WMAS Discussion Forum : Recycling used saltwater http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:41:23 +0000 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:38:39 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=69660 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : while I don&#039;t follow the...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=606403&title=recycling-used-saltwater#606403 Author: pgravis
Subject: 69660
Posted: January 19 2016 at 12:38pm

while I don't follow the method myself (actually the exact opposite in that I run continual water changes of 2 gallons a day), you should take a look at the Triton method of reefing.   It advocates doing no water changes at all.   It uses macro to pull out the pollution and has high accuracy tests to tell you what to replace.   There are some great tanks following this method.   ]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:38:39 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=606403&title=recycling-used-saltwater#606403 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : Mark Peterson wrote:My final...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=606371&title=recycling-used-saltwater#606371 Author: christhjesus
Subject: 69660
Posted: January 18 2016 at 9:16pm

Originally posted by Mark Peterson Mark Peterson wrote:



My final comment has to do with the components of salt water and what one very enterprising person did to make his own saltwater. It is the article in the current (Q1 2014) Reef Hobbyist Magazine titled A Flourishing Dutch Synthetic Reef
The magazine is free at many LFS. This is the cover.



Of course this post is just one man's opinion. Contrasting opinions are always welcomed.
Aloha,
Mark Hug


Thanks for the link to these, I have a bunch of reading to do now.

]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:16:11 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=606371&title=recycling-used-saltwater#606371 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : Thanks again all. Mark yes I would...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=556586&title=recycling-used-saltwater#556586 Author: laroc
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 27 2014 at 3:31pm

Thanks again all.
Mark yes I would like to stop by. You also pm me last week and said you would like to come and see my tanks( they multiply like rabbits). Maybe we could set something up this weekend. I will give you a text .
W/C scheduled for this weekend. If it is not broke don't fix it right guys. Might have to redesign the sump since picked up a awesome skimmer  a couple weeks ago. It looks a blown big block. Tim Allen would be proud.

WMAS best website ever!
]]> Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:31:37 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=556586&title=recycling-used-saltwater#556586 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : Just a side note. While there...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555216&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555216 Author: Dion Richins
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 16 2014 at 4:09pm

Just a side note. While there are a lot of additives to replace trace chemicals, You cant test for them. I would really rather do water changes and know 'Im good than completely pray and dose.
I do dose with kent's trace chemicals. But as I said I change 70g every 2 to 3 weeks.]]> Sun, 16 Feb 2014 16:09:28 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555216&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555216 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : My display is 90 gallons and my...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555140&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555140 Author: Softplan
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 15 2014 at 9:59pm

My display is 90 gallons and my sump is 75. I run activated carbon abit every 2 months. In my sump I only have chaeto, but would lie to add different types soon. I also have a protein skimmer.]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:59:42 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555140&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555140 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : Oh, I also use a major amount...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555120&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555120 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 15 2014 at 8:27pm

Oh, I also use a major amount of algae to clean the water, IMO, even better than the typical algae scrubber. I have about 10 types of red and green Macroalgae you might want to see and even to take home. BTW, I'm also in Murray.

Aloha,
Mark Hug
808-345-1049
750 E. Lakepoint Dr #4V

]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:27:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555120&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555120 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : Aloha,I agree with much that has...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555115&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555115 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 15 2014 at 8:05pm

Aloha,
I agree with much that has been said already. Sorry, I didn't intend to write a "dissertation", but I just got going and couldn't stop.Embarrassed
Originally posted by laroc laroc wrote:


  •  What is in the water that is removed?  I know that there would be phosphates, dissolved organics, ammonia,  nitrates and of course the Ca Alk Mg would be off... anything I'm missing?
  • Does the salt mixes we use go bad or breakdown over time?
Yours is a very common question. Over the years, many products and equipment have come into the hobby with the intention of doing just as you suggest. Most of them however are gone and forgotten. They didn't work.

Twenty years ago I(we) changed water because we needed to reduce the build up of pollution. The pollution was mostly the things you mentioned; the three Nitrogen compounds(Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate), Phosphates and other dissolved organic compounds.

Things are different today with what I see as three major advancements in knowledge and technology. 1) We learned how to set up a tank with a biological filtration process which completely decomposes the N pollution. 2) We also learned how algae growth absorbs N and PO4, as well as other dissolved organics. 3) After many designs that worked only marginally well, the development of the venturi driven skimmer changed everything.

Over the years, salt mixes improved to be better for coral growth. Gosh, in the day when I entered the hobby, keeping soft coral alive for a year was a real accomplishment. Stony coral was hardly even considered.

Everything has changed
Today we typically don't do regular water changes to reduce pollution. Instead, we do water changes to replace natural saltwater components that have been eaten/utilized by coral, clams, snails, algae, shrimp, bugs and worms. The salt in salt water does not change and essential elements found in salt water do not break down, but many of them just get depleted.

With the advancements of these last 20 years we have even discovered that water changes can be unnecessary during two critical situations.  1) After an unexpected tank mishap, well illuminated algae quickly reduces N pollution and Activated Carbon removes toxins, effectively eliminating the need for emergency water changes . 2) During tank set up the use of well illuminated algae practically eliminates the N cycle, so water changes are not needed for up to 3 months.

My final comment has to do with the components of salt water and what one very enterprising person did to make his own saltwater. It is the article in the current (Q1 2014) Reef Hobbyist Magazine titled A Flourishing Dutch Synthetic Reef
The magazine is free at many LFS. This is the cover.



Of course this post is just one man's opinion. Contrasting opinions are always welcomed.
Aloha,
Mark Hug


Edited by Mark Peterson - February 15 2014 at 8:19pm]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:05:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555115&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555115 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : I have went a really long time...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555008&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555008 Author: wickedsnowman
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 14 2014 at 11:09pm

I have went a really long time several months without a water change and didn't see a problem. I try to do 10% every few weeks though because I am a believer that there are trace elements that you cant test for. However there is a lot of companies starting to make trace elements that you can dose. So in theory I guess if u had good enough filtration through skimming and macro etc. and dosed everything you need. I am sure you could get a tank to stay looking great. I think water changes are so easy though so if it is not broken no need to fix it.]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2014 23:09:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=555008&title=recycling-used-saltwater#555008 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : I run a turf scrubber aka algae...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=554993&title=recycling-used-saltwater#554993 Author: LaRue
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 14 2014 at 9:58pm

I run a turf scrubber aka algae scrubber

Edited by LaRue - February 15 2014 at 5:54pm]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:58:49 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=554993&title=recycling-used-saltwater#554993 <![CDATA[Recycling used saltwater : The famous Dion .They make test...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=554988&title=recycling-used-saltwater#554988 Author: laroc
Subject: 69660
Posted: February 14 2014 at 9:26pm

The famous Dion .They make test kits for everything. Crap.  Bought a skimmer off a guy Pleasant Grove. There was a magnificent stand in the garage. Short story you do amazing work!

Haha Ahanix all about the picos. Have a 3g and 10g sumped together and 8g peppermint tank.

Softplan how big is tank(s)?

Thanks again all.

Anyone running algae scrubber?
]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:26:44 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69660&PID=554988&title=recycling-used-saltwater#554988