If your nitrate level goes from 10 ppm to 50 ppm within a week you might want to change more water so you won t have to change the water too often.
Saltwater aquarium water change frequency.
The most popular amount of water to change in a saltwater aquarium are 10 of the total water volume each week 20 every two weeks or 25 every month.
Let s say that your water tests show that you have 100.
If you are having algae issues or aquarium test results are showing high nitrate or phosphate then you need to increase the volume and frequency of the water change.
Floss change glass cleaning skimmer cup cleaning sand vacuuming etc.
When you change 20 of the water it causes a significant swing in water parameters.
In aquariums it s all about being consistent the more consistent the water is the better the species in the tank will be.
Let s take an example to see what a water change does for your tank.
The more fish you have the more water changes you will need to be performed.
The more frequent the water change is done the less water needs to be removed.
An aquarium water change should be performed every one to two weeks.
Planted aquariums can go longer without a water change sometimes up to a month.
Something worth noting is water change frequency is also based on tank characteristics.
It is recommended that the amount of water changed is from 10 50.
A good rule is to change 10 to 15 percent of the water each week.
So what does performing a partial water change on a saltwater aquarium accomplish.
So by doing a small water change the water parameter change is a small amount each time.
The more often you change the water the more stable the water is likely to stay and the cleaner your aquarium will be.
Water changes are performed to accomplish two goals.
If your test results come back with high nitrates it is time for a water change.
Dilute the bad stuff nitrates medications toxins and or increase the good stuff calcium iodine ph buffers in your tank water.
Don t change too much water.
Want to breakup the 10 to 15 percent water change over the course of a few days sure this is what i do in my nano tank small daily automatic water changes with smart awc.
That being said it is not just good enough to know your aquarium water should be changed.
You should do a routine water change one time every 1 to 2 weeks.
The frequency in water changes will be dependent on the bio load of your tank.