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Paendora · 03-19-2006, 12:35 PM

When to start water changes on a new tank? and...forgive my innocence, just how to go about it?

My tank is a month old tomorrow. One LFS says wait 2 mths, the other says I should have put in a sump and only do changes every 6 mths. My tropical tank gets a 20% water change like clockwork every month.

My tests, and those of two different LFS, show my water to be doing exceptional. 1.023 salinity, 0 Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. varying 8.0-8.5 Ph,...overall very happy with the water.

There's stuff I've read that talks about cleaning the substrate, etc. When I do my tropical tank, I use a siphon vacuum, and then add fresh water about the same temp as what came out.

Do I use a similar siphon for my reef tank? Do I need to disturb the sand at all? I don't want to lose my LS up the vacuum. How critical is the temp of the water I'm adding back in? Suggestions on getting my saltwater up to 79 degrees? I'll be buying my premixed water from across town.

Thanks for all the help - luvin' the info on this board!

03-19-2006, 12:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Paendora Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 24 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Changes When to start water changes on a new tank? and...forgive my innocence, just how to go about it? My tank is a month old tomorrow. One LFS says wait 2 mths, the other says I should have put in a sump and only do changes every 6 mths. My tropical tank gets a 20% water change like clockwork every month. My tests, and those of two different LFS, show my water to be doing exceptional. 1.023 salinity, 0 Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. varying 8.0-8.5 Ph,...overall very happy with the water. There's stuff I've read that talks about cleaning the substrate, etc. When I do my tropical tank, I use a siphon vacuum, and then add fresh water about the same temp as what came out. Do I use a similar siphon for my reef tank? Do I need to disturb the sand at all? I don't want to lose my LS up the vacuum. How critical is the temp of the water I'm adding back in? Suggestions on getting my saltwater up to 79 degrees? I'll be buying my premixed water from across town. Thanks for all the help - luvin' the info on this board! __________________ ___________________ Susan 75 gal reef tank started up Feb 2006 85 lbs live rock, 8 fish, growing collection of corals and 2 teenagers that make saltwater stuff seem easy!