HOW & When to CHANGE YOUR WATER - Beginner Saltwater Aquarium Build

In this episode, we review when and how to change your tank's water. We'll show you how to get your tank's nutrient levels in line by adjusting your tank's salinity, nitrates and phosphates, and add ease to the process by sharing our picks for a simple water changing kit.
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❤ Pro Tips
1. Change Your Water When:
- Nitrates are greater than 10 ppm
- Phosphates are greater than 1.0 ppm
- Salinity is less than 1.020 s.g. or greater than 1.027 s.g.
- Tank Emergency (Ammonia and/or Nitrites are greater than 0.25 ppm)
2. Once Salinity reaches 1.025 s.g., check the tank temperature and temperature of fresh saltwater. They should be within 5 degrees of each other.
3. Siphon out water.

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#saltwateraq #saltwateraquarium #budgetbuild

[jbob]

Love how you make beginners like me feel able to have a saltwater tank...

[haymatr]

even if i feel very comfortable now after 8months into the hobby with a mixed reef. i'll still watch these beginner level videos, no matter how many are made.

[RH_]

New to salt water fish keeping. Reviewed tons of videos to answer a stupid question on when I should do a water change. This is by far the best video. Thanks man

[stephenbouck]

I'm a saltwater vet and i wish this video series was out when i started! i got so much miss information and had to do a lot of trial and error to get where i am today and to say it definitely coast me more than it should is and understatement. Iv made my 16 yr old Nephew follow this series so he could learn the best way of setting up a simple yet very successful saltwater tank for the first time and lets just say hes having a blast!! keep the vids coming mark

[Hawaii_Gardens]

Hi Mark,
Great refresher for those of us who have been away from reef tanks for a while.
Things I'd like to hear you dig into:
1) What's available in protein skimmers and what you recommend
2) Kalkwasser dosing and reactors
3) Systems setup for monitoring level (minimum setup, standard setup and dream setup)
4) Lighting - anything better than LEDs or is that the only choice these days?
5) Circulation - how many pumps, wavemaking, gravity fed surges, etc
6) Thoughts about species (SPS, soft corals, reef fish)
7) Hidden systems room - setup of the hidden plumbing, best practices, etc
8) Plenum, live sand, bare bottom? (should be higher on this list)
9) Long term issues - salt creep, clogged pipes, hardware replacement
10) Thoughts on a larger setup - tank stands, aquarium types (glass/acrylic), size issues

Off the top of my head so probably missing some things, but really looking forward to your insights!

[roberthicks]

I haven't kept a salt tank in about 20 years. I remember a few things, but this series was a great refresher. Thanks!

[scottgleason]

I really appreciate this budget build that you are doing I have been wanting to do a saltwater for a long time you have broke it down to basics to the point I understand and I’m gonna give it a shot keep up the awesome work and thanks

[smallgallonreeftank]

It's quite easy do your home work and find out what works for you most of all don't rush into thing... Good luck

[Bubba-nineteen]

Don't have a salt water aquarium yet but really appreciate you making the kit and adding the link

[atfinthehouse]

Put a ball valve on that hose. Makes it even easier. 15-25% water change periodically. Remember to turn OFF your auto-top off when you are removing water. Remember to turn it on, AFTER the tank is refilled with new fresh saltwater. Try to stick with same salts all the time.

[skookumchuckreefer]

Thanks Mark, this easy to understand great information should help many people👍

[christierichardson]

Class, simple as. I have found a You Tuber to love NO1 👌 10 out of 10

[ishizismael]

First time watching ya on YouTube.. glad I ran into this video. Very helpful I will be starting a budget build my self very soon . Just want to have everything prepared before I do. Thanks for the tips !!

[mradams]

What’s the brand of that square heater you put in the bucket?
Thanks

[rosedonnapur]

I have some dechlorinate are thay all the same because I got some when I was setting up my tropical fish tank but I always do use shop bought waters can I use that in the marine tank or is it different

[matthewherandez]

This helped me out so much thanks subscribed!

[erikpacheco]

Do you turn off any pumps when doing water changes?

[billiebrazier]

Do you put the decloranator in the water first before the salt ???? In other words do you treat the water before adding the salt

[richardnation]

Is there a skimmer on budget build, or just filter? I have a 10 gallon tank. I have an aqua clear 30 gallon filter. I also have a 50 gallon, unopened, I was either going to keep as a spare or should i use the 30 gallon as the spare, and use 50? I dont know how much you should over size. I like the smaller size but I can fit more media in the 50, the 20 pumps 150 gpm and the 50 is 200 gpm. Is it necessary to have phosguard in it? I stared cycling with what came with it. a thick sponge and porous bio balls and carbon pack. I should have started with the purigan, and chemi pure elite and a poly filter. The expesive brand one people use. I did put a mix of matrix with my bioballs. I read purigan could slow cycling time. Should I just gradually switch pieces as to not loose my benficial bateria, if thats the case I should definitely use the 50 since it fits more media. But do u think it is necessary to oversize so much? How long should I wait to add a few corals? I have one fish now plan to get another soon the later a cleaner shrimp, can I add a few corals b4 the shrimp since there is a frag fest we are attending in a week from now, would that be to soon?

[Freedom-nuhe]

What about alkalinity and calcium levels being off?