Thinking about switching salt

[mac96]

How big a system is it?

There are a number of reefers who dose as a primary method, myself included. I always looked at the root cause of why are you changing the water? Then fix that problem.

I would encourage you to do it, but be smart. Go slowly, and have a solution for each problem, and a backup (which can be water change)

What specifically do you think is a risk? Read my 168 and my 300 journal to see what my two systems that don't rely on water changes with dosing look like. Then look at my 45, 35, and 120 to see what other tanks look like with minimal water changes, but also no dosing. Happy to answer any questions you have. Keep going, you are going to learn a lot.

It’s a 90-gallon tank, and mainly I just want to stay consistent with what I’m doing. I don’t want to change something and end up with problems again. I had a rough start when I first got into the hobby, and I definitely don’t want to go through that again . I just feel like any change is risky. At the same time, I’m trying to find a way to cut down or maybe even avoid water changes altogether just like Andyman. dosing and topping off with RO/DI. I’ll for sure take a look at your tanks. I know how some get rid of Phosphate but what about Nitrate how do you lower it without water changes?

 

[mac96]

Is there a specific reason you're wanting to back up on water changes?

I won't advocate for or against.

I personally do water changes weekly without fail on my 40gallon sps tank. Dose all for reef, and use esv 2 part and magnesium for adjustments. I use coral hub forbidden elixer to cover most of the traces.

Nem tank water change maybe every other week.

Frag tank, I've never done a water change since it's been running. I haven't done one in the 210gallon tank either yet.


I would say however if it's difficult, a hassle or a burden doing a water change on a tank maybe review the methods you use to preform the water change. Sometimes there is a better or more efficient way to do them. I spend 3 times longer mixing the salt and checking the salinity of the new water than actually changing the water.

The right pump and extra long hose can make it crazy easy. A saltwater mixing container on wheels could also make part of it easier roll the water closer to the tank.

Empty container on wheels to pump the water out that your replacing also makes part easy.


But nothing beats a super long hose and a pump to drain water and than refill the tank.

For refilling my ato resivors I have a 50 foot hose put the end of hose into resivors turn on pump. Right now it's a switch that turns it on and off. If I wanted easier I would consider a wifi outlet turn on and off with phone.

Sorry for rambling but if it's only because the work or time involved feel free to reach out and we can discuss your methods and figure out some ways to make things eaiser and efficient.

Tbh I want to make everything as efficient as possible and that’s why I want to cut back on water changes.Tbh for the water changes doesn’t take me that much time I made it really easy for myself to get it done, but I like to try new things and see how easy it can be or it can get.

 

[MichaelB]

Tbh I want to make everything as efficient as possible and that’s why I want to cut back on water changes.Tbh for the water changes doesn’t take me that much time I made it really easy for myself to get it done, but I like to try new things and see how easy it can be or it can get.

Sounds good, just be aware changes in a routine can cause some imbalances. You've been doing them regularly I gather not doing them could have some type of response. So Just be sure to keep a eye on things in general when making that transition. Most importantly is whatever you do be constant that helps keep things stable and not swing back and forth.

Some have been known to do larger water changes less frequently, with almost equal effect.

Lets Say I do 20% a week l, if I do a larger one %80 one once a month instead it could actually balance out in the end. Just find a routine that you can work with and kinda make it a mission to stick to it for the most part.

Those were only examples above.

There are definitely some that keep thriving and vibrant reef tanks with zero water changes and they make it work as well. Though they likely run icp tests regularly and dose individual traces. (A different way than most but they are constant with their approach)

On the flip side there or some who also claim they don't do water changes ever and meh their tank looks like ----- or it works for them right up until it doesn't. Things build up to a breaking point their tank goes south and they get overwhelmed and probably quit.

To be clear I'm not trying to steer you in any direction only encouraging you to find a method that you can and will keep constant with to keep things stable longer term.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

I’m trying to find a way to cut down or maybe even avoid water changes altogether just like Andyman. dosing and topping off with RO/DI.

I want to cut back on water changes.

I like to try new things and see how easy it can be or it can get.

Sounds like Reef Moonshiners would be what you are looking for than.

reefmoonshiners.com

Reef Moonshiner's

reefmoonshiners.com

 

[mac96]

Sounds good, just be aware changes in a routine can cause some imbalances. You've been doing them regularly I gather not doing them could have some type of response. So Just be sure to keep a eye on things in general when making that transition. Most importantly is whatever you do be constant that helps keep things stable and not swing back and forth.

Some have been known to do larger water changes less frequently, with almost equal effect.

Lets Say I do 20% a week l, if I do a larger one %80 one once a month instead it could actually balance out in the end. Just find a routine that you can work with and kinda make it a mission to stick to it for the most part.

Those were only examples above.

There are definitely some that keep thriving and vibrant reef tanks with zero water changes and they make it work as well. Though they likely run icp tests regularly and dose individual traces. (A different way than most but they are constant with their approach)

On the flip side there or some who also claim they don't do water changes ever and meh their tank looks like ----- or it works for them right up until it doesn't. Things build up to a breaking point their tank goes south and they get overwhelmed and probably quit.

To be clear I'm not trying to steer you in any direction only encouraging you to find a method that you can and will keep constant with to keep things stable longer term.

Thank you for the details response

 

[mac96]

Sounds like Reef Moonshiners would be what you are looking for than.

reefmoonshiners.com

Reef Moonshiner's

reefmoonshiners.com

Sounds good I’ll look into it thank you for the suggestion

 

[H2OPlayar]

It’s a 90-gallon tank, and mainly I just want to stay consistent with what I’m doing. I don’t want to change something and end up with problems again. I had a rough start when I first got into the hobby, and I definitely don’t want to go through that again . I just feel like any change is risky. At the same time, I’m trying to find a way to cut down or maybe even avoid water changes altogether just like Andyman. dosing and topping off with RO/DI. I’ll for sure take a look at your tanks. I know how some get rid of Phosphate but what about Nitrate how do you lower it without water changes?

I dose 6 things in my big tank.
1: Vodka for nitrates
2: LaCl for phosphates
3: Soda ash for alk, with one Balling trace added.
4: Calcium chloride for calcium with the other bottle of Balling trace elements.
5: BRS magnesium mixture
6: Salt free salt from Balling

You won't go through the trouble you had in the beginning because the system (your rock and substrate) is old and stable. You have over 100 gallons of system water including your sump, I'd go for it if you are willing to get 6 dosing pumps and a Trident. Lots of us do it with success. And you can always throw a water change in there to make you feel good or if you have some reason to. For me, it always comes down to the fact that fixing the problem is easier than diluting it out over 300+ gallons. On my 35, I would water change the problems away though, so scale matters.