Table of Contents
Why water changes are worthwhile?
Water changes in a saltwater aquarium are a key way to maintain a healthy, aesthetically pleasing environment for corals, fish, and other inhabitants. Regular water changes bring a variety of benefits that are worth considering more closely.
- Removing unwanted contaminants: Water changes effectively lower the concentration of various undesirable substances that can accumulate in the aquarium. These contaminants include:
- Metals and unwanted elements: Copper, zinc, aluminum, iron, and others may come from corroding elements, foods, or other sources.
- Nitrogen and Phosphorus: Their compounds, including nitrates and phosphates, often come from foods.
- Organic compounds: Toxins and metabolic byproducts that accumulate due to the activity of aquarium inhabitants.
- Restoring water to natural seawater levels: Water changes replenish minerals that may be depleted – macro- and microelements. These are often consumed in the process of building coral and coral algae skeletons. Regular changes allow for the maintenance of proper proportions of major ions, despite various processes occurring in the aquarium, such as calcification.
How often to do water changes in the aquarium?
Standard frequency: It is recommended to change about 10% of the water volume every week. Depending on other filtration system elements, they can be done less frequently.
When not to do water changes?
We don’t do water changes when the saltwater aquarium is immature, so as not to weaken the water’s biology. We don’t do water changes when we have dinoflagellates in the aquarium to avoid providing food for this organism.
Summary
Regular water changes in a saltwater aquarium are essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced environment for its inhabitants. They allow for the control and reduction of various pollutants, maintain proper levels of essential chemical components, and act as an effective and inexpensive filtration method. The appropriate frequency and volume of water changes depend on the individual conditions in each aquarium. Water changes are recommended for beginner aquarists.
About the author
Marek Protasewicz
Reefkeeping has been my passion for over 10 years now. I love learning. The hobby has taught me many valuable lessons, patience being the best example. Combining work and passion is my path. I run Crazy Coral, a marine aquarium shop, for a number of years. Building this business from the scratch I learnt from my own mistakes at a heavy cost.
Later I managed a project aimed at development of methods for quick growth of Corals in non-natural conditions. The project was carried out by Get Sales, Poland. Presently, I am responsible for distribution strategy at Reef Factory, of which I am a co-founder. The company produces smart devices for marine aquaristics. The last projects I have been involved in are Social Reef and ReefPedia.
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