New fish when do i start skimming??
- Thread starter boggs
- Start date
I have never heard that... 10 percent weekly is perfectly fine for a reef tank, especially one with a low bioload. If i had an agressive reef or a very high bioload, then 20% would probably be more recomended. 20% isnt always bad, but the 12.5 there is good too
In my old 40, i did 5 gallons which is 12.5%. Of course, there are other factors to include such as if you have a sump or tons of LR, ect...
I had the opportunity to speak with Anthony Calfo about it at a local meeting. He's a proponent of 100% changes especially in a growout system but for the average hobbyist he recommended weekly 20%. I've read countless articles that suggest the same regimen. I do weekly 25% changes on my system to maintain trace levels and to remove the tannins that discolor the water. Even after only a week if I look down into the bucket it is obviously discolored. All the money you spend on lighting is being wasted if your water isn't clear, not to mention the power it takes to run them! Even with regular changes I have to dose Ca and Alk to replace what is used. I wish I could get away with 10% water changes! If it works for you, GREAT! In a fish only or softy tank that is lightly stocked I doubt it will make much difference because your elements aren't depleted as fast. Add a large stocklist or SPS to the mix and you'll see your problems magnified.
Well I'm sure Calfo and Bourneman get a kick out of talking together and cover how Bourneman often goes weeks even months without a change. There are so many ways to approach this hobbby and there are just as many reputable sources that say 10% is acceptable and I still feel the original poster's 12.5% change is a good weekly routine.
That is what I absolutely love about this hobby.. There are so many ways of doing things, such diversity in both the theoretical and practical approaches to how we implement things within our aquariums. The key to everything that we do is stability within our tanks. I'll never say that what one person is doing is wrong as long as they are maintaining a healthy and vibrant system.
As of this point we have a lot of information that contradicts each other and we have to weed through these thoughts and ideas and make heads and tails of the research. There is a system on this forum that has gone at least 200+ days without a water change, has no skimmer and is litterally flourishing.
But debate is a good thing as long as we remember that the science hasn't been written in stone and we are just scratching the surface.
As of this point we have a lot of information that contradicts each other and we have to weed through these thoughts and ideas and make heads and tails of the research. There is a system on this forum that has gone at least 200+ days without a water change, has no skimmer and is litterally flourishing.
But debate is a good thing as long as we remember that the science hasn't been written in stone and we are just scratching the surface.
he also recomends NO florecents to keep BTAs. not saying he doesnt know what he is talking about in the LEAST. just saying i dont entirely agree... like with those 100% water changes. it would be MUCH better in growout systems where live rock or sand isnt always used and there isnt a hige bioload as long as it is done often, but i think it would be nothing but detrimental otherwise. 20% a week is perfectly fine, just saying that 10% is usually the average of what is considered suitable. i will prbably start doing 20 on my 10 gallon just to help keep up with the Ca and ALK demand so i dont have to dose a billion times a day.
PS: i also disagree with bourneman there... haha
My tank is a fowlr i got 22lbs of lr and 30lbs of base rock, I have a hob filter with lr rubble and a carbon bag. Only one fish now. But im going to get 2 small clowns this weekend if lfs has any in stock.
Link? I'd love to see this tank and get some insight in regards to his/her husbandry practices and stocking.
sure here you go..
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116699&page=5
The users name is noskimmer. He does have a low fish bio-load.
