This is true to a certain point. However, the cycle is not perfect by any means and leaves some byproducts there are also non-toxic waste products and other fun chemistry that happens to tank water after a while.

Why having a complete system is essential for the health of the tank I would never suggest avoiding water changes altogether.

 

You can never go without water changes. The salt that you use to put in the tank has minerials that get used up by corals of all types. When you do water changes you are adding new elements in to the tank. Yes there are depris that is not picked up by the protien skimmer and it will collect in the tank. So doing a water change will get whatever the skimmer doesnt and also adds essential elements and minerials back into the tank from the new batch of water.

 

Already well answered. The thing to understand is that using a skimmer may help prolong your water change schedule. Without one I'd do a significant water change every other week, with one monthly. It allows for some degree of mistake by new tank owners. If a fish dies out of sight it will help keep the tank from crashing. They can skim out all that extra food new owners tend to over feed. Etc.. They do make life easier.

Buy good or don't buy at all.

Euroreef, ASM, Deltec are good brands that use the most current and energy saving techniques.

 

What I would like to add to the already included information is that much to the misconception of many marine aquarists, Protein Skimmers DO NOT remove nitrates from the water. They remove proteins, oils, and other dissolved organic compounds from the water that contribute to the build up of Nitrates.

There is however the option, commonly applied in the reefing community, of constructing a Sump with a Refugium chamber. Many marine aquarists grow various types of Macro Algaes in their refugium. These macro algaes do consume Nitrates from the water.

There is also the option of DSB (deep sand bed) in which anaerobic zones develop deep in the substrate where processing of Nitrates to nitrogen takes place.

Sadly, Water changes are still necessary for the purposes already stated.

 

I do not keep corals so could i go 2 months without a water chang.....its a 55g with 5 clownfish

 

oh and i know my blurb is very contradictory.

 

Consider this, would you like to swim in the same water for 2 months that you have eaten in & the same water as your body waste is :!:

I am sure not :shock:

 

I do not keep corals so could i go 2 months without a water chang.....its a 55g with 5 clownfish

no, you need to do a water change atleast once a month.

 

What I would like to add to the already included information is that much to the misconception of many marine aquarists, Protein Skimmers DO NOT remove nitrates from the water. They remove proteins, oils, and other dissolved organic compounds from the water that contribute to the build up of Nitrates.

There is however the option, commonly applied in the reefing community, of constructing a Sump with a Refugium chamber. Many marine aquarists grow various types of Macro Algaes in their refugium. These macro algaes do consume Nitrates from the water.

There is also the option of DSB (deep sand bed) in which anaerobic zones develop deep in the substrate where processing of Nitrates to nitrogen takes place.

Sadly, Water changes are still necessary for the purposes already stated.

Nice one because I have heard many new be's come to me and ask that are say someone has told them.

 

thanks guys for your help......i kind of already new that but i really wanted some feedback from people who no what they are talking about.