How often and how much WC on a RSM?

Mavjoy · 11-12-2008, 02:22 AM

I just did a 4 gallon WC on my 3 week old RSM for the first time. How much do you guys do and how often? I used to do a 2 gallon weekly WC on my 10 gallon and I want to do maybe a bi/tri weekly WC on my RSM. I'm using natural sea water at the moment. Check on my tank's thread on how much LS I have. Thanks.

BLAKEJOHN · 11-12-2008, 05:36 AM

With out a skimmer and the heavy bio-load from all your livestaock I would do at least 50% per week

Mavjoy · 11-12-2008, 11:47 AM

50% a week is a bit too much...I only got one fish and I don't feed too much. Thanks tho.

cbrownfish · 11-12-2008, 12:26 PM

Generally, 10-15% per week is pretty standard.

steveh · 11-12-2008, 12:58 PM

Personally I change approx 10% a week using RO water and Coral Pro. As I have added corals and as the coralline algae is growing I am finding it necessary to add Coral Buff every 2 days to maintain the alkalinity.

BLAKEJOHN · 11-12-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavjoy

50% a week is a bit too much...I only got one fish and I don't feed too much. Thanks tho.

Maybe just one fish, but every piece of coral produces waste too.
How is 50% a week too much? You may believe you don't need to change that much water. But I would sleep better with myself if I knew for sure I was removing plenty of nutrients and waste each week. And it dosn't hurt it any. Many of people have successfully keep reef tanks with minamal water changes and some rarely change thier water.

It just my opinion is all. There are no set rules in this hobby.

jenglish · 11-12-2008, 01:58 PM

I do a 25% weekly on a lightly stocked and heavily skimmed 30 gallon.... but I'm the cautious type and want the tank to eventually be fairly heavily stocked.

cbrownfish · 11-12-2008, 02:47 PM

A 50% water change is simply on the large side IMO. You have to remember that what makes our corals thrive above all else is consistency. Consistent parameters. A 50% change is risky and will potentially upset the ecosystem more than small frequent water changes. If I made an error when mixing and really used SW @ 1.020 SG, a 10% change will cause a minor issue. A 50% change could see my SG drop from 1.026 to 1.023 suddenly.

Most experts in this hobby recommend smaller, more frequent water changes and I subscribe to that way of thinking. It comes down to opinion....this is JMO.

Mavjoy · 11-12-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrownfish

A 50% water change is simply on the large side IMO. You have to remember that what makes our corals thrive above all else is consistency. Consistent parameters. A 50% change is risky and will potentially upset the ecosystem more than small frequent water changes. If I made an error when mixing and really used SW @ 1.020 SG, a 10% change will cause a minor issue. A 50% change could see my SG drop from 1.026 to 1.023 suddenly.

Most experts in this hobby recommend smaller, more frequent water changes and I subscribe to that way of thinking. It comes down to opinion....this is JMO.

Yeah, 10-15% weekly WC is a more reasonable amount. It's a matter of what's working for you kind of deal. If 50% is good for you then stick with it. I'm going with the 10% weekly 'cause it's economical and I think it will keep the system more stable. Thanks for all your suggestions.

steveh · 11-12-2008, 05:55 PM

This is one of these cool issues that has no right answer. For what its worth, my thinking is that consistency is very important providing you have good conditions to start with. It's the reason I am dosing supplements daily and not weekly, but you need the time to do it and it doesn't mean its the only way, nor does it guarantee success. If your filtration & skimming is of a good specification then why would you need to change 50%. I'm too lazy to be honest and my Max doesn't seem to need more than 10% weekly or fortnightly. I would be concerned about changing more than 10-20% a week mainly because (a)the risk of changing parameters, (b)I work hard and then there's a choice between a nice cold cider or changing some water.

doubleduece · 11-12-2008, 08:40 PM

The first year and a half, I changed water once a week like clock work. For the past six months I have been changing it every other week, and have noticed no change in my coral growth, I also dose calc once a day, and everthing else as needed....

doubleduece · 11-12-2008, 09:10 PM

BTW.. 5 gallons a water change for me

Reefmack · 11-12-2008, 09:47 PM

I'm like doubledeuce - for about 17-18 months I did a weekly 3-4 gallon change (~10%), but have gotten lazy lately and have been on a 2 week schedule once in a while, and nothing negative seen.

Mavjoy · 11-13-2008, 12:21 AM

doubleduece- 5 gallon sounds good
Reefmack- every 2 weeks is what I'm aiming for
mavjoy- 5 gallons every 2 weeks sounds like a winner to me
Thanks!

MatthewJ · 11-13-2008, 09:33 AM

3 gallons once a week for me.

