Less water changes for Coral only systems?

[Anonymous]

I think the both of you would be interested in this study :wink:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/r ... /index.htm

I am already aware of Dr. Shimek's study (ies). And always find them very interesting.

Dr. Shimek took existing reef tanks and measured things in the water, skimmate, sand bed, macros, xenia and others. That process even with lab grade high precision and accuracy equipment does not measure the abililty of any of those to export or reduce any of the toxins. Therefore, no conclusions are possible about any of those. Especially when the tank water was measured at a different time from the rest.

By contrast the EPA or WHO study controlled copper to a test level and measured the copper uptake of the studied plant life under controlled conditions including time. Then varied the copper level to determine the relationship between uptake and filtering. Therefore one can draw valid scientific conclusions of how much copper uptake at what level of copper concentration and at what uptake rate. And use those conclusions to design systems to remove copper from the water column.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, reefnutz - good article.

beaslbob, do you treat your make up water before adding it?

Mitch

No. Not for initial setup water or makeup water. And haven't for 30 years in 1/2 dozen cities.

 

[krullulon]

Hey,
I'm one of those folks now!

COOL!

 

[middletonmark]

I think w/c are necessary due to the secondary metabolites, some toxic/harmful to other corals/inverts that all corals produce.

Given the huge # [ever seen a list?] of them, and their generally completely unstudied nature - I'm going with water changes.

On my SPS tank, the positive response wouldn't have me thinking about quitting.

And here I thought Adey's `mesocosm' system with no export but algae had been proven wrong repeatedly.

 

[waterfaller1]

So Beaslbob is here at RDO spouting his no water change/tapwater/plant life-does-it-all theory.... :roll:
What happened Bob..SWF got enough of you?
Here's the part I can't agree on.Ok..you set up a tank,with salt mix,water,and NEVER do water changes,nor do you dose your tank.
So what replenishes the elements that are in the salt mix Bob?Plants?No way.How many corals have ceased to exist in your care Bob?How many fish and inverts?

 

[Saltykirk]

To the originator of this thread, consider water changes to replace finding a skimmer for your nano tank. I operated my 33L w/o a skimmer w/ heavy coral load & 5 small fishes for a year w/o one. What kept my water in check & my corals looking good & growing was water changes. I would mop up detritus & change 3-5 gallons a week. Really hard. For anyone to make a statement that water changes are not needed is sorta nuts. Someone put in perfect words before, that an aquarium is a space suit, not a natural environment. Any artificial means to achieve healty animals is our responsiblity to the creatures we maintain. I have seen systems that were setup for "years" w/o water changes & maintainance & so far all I have seen have been lack luster assemblies deviod of a variety of life forms. One extra thing for your nano, try a warm water clam, not a tridacna but, like the kind you would eat. I have 3 in my 33Ls sump that has a 35 gallon sharing it. They have darn near shut down the skimmer on this tank. I have a 75 using 6 that has no skimmer & pretty clear water. I have to go change water on my 75 today, 15 gallons too. Hope my long post is helpful

 

[Anonymous]

Some get away without water changes, but most don't. Those that do get away with it often have large water volumes or very light bio load.

I recently was given a good argument for doing weekly water changes:
1) Its cheaper than a Ca reactor or other supplements
2) The tank water stays closer to freshly mixed water, so if you have to do a massive emergency water change you aren't shocking everything.

 

[Saltykirk]

those are pretty good reasons too. I have yet to see a tank that suffered from correctly done water changes. By correctly I mean, mixing to the same salinity & balancing the temp if needed. It is a good way to add elements back to the water that are depleted. In light of the report on salts, better quality salt can be desired to use but, how many fish are lost to proper changes as opposed to non-quarantine of new fishes, poor maintenance, bad filtration(aquaria & make up water) & lack of knowledge that comes w/ being a novice in this hobby? I think it is silly to arm the minds of new aquarists w/ a "it can be done cause I do it" attitude towards lack of water change. The percentage of people who have lost animals due to water change/metal build up are probably in Dr. Shimeks experience bracket as well. Someone who has a damsel & some clowns die after having them for 3 months doesn't need to think that salt toxicity might have killed them. Back to the original question, a 1 gal or 2 gal change through target siphon of detritus areas will bless you w/ a tank that all the non changing in the world will envy. Watch your frags grow!

 

[Anonymous]

I think the both of you would be interested in this study :wink:

That study is full of holes, but I think you know that.