[tcwoodrn]

I have a question that I'm sure has an obvious answer but I don't know it:

Is the only reason we change water in tanks to get rid of waste, ie nitrates/phosphates etc...? If that's the case is there any reason for me to change my water if my ammonia, nitrites, phosphates, and nitrates are all 0? I'm not trying to skip changes at all, but I've been doing 20% changes every 7-10 days and tested all my levels at 0 today (I was going to do a change). Is there a reason for me to change today?

I guess my main concern is that I am doing changes every 7-10, I have a ton of chaeto, I run carbon and phosphate, and I skim heavily, I hope I'm not taking too many nutrients out without replacing them.

 

[detour]

Water changes re-introduce "ideal" water with various trace elements back into the system, as well as help remove unwanted elements in the system.

You might consider a bit more time between water changes, but they really are a key maintenance item.


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[John]

you also add valuable trace elements back into the water column that are used by corals and fish.

 

[andrew.jones50]

Doing water changes with quality salt helps to maintain proper levels of trace elements in your system. I'm not talking calcium and magnesium, which are definitely important, but rather the other minerals found in natural sea water. If you're both skimming and using carbon, I wouldn't skip the water changes. Clean water is important, but providing your tank with the proper minerals and such is equally important IMO.

 

[andrew.jones50]

well i guess everybody is on the same train of thought... at the same time. lol

 

[tcwoodrn]

Learn something new every day. I'm going to re-aquascape tomorrow and I'll do a change after that d/t the stuff that gets stirred up. Then I'll consider going to every two weeks, I have to keep a really close eye on my levels because I stock I large bio-load in my tank and I want to make sure I don't let the waste build up.