11-12-2008, 02:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mavjoy Achilles Tang Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: san jose ca. Posts: 809 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	How often and how much WC on a RSM? I just did a 4 gallon WC on my 3 week old RSM for the first time. How much do you guys do and how often? I used to do a 2 gallon weekly WC on my 10 gallon and I want to do maybe a bi/tri weekly WC on my RSM. I'm using natural sea water at the moment. Check on my tank's thread on how much LS I have. Thanks. __________________ My RSM Tank..Oh Yeah! Tunze Nano skimmer, Outer Orbit 250hqi with 2x24 Ati Blue+ and 2x24 KZ Fiji Purple, Auto Top Off unit, Vortech MP40W, RKL Controller, 2X Drew's Dosing Pump http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...up-my-rsm.html What We Must Do Is Encourage A Sea Change In Attitude, One That Acknowledges We Are A Part Of The Living World, Not Apart From It......Dr. Sylvia Earle

11-12-2008, 05:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? With out a skimmer and the heavy bio-load from all your livestaock I would do at least 50% per week __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

11-12-2008, 11:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mavjoy Achilles Tang Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: san jose ca. Posts: 809 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? 50% a week is a bit too much...I only got one fish and I don't feed too much. Thanks tho. __________________ My RSM Tank..Oh Yeah! Tunze Nano skimmer, Outer Orbit 250hqi with 2x24 Ati Blue+ and 2x24 KZ Fiji Purple, Auto Top Off unit, Vortech MP40W, RKL Controller, 2X Drew's Dosing Pump http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...up-my-rsm.html What We Must Do Is Encourage A Sea Change In Attitude, One That Acknowledges We Are A Part Of The Living World, Not Apart From It......Dr. Sylvia Earle

11-12-2008, 12:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
cbrownfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,626 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? Generally, 10-15% per week is pretty standard. __________________ *Confucius Say: "best way to save face, is to keep lower part of face shut".* CURRENT SET UP -- 90 gallon display, 30 gallon refugium, 6 gallon pod breeder, 100 gallon sump (complete with frag rack), 2X250 MH 14K DE HQI, Vortech MP40w and Koralia #4 for flow, 2X Tunze 9010 Skimmers, Sequence Dart return, 2X Ranco Controllers w/Titanium Heaters, 150 lb LR (90 in display, 60 in sump), 5" DSB, Mixed reef - Softies, LPS, SPS, Clams.

11-12-2008, 12:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
steveh Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? Personally I change approx 10% a week using RO water and Coral Pro. As I have added corals and as the coralline algae is growing I am finding it necessary to add Coral Buff every 2 days to maintain the alkalinity.

11-12-2008, 01:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
jenglish Fire Coral Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 60 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? I do a 25% weekly on a lightly stocked and heavily skimmed 30 gallon.... but I'm the cautious type and want the tank to eventually be fairly heavily stocked.

11-12-2008, 02:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
cbrownfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,626 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? A 50% water change is simply on the large side IMO. You have to remember that what makes our corals thrive above all else is consistency. Consistent parameters. A 50% change is risky and will potentially upset the ecosystem more than small frequent water changes. If I made an error when mixing and really used SW @ 1.020 SG, a 10% change will cause a minor issue. A 50% change could see my SG drop from 1.026 to 1.023 suddenly. Most experts in this hobby recommend smaller, more frequent water changes and I subscribe to that way of thinking. It comes down to opinion....this is JMO. __________________ *Confucius Say: "best way to save face, is to keep lower part of face shut".* CURRENT SET UP -- 90 gallon display, 30 gallon refugium, 6 gallon pod breeder, 100 gallon sump (complete with frag rack), 2X250 MH 14K DE HQI, Vortech MP40w and Koralia #4 for flow, 2X Tunze 9010 Skimmers, Sequence Dart return, 2X Ranco Controllers w/Titanium Heaters, 150 lb LR (90 in display, 60 in sump), 5" DSB, Mixed reef - Softies, LPS, SPS, Clams.

11-12-2008, 05:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
steveh Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? This is one of these cool issues that has no right answer. For what its worth, my thinking is that consistency is very important providing you have good conditions to start with. It's the reason I am dosing supplements daily and not weekly, but you need the time to do it and it doesn't mean its the only way, nor does it guarantee success. If your filtration & skimming is of a good specification then why would you need to change 50%. I'm too lazy to be honest and my Max doesn't seem to need more than 10% weekly or fortnightly. I would be concerned about changing more than 10-20% a week mainly because (a)the risk of changing parameters, (b)I work hard and then there's a choice between a nice cold cider or changing some water.

11-12-2008, 08:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
doubleduece Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: VirginiaBeach,VA Posts: 86 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? The first year and a half, I changed water once a week like clock work. For the past six months I have been changing it every other week, and have noticed no change in my coral growth, I also dose calc once a day, and everthing else as needed....

11-12-2008, 09:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
doubleduece Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: VirginiaBeach,VA Posts: 86 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? BTW.. 5 gallons a water change for me

11-12-2008, 09:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,156 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? I'm like doubledeuce - for about 17-18 months I did a weekly 3-4 gallon change (~10%), but have gotten lazy lately and have been on a 2 week schedule once in a while, and nothing negative seen. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

11-13-2008, 12:21 AM	#14 (permalink)
Mavjoy Achilles Tang Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: san jose ca. Posts: 809 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? doubleduece- 5 gallon sounds good Reefmack- every 2 weeks is what I'm aiming for mavjoy- 5 gallons every 2 weeks sounds like a winner to me Thanks! __________________ My RSM Tank..Oh Yeah! Tunze Nano skimmer, Outer Orbit 250hqi with 2x24 Ati Blue+ and 2x24 KZ Fiji Purple, Auto Top Off unit, Vortech MP40W, RKL Controller, 2X Drew's Dosing Pump http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...up-my-rsm.html What We Must Do Is Encourage A Sea Change In Attitude, One That Acknowledges We Are A Part Of The Living World, Not Apart From It......Dr. Sylvia Earle

11-13-2008, 09:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
MatthewJ Cabbage Leather Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 372 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How often and how much WC on a RSM? 3 gallons once a week for me.

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