100% water change good or bad?
- Thread starter The Real 118
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I was going to add, that years of experience mean nothing, when you have been doing it wrong the whole time. Even if everyone you know does it wrong, it does not make it right. I have had a tank since '86...I have been keeping fish properly since about '98. I have known all there is to know, never....
So to move away from the debate on 100% water changes and to better help the OP…
aqueon 55 = 325 gph HOB
aqueon 55 = 325 gph HOB
top fin 20 = 100 gph HOB
This gives him a (rated) turnover of 750 gph... which gives him a (rated) 13.6 times turnover per hour...
So criticizing the filtration isn't a very logical approach. Sure there are better brands of HOBs on the market... and sure HOBs aren't the highest tech forms of filtration... but it is still sufficient filtration for a 55 gal tank...
Doing regular (weekly is ideal) water changes makes a world of difference at keeping a tank clean. No filtration will remove every speck of waste/debris, especially in a tank with gravel. Water Changes also (more importantly) remove nitrates which will build up as the bacteria breaks down the fish’s waste. So keep up on regular water changes and gravel Vacs to avoid getting into this situation again…
So where are you at now? Have you done the large water change and gravel Vac? Did you test your water and compare the tap water to the tank’s water? What were the results?
I’d personally love to see this thread get back on track of helping the OP take constructive steps towards helping his fish and get away from the previous debate we’ve been having…
The Real 118;3242317; said:
aqueon 55 = 325 gph HOB
aqueon 55 = 325 gph HOB
top fin 20 = 100 gph HOB
This gives him a (rated) turnover of 750 gph... which gives him a (rated) 13.6 times turnover per hour...
So criticizing the filtration isn't a very logical approach. Sure there are better brands of HOBs on the market... and sure HOBs aren't the highest tech forms of filtration... but it is still sufficient filtration for a 55 gal tank...
Doing regular (weekly is ideal) water changes makes a world of difference at keeping a tank clean. No filtration will remove every speck of waste/debris, especially in a tank with gravel. Water Changes also (more importantly) remove nitrates which will build up as the bacteria breaks down the fish’s waste. So keep up on regular water changes and gravel Vacs to avoid getting into this situation again…
The Real 118;3243251; said:
So where are you at now? Have you done the large water change and gravel Vac? Did you test your water and compare the tap water to the tank’s water? What were the results?
I’d personally love to see this thread get back on track of helping the OP take constructive steps towards helping his fish and get away from the previous debate we’ve been having…
I am cleaning this thread and please, folks, try your best to stay on topic. Derails always lead to closure and might I remind you that no matter what your opinion is, it is up to some members to choose whether to believe that or not. If they choose to ignore the facts and logic, then leave them be. It's their problem if issues arise for failing to listen to common sense. 'Tis that simple.
Yanbbrox;3245538; said:
Whats bad? Doing 100% water changes? if so why? It has been explained in many posts in this thread that giving short answers without sharing the logic in which you based your opinion on is worthless People continually doing this is preventing the thread from moving on without the constant influx of misinformation
Just saying it is bad is too short of an answer to be correct as is saying it is fine As repeatedly pointed out, the fact (not opinion) is that if proper precautions are taken, there is no harm in doing a 100% water change
I feel like a broken record here but as the same misinformation is being promoted on every page some people obviously need to see it again
As for being on topic this entire thread has been an ongoing debate about doing 100% water changes and the risks/precautions of doing so Its the most on topic 10 page thread Ive ever seen
just feed less, clean the food before you feed. get a larger tank, less fish, more filtration and a gravel vac and do 40% water changes every week. To much water change can put your fish into shock. The new water will have different levels then the old. ph, hardness, temp. What are you readings on your water? nitrate, nitrite, ammonia? If they are good then don't worry. it would be cosmetic only.
seangtat2kc;3245569; said:
Too much fresh water will not put your fish into shock... that part is simply not true...
The new water might have different levels (not will have). Testing the new/old water is important, and if they are in fact different then doing a 100% water change is not a good idea. Instead the new waters levels should be altered to match the tank... or smaller water changes should be done to make the tank slowly match the new water (I suggest the second method).
If water levels are the same, then simply make sure your temp matches, add a proper amount of dechlorinator and change as much water as you like
Saying "it will shock the fish" or "it will be different" is making an assumption that puts limits on your options. I believe in increasing our options in life, not limiting them...
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