Kevinmc Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Hey, Is there a common rule of the saltwater thumb on how often, or how much of a water change to do for a 90 GAL w/ 45 GAL Sump/Refugium? So far I have not had a problem with water params. in the past 4-6 week of my tank being set-up. I have several filter feeders, more then fish, and a bang-up clean-up crew that are staying right on top of things. My skimmer is working and not pulling hardly anything out. My refugium is full of cheato, and other micro-alge. This is very early in the game I know, but besides the green hair alge and the red hair alge I have only had patches of brown on my live sand bed weeks ago. but now the emarald crabs and blue leg hermits have eaten all of that. Should I then do a 10% - 20% water change or what? My flame scallops ( I know, don't have flame scallops) are doing awesome, the color is bright and they have taken up shop in their own territory and move from place to place every few to several days. I also have (1) green carpet and (4) bubble tips and that are very happy and are feeding most of the time. I just hate to play with it too much and screw things up. Thanks in advance Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Rule of thumb is 10-20% a week. I think that most would call green hair algae "a problem" and it is caused by having too many nutrients in the tank. So you either have phosphates or nitrates that are built up in your tank. Water changes dilute both of these nutrients. Most people find it difficult to keep anemones alive before their tank is 6 months old. Bubble tips are a lot easier to keep than carpets. Watch them carefully for any signs of shrinking or decay. Having them "ball up" for a day or two is normal, but keep a close watch on them anyway. Make sure you read this link http://www.karensroseanemones.com/ for good information on how to care for anemones. Good luck dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Yeah I would say 10-20% a week is the norm. Some thou will argue with you about that and say that other things figure in to it and smaller/less WCs can be made. But since you are new I say stay with the 10-20% rule EVERY WEEK. This will also help you make up for any over feeding or other minor mistakes that can lead to larger problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I would always do MORE than necessary to start and you can always back down, on a larger SPS dominant I do 10% per week and have in the last few months backed it down to every other week after 2 years of once a week. On my smaller soft coral tank I do 25% per month as these corals are not as sensitive to changes and can tolerate water of less quality. Each tank would be different just remember more is better and you will find the right choice, all dependant on many things, like nitrates, purity of water, load and many many other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I've let it slide to about once a month (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Nyles and Andy are showing that they have become very use to their tanks and can tell when things aren't right and so on. But like I said since you are new and until you become more accustom to what is going on with your tank, which will take time. I say stick with the weekly WC's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Absolutely! Once a month is a sign that I'm a slacker and my tank is forgiving. Weekly is the way to go, *particularly* for a maturing tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I have a 90 and also a 20 or 30 gallon sump and when I do the WC I just do about 25 to 30 gallons. I also just do in monthly as it is easier that way. Tank has been running for about 6 months maybe longer and everything is doing great. SPS are even growing. Good luck with the set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Ugh you guys kill me!!! I do 15gal a week regularly. Thats dedication baby!!!!!! (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 You might have good water now. But your tank is still very "young". I would say do a water change of about 10% every other week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Pull out some of the cheato as it grows. If you can take the rocks out that have hair on them and scrub them up well. Use the water your taking out of the tank to give them the scrubbing then toss out. I did 1/3 changes every 6 weeks, but that was after several years. Do your 20%change a week till you get the hair gone. In 6 months you can back off. Don't push it. If I read correctly, your just a couple months setup. Be patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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