Water changes question

[CACAdmin]

Never having had a s/w tank, but pondering the idea, a question about maintenance came to mind. Once the tank is established, does it require more maintenance than freshwater? I realize that it will vary depending upon stocking levels, etc. but as a general rule, do water changes need to be done more often? Or is the frequency similar to that of f/w tanks?

[thegrandpoohbah]

Depends on a number of things but in general smaller tanks should get a WC every week. You can go longer between WCs with larger tanks though. A good protein skimmer can allow you to get away with fewer WCs but I wouldn't count on it. So really, the frequency of tank maintenance is about the same but more planning and effort is required as you need to pre-mix the salt water a day in advance and bring it up to the correct temperature.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks, GP. So a though the frequency isn't really much different, the premixing a day in advance means waterchange stuff like buckets laying around for an extra day (which means for someone like me who lives in a bachelor suite, it's something to take into consideration).

[mixixe]

Did you ever get that tank set up? I don't premix my water and I do water changes about every month but I feed my tank very little. I do top up the water frequently so that salinity stays the same. I use to have a lot of nuisance algae b/c of the intensity of light and the amount of time I let the light stay one, but since I've added a refugium my algae has gone down and the corals are thriving. This the second time I've used a refugium in this tank, my tank crashed the first time I took a fuge out. I think the fuge makes a big difference in a SW tank. I made my own fuge with an Aqua clear filter. There are online tutorials on youtube. I hope you give it a try!

[CACAdmin]

Hi mixixe. Good to see you and thanks for the info. I haven't yet set up a s/w tank but it's something I may do in the next little while. I actually have emptied and cleaned out one of my tanks in preparation.... it's sitting empy while I debate whether or not to go that route... I guess you can say that's one step closer. :rolleyes:

[blainep]

Hi mixixe. Good to see you and thanks for the info. I haven't yet set up a s/w tank but it's something I may do in the next little while. I actually have emptied and cleaned out one of my tanks in preparation.... it's sitting empy while I debate whether or not to go that route... I guess you can say that's one step closer. :rolleyes:



Do it ! :yes:


I'll wait right here while you get things going and start a tank journal.

[CACAdmin]

Do it ! :yes:


I'll wait right here while you get things going and start a tank journal.
:laugh: I hope you're sitting in a chair in the fishroom so that you'll have something to do. It might take a while. :wink:

[xblade]

Do it ! :yes:.


+1 on that..

Sounds like ya got the itch..now scratch it. lol

Starting small is a great idea. Less expensive and a great way to get a handle on the SW side of things.

I try to do bi weekly water changes, and always pre mix my SW for at least 1 day
Maintenance is about the same, other than mixin up SW.