1st flowerhorn
- Thread starter Takimo
- Start date
20% a day is good but thats very tedious unless you have a drip system running, I advise a 50% water change a week. Easier on you and thats more than enough to keep your fh happy. I used to do 40% water changes every other day but i noticed no change in water quality and its just a pia and gets old after a week or two lol.
+1 but if u use gravel, like me. i vacuum their poop every two days, i do 70% water change every week.
Daily water changes? If you guys have the time for it. I prefer a gravel bottom in each of my tanks...preferably larger than what you have yet small enough for them to move around. I use them not just to decorate the tanks but to hide the waste produced and the added benefit of filtering the water. Along with a good filtration, I can go 2 weeks or more without water changes. From experience, I honestly think FHs prefer aged water.
On another note, 50%-70% water changes at any one time is too much. Again, with the aged water...too much new water can wash away protective coat on them. Just my thoughts.
On another note, 50%-70% water changes at any one time is too much. Again, with the aged water...too much new water can wash away protective coat on them. Just my thoughts.
You can do 100% water changes safely and it wont hurt the fish at all. As long as the water temp, ph match and of course the use of a water dechlorinator theres no harm done. The only harm is that it can stress the fish out but other than that it doesnt wash away their "slim" or hurt them at all.
I'll go with you on that 100% wc but I'd rather play it safe...difficult to match water chemistry with that much wc...not to mention the beneficial bacterial that's already developed in the filtration.
? Not sure what your saying. But what does beneficial bacteria that's already developed in the filtration mean? A 100% water change doesnt kill of any bacteria.
I'm talking about the beneficial bacteria that's in the filtration system and in the gravel that helps stabilize the aquatic environment...they sell these beneficial bacteria supplements. I'm no chemist but I'm just saying that with a big wc, the chemistry will certainly be affected if the new water isn't properly treated.
If the media stays wet whole time then there's no harm to the beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria sticks onto surfaces and will adjust to the parameters as decrease with less of a food source and increase with more food. I do 85% water changes all the time and never have ammonia or nitrite go up not even by .10 ppm and thats including draining the sump. The water doesnt have to be treated with bb at all for 100% water changes, you just have to keep the filter media wet during the water change and match the temp/ph then theres no foul done to the fish or the filtration. Many members such as my self do over 75% water changes and never get a cycle.
edit typooo lol
