water changes

[cfritz8770]

okay - now I'm confused about water changes -
I've read conflicting information
5-10% every week
20-30% monthly
what is the best way? and how much is too much necessitation the cycling process to begin again?
thanks you guys are a wealth of information!!!

 

[tiencvu]

Has your water been through cycling?
If yes then I would change 10% water every 2 weeeks.
I think 1 week is too soon and 1 month is too long.
Also, if you do water change once a month, it is a drastic change
and you could put stress on the fish and the nitrate could be high
and it is hard too bring it down.
For me, every 2 weeks 10% is good enough.

 

[007]

You know, it really depends on your individual system. While some advocate the monthly route, others go with the weekly route. But either way, if you notice that it amounts to close to 25% changed on a monthly basis.
I personally have tried both approaches and found that the water chemistry is more stable with frequent smaller water changes. I felt that the swapping of 25% at one time was too big an adjustment to make in a single event.
However this is not to say that 25% on a monthly basis will not work for your tank though. Try out both methods and see what works best for you.
Either way though, I think that 25% total volume changed in a single month, either at one time or in smaller intervals is the maximum that I would do to prevent disruption to the biological filter.

 

[cfritz8770]

Thanks

 

[beaslbob]

cfritz: I have not done regular water changes in both fresh and salt tanks since the late 70's. Longest running salt tank was for 6 years. I have found that by using tap water and lotsa plant life the system becomes a more complete ecosystem which requires much less maintenance.

 

[007]

Originally posted by beaslbob
cfritz: I have not done regular water changes in both fresh and salt tanks since the late 70's. Longest running salt tank was for 6 years. I have found that by using tap water and lotsa plant life the system becomes a more complete ecosystem which requires much less maintenance.
To anyone reading this: Take the advise given above with a grain of salt. While this method has worked for beaslbob in the past, it has been proven ineffective in many other systems for many other people. Not trying to knock bob here as I am aware that he has really taken a beating in the past for his recomendations, however it is hard to ignore the facts that using tap water and not doing water changes leads to an unsightly tank for many others.

 

[racenrich]

5 gallons a week has been working for me for about 10 yrs.
Easy to do, keeps water stable and also very good for your fish's overall heath.
Does not include weekly topoff. My topoff is about 3/4 gallon a day. I do this every other day. Which really gives me about 7-8 gallons a week of fresh H20.
Oh yeah i do this on my 90 and 55.
i think you'll have good sucess with this method.
Cheers.

 

[sheracr123]

I think it's just a personal preference on the water change issue. Most importantly.... USE RO/DI WATER!!!
I'm an advocate after learning by experience... can you tell???
Mendee