReefOcean]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

For one, it's cost prohibitive. Two, you have to dismantle your tank. but yes, you probably should change rock every 5 years or so, should you actully keep a tank going that long.

Maybe change it every year? Shall I set a standard and spread it around like wildfire...

Change 10 percent of your rock once per year. Set in stone. No debating pls.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by ReefOcean

Maybe change it every year? Shall I set a standard and spread it around like wildfire...

Change 10 percent of your rock once per year. Set in stone. No debating pls.

Now you're just spouting off. Rock is known to accumulate nutrients over time, contributing to old tank syndrome, just like deep sand beds. I read it on the Internet.
Now it seems to me most, if not all of your questions have been answered, but you don't acknowledge them. We've been debating, and providing rebuttals to your comments (and poking doodles) all day long.

[ReefOcean]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Now you're just spouting off. Rock is known to accumulate nutrients over time, contributing to old tank syndrome, just like deep sand beds. I read it on the Internet.
Now it seems to me most, if not all of your questions have been answered, but you don't acknowledge them. We've been debating, and providing rebuttals to your comments (and poking doodles) all day long.

No, I am not spouting off. I am formulating "techniques" that become "requirements" the same way other reefers do. I am aware of the live rock situation, I am just creating "guidelines" to how to deal with it.


Yes, my question regarding if anybody else does it is answered. Which of course in NO. Why? Because that is what the've been taught by "beginners 101"....

[ReefOcean]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Logically yes, practically no. It's not as easy as you might think, IMO water changes will be easier and cheaper.

Like I said after the rhetorical question biological makes bio-products and chemical removes more than you might think.

If you're lazy you can make an auto water changing system pretty easy, completely automated if you have a conductivity controller. My formula is simple lazy+$=success not lazy=success.

How is dumping a capful of dose into the tank once a month less practical than mixing and lugging around buckets of water?

Liek I said, it started off as a matter of being lazy (or very busy) but now it is a matter of "why?" Why do it if I don't have to.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by ReefOcean

How is dumping a capful of dose into the tank once a month less practical than mixing and lugging around buckets of water?

Liek I said, it started off as a matter of being lazy (or very busy) but now it is a matter of "why?" Why do it if I don't have to.

Because you're only replenishing, what if a certain element isn't being used and you keep adding it, it will become a containment. Water changes not only replenish they also reduce the concentration is anything elevated above norm.

Like others have said it's up to the owner to decide what's best for them. Do some research away from unrepeatable sources claiming this and that and make a decision based on what your believe will produce the most success while keeping the efforts in your comfort zone.

Here's a general link worth reading:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

[ReefOcean]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Because you're only replenishing, what if a certain element isn't being used and you keep adding it, it will become a containment. Water changes not only replenish they also reduce the concentration is anything elevated above norm.

If you do a water change, are you not adding that element as well?

Like others have said it's up to the owner to decide what's best for them. Do some research away from unrepeatable sources claiming this and that and make a decision based on what your believe will produce the most success while keeping the efforts in your comfort zone.

Here is the thing. I did it myself. I didn't read about it and follow others. There was a decision making process. I weighed the negatives. I tested the parameters and monitored it. I kept the bioload low, and dosed accordingly.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by ReefOcean

If you do a water change, are you not adding that element as well?

Here is the thing. I did it myself. I didn't read about it and follow others. There was a decision making process. I weighed the negatives. I tested the parameters and monitored it. I kept the bioload low, and dosed accordingly.

Really?? not sure I can explain any better, read the link dude, you'll learn something. Until then you're just wasting everyone's time.