water changes
I'v just returned to reef keeping after 20 yrs absent! I purchased a 46g bowfront oceanic w 30g sump about 3m ago from a lady in Auburn. It has 4-6 deep sand bed. My question--How often to change water and what %. All the -*test*-('") are perfect. The corals are going crazy. Have had to get rid of one alredy--no space in tank! Don't know anything about fragging. The store in Yuba city that has a lg reef area and knowledgeable people say I don't need to change if it is working so well. Is that tru? Also would like to add a yellow head sand sifting goby and 2 convict blennies/engineer gobys. Good idea/bad idea? thanks for advice---I don't want to mess anything up! diana

Welcome back. My gereral rule for water changes is 25% once a month or 10% weekly or anything in between. Which ever one that you would be more consistent with. As far as not doing water changes because your water -*test*-('") out ok? Would you not change the oil in your car until it broke down? Many things become depleted in saltwater that are not practical to -*test*-('") for so dilluting your tank with new saltwater is in my opinion the best means of aquarium maintence. As far as the fish you were looking at, in my opinion they will disturb your deep sand bed too much. Try less agressive animals like cucumbers, hermit crabs, and conches.

yup jody pretty much nailed it on the w/c's and the stocking list. those are all fine sand stirring critters, although i would be leary of a cuke, and the hermits may take to snacking on snails. i have several happy hermits and not so many snails anymore. when i get my next cleanup crew it will be all snails and the hermits will be banned to the fuge.

:welcome: I normally do 25% bi-weekly and that seems to do me well. I add trace elements daily as well as Vit-C but other than that nothing crazy. :welcome:

I like the 5-10% weekly routine in my heavly stocked (meaning lot's of fish) tanks and 10-15% bi weekly on the lighter stocked tanks. The less water you change the less likely of a huge shift in tank prameters that's why I like the more often routine VS once a month. If you are in the Yuba city area stop by my store and we can chat. I love talking reef and helping new folks. 530-743-7373 Rob