100 % Water change?

[Deathstar]

Hi guys,

I am going to be switching to RO/DI soon. I wanted to move everthing to my QT and do a 100% water change is that ok or am I going to cause a spike? I have done a 60% before but never thet much.

Thanks,

Eric

[Aquattro]

I wouldn't. Can't think of a good reason to do it at this point. Do a 50% and you'll be fine.

[TheReefGeek]

I agree, you want to keep some of your "mature" water.

I would do 20%-25% for 6-8 weeks then cut it back to the normal 10-15% per week.

[deep6er]

I agree, you want to keep some of your "mature" water.

I would do 20%-25% for 6-8 weeks then cut it back to the normal 10-15% per week.

I agree. If you did 100% you are going to kill alot of good bacteria. And i dont think you want that.

[Beverly]

The only reason I think it should not be done is that you will have to acclimatize ALL of your livestock to the new water's parameters. If you have the time and extra water to acclimate your livestock, I'd say go for it.

[Deathstar]

Just to let you know this is a fish only tank with nothing in it right now, but by the time I get my RO up and running there will be at least two fish in it.

No to sure if this makes a difference.

Thanks,

Eric

[TheReefGeek]

It does make a difference, just go ahead and do the 100% water change then if this is not an established system.

[Beverly]

Wait until you get the RO running, make the 100% water switch, then add the fish. That's the way I'd do it, anyway.

[TheReefGeek]

Yeppers.

[StirCrazy]

I have done 4 or 5 100% changes now (when I moved the tank or tore it down.) if you match your new water to your old waters peramiters then they shouldn't be any problem.. but if all you are doing is switching to RO water and that is the only reason why put your self through all that work.. do a 50% every week for a couple months (sounds like more work to me actualy :neutral: ) ya go with the 100% and match the Alk, PH, salinity and temp to your old water and go for it.

Steve

[Delphinus]

A fish-only tank with no fish?

Is the water foul? If not ... is there really a need for the water changeover?

I guess I'm more of the philosophy of "If it aint broke don't fix it". Unless you knew the water had issues, I'd be inclined to just start using RO as the top off and make future water changes with the RO, but wouldn't see a need to do a 100% changeout just because I was switching to RO.

Not knocking the 100% change though .. sometimes it's necessary.. But in this case I wouldn't automatically guess it would be necessary unless there are other factors to consider.

[Johnny Reefer]

Something doesn't jive here.
In one sentence you say you want to move everything to a QT tank.
In another sentence you say there is nothing in the tank.
Which is it?:confused:
If the "everything" you refer to moving is Live Rock and/or Live Sand and you plan on moving it back after the water change, then I would do a 50% water change....but then....why move "everything" in the first place?:confused:

Just some thoughts.

Cheers:smile:,

[McNasty]

There is no purpose in doing a 100% water change or even a 50 for that matter, if your tank has been running fine with np then just do a normal water change. Your substarte and rock will already be saturated with phospates and silica(think thats correct LOL) and doing a 100% water change will not change thos elvlv they will have to precipitate out over time.

[Matt]

A different sort of caution... make sure you break in your RO/DI well before you start this. The first fifteen gallons of water out of mine didn't taste very good.

Matt

[Deathstar]

I will just do a 50% change when I get my RO system on-line.

Sorry for not being clear I will have fish before I get the RO system, also I had fish in the tank last week.

Thanks,

Eric