[blue_eyes53813]

How much water changes you do depends on your livestock load and kinda whatever schedule you want to do... I do 10% everyother week so in your case you could change 5 gallons everyother week...You can do 20% everyother week @ 10 gallons each... or you could do 5 gallons every week...Its up to you but good maintenance will make a healthy tank..

To do a water change get a rubbermaid container -like around 20 gallon or more.... Try to use RO water.. put in amount of water that you are gonna do a water change 5 or 10 gallon... Add in 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water. put a powerhead and heater into container and let mix for 24 hours at the minimum... check salinity and temp in new mixed water before doing a water change... new water should should be as close as possible to the main tank... Take old water out of tank and add new......


I have a feeling your lfs was talking about NOT needing salt when water evaporates out of your main tank.. Everyday you will notice that your tank water will get lower.. The salt does not evaporate out of the tank with the water.. so it is important to check salinity everyday and add JUST water when evaporation occurs.. My tank will evaporate about 2 gallons a day do to fans blowing across the water or because the tank is open top... I have to add just water everyday to keep the salinity the same... The salinity will go up if you dont( top off- some reefers call it) the tank..


when you take water out for water changes- you are taking salt and water out of the tank....evaporation only takes water out of the tank...

I hope that makes sense..