water change?
- Thread starter jmw
- Start date
zanoshanox
Active Member
I would say 10-25 % weekly, or whenever necesary to maintain good water quality.
diane4
Member
This topic will bring about MANY opinions and there is no one perfect answer because every tank and it's inhabitants and the husbandry varies.
My views on the matter is, the more water changes you do, the better the fish seem and I think feel. It keeps the water params regular, it cleans out any uneaten food and it is like a breath of fresh air.
I run 3 saltwater tanks. And the ONLY thing that keeps me from doing BIGGER water changes is the cost of salt mix and how long it takes to make up R/O water.
But, this is what I do.
120 gallon saltwater fish only with live rock, I do about 30% every 2 weeks.
90 gallon saltwater fish only with live rock, I do about 40% every 2 weeks.
75 gallon reef, I do about 60% every two weeks.
There is NO question that my fish and animals thrive with regular and decently sized water changes. If I only knew of a way to get R/O water to produce faster, I would. The 42 gallon trash cans in the middle of my kitchen tying up the sink making ro water is a killer. But, I can't afford to do all the plumbing to route the plumbing and r/o making to the basement.
Water changes in my book are the most important thing you should do.
I have heard the various arguments against big water changes or any weekly change more than 10%. And here are my thoughts on the comment.
1-it disturbes the natural cycle balance in the tank
.....That hasn't been my findings and certainly when you have an established tank.
2-It stresses the fish.
.....Hogwash. They are a little stressed with the cleaning and kick up of any dirt or detritus, but that is the whole purpose of cleaning the tank, remove the junk and replace with clean water - helps them breath easier. And some fish don't mind at all. In fact, when you do the water changes often and you talk to your fish as you work, they begin to recognise when it's water change time and they are ok. My fish love water change, espeically the next day. In fact, when I return water to my reef tank, I let some of the fresh water current go over the tentacles and oral disc of my anemones. Some like it, some don't. I have 1 that just love water change.
3-It isn't necessary and if you need to change water more often, you are probably overfeeding.
......Again, I think it is the reverse. I think some people feed very sparingly and probably not enough so they keep the water cleaner and they don't have to spend the money to buy salt, make it up, test it etc and do the work. To me, it is like feeding and bathing a baby. Feed what they consume and nothing more, and clean up after them when they eat. And bath to keep clean. Basic logical common sense.
Now...do I sound like someone that believes that fish and tank animals thrive on water changes.
My fresh water tanks, I do bi-weekly water changes of about 60%. They love water change time.
I am not criticizing folks that do only 5-10% every week, or other week or once a month. Some claim they never do it. If it works for them, great. But for me, I will always believe in water changes as a basic required staple of fish and reef care.
I think the ultimate answer to your question is, it depends upon what your feeding habbits are, what animals you are keeping, and how diligent you are in testing water in the tank. The most important tool I use, is to watch how my animals look. If they look a bit drab or not looking happy, I do a water change. It almost always picks them up.
My views on the matter is, the more water changes you do, the better the fish seem and I think feel. It keeps the water params regular, it cleans out any uneaten food and it is like a breath of fresh air.
I run 3 saltwater tanks. And the ONLY thing that keeps me from doing BIGGER water changes is the cost of salt mix and how long it takes to make up R/O water.
But, this is what I do.
120 gallon saltwater fish only with live rock, I do about 30% every 2 weeks.
90 gallon saltwater fish only with live rock, I do about 40% every 2 weeks.
75 gallon reef, I do about 60% every two weeks.
There is NO question that my fish and animals thrive with regular and decently sized water changes. If I only knew of a way to get R/O water to produce faster, I would. The 42 gallon trash cans in the middle of my kitchen tying up the sink making ro water is a killer. But, I can't afford to do all the plumbing to route the plumbing and r/o making to the basement.
Water changes in my book are the most important thing you should do.
I have heard the various arguments against big water changes or any weekly change more than 10%. And here are my thoughts on the comment.
1-it disturbes the natural cycle balance in the tank
.....That hasn't been my findings and certainly when you have an established tank.
2-It stresses the fish.
.....Hogwash. They are a little stressed with the cleaning and kick up of any dirt or detritus, but that is the whole purpose of cleaning the tank, remove the junk and replace with clean water - helps them breath easier. And some fish don't mind at all. In fact, when you do the water changes often and you talk to your fish as you work, they begin to recognise when it's water change time and they are ok. My fish love water change, espeically the next day. In fact, when I return water to my reef tank, I let some of the fresh water current go over the tentacles and oral disc of my anemones. Some like it, some don't. I have 1 that just love water change.
3-It isn't necessary and if you need to change water more often, you are probably overfeeding.
......Again, I think it is the reverse. I think some people feed very sparingly and probably not enough so they keep the water cleaner and they don't have to spend the money to buy salt, make it up, test it etc and do the work. To me, it is like feeding and bathing a baby. Feed what they consume and nothing more, and clean up after them when they eat. And bath to keep clean. Basic logical common sense.
Now...do I sound like someone that believes that fish and tank animals thrive on water changes.
My fresh water tanks, I do bi-weekly water changes of about 60%. They love water change time.
I am not criticizing folks that do only 5-10% every week, or other week or once a month. Some claim they never do it. If it works for them, great. But for me, I will always believe in water changes as a basic required staple of fish and reef care.
I think the ultimate answer to your question is, it depends upon what your feeding habbits are, what animals you are keeping, and how diligent you are in testing water in the tank. The most important tool I use, is to watch how my animals look. If they look a bit drab or not looking happy, I do a water change. It almost always picks them up.