well i didnt really ask for your personal prefence, i was just asking if MY system was flawled. I see so many ppl saying there to lazy to do the frequent changes, and here your doing 50% daily on your tanks? to each his own...
7% bidaily - Testing the Water Change theory... please give this judgment
- Thread starter landmineyouth
- Start date
My point is that I think your system is flawed because your water changes are too small. But getting back on topic, more frequent water changes are much better because you have a chance to siphon out detritus before it breaks down into the water column and causes problems. So you will see better water quality, but I'd attribute it to the siphoning of waste rather than actual water volume exchange.
Here is a great little article that talks about water changes.
Here is a great little article that talks about water changes.
Sounds like an interesting theory. Keep us posted on everything. Me...I admit that I may not have time to do a weekly water change or a bi-weekly water change. But when I do change my water (because it's usually once every 6 weeks), I do about a 30% to 50% water change. I guess depending on the species as well determines how it'll take the stress.
the tank is looking very clear and fish seem more happy and active, plant growth even seems better, overall everything seems more healthy, maybe im imagining it, but so far so good!
Sounds like a very good idea but who has the time to do water changes every second day. I get stressed for time and I only do weekly changes. Good on you if you can keep it upand good for your fish.
only 2 downfalls i can see is the loss of nitrates if you have a planted tank and the fact that small changes every day over a week isnt a 100% water change you are actually going to be removing clean water from the first change on the second day. and so on and so forth so at the end of the week the amount you remove may only be as little as 15% of the amount will be waste water. i cant be arsed to do the math's but i would think you'd actually make all that effort and end up only really changing about 35% of the waste water. personally i prefer to carry out a 30% water change weekly on all of my tanks and my chemistry, disease and fish loss counts are flawless
Water changes are also dependent on your bio load . If you have a high bio load then 7% is not going to cut it. If its really light , then 7% might be viable.
Its best to get a test kit and find out how your nitrates , ammonia and if ph (if stable ) and then decide how much water change you have to do to keep your water parameters as close to perfect as possible.
As for large water changes stressing out a fish, if your tap is close to tank params in terms of ph , then it shouldnt be an issue. I do 50 up to 75% water changes every 3 days and my fish dont have the slightest idea of whats going on except for the water going down .
For losing the nitrifying or "good" bacteria with large water changes, most of the good bacteria reside in the substrate and most specially in your filtration system; not in the water.
But i like the idea of storing the water first in containers rather than straight from tap. The water would have already gassed out and dissipated chrlorine. Still need to treat for chloramine though.
Its best to get a test kit and find out how your nitrates , ammonia and if ph (if stable ) and then decide how much water change you have to do to keep your water parameters as close to perfect as possible.
As for large water changes stressing out a fish, if your tap is close to tank params in terms of ph , then it shouldnt be an issue. I do 50 up to 75% water changes every 3 days and my fish dont have the slightest idea of whats going on except for the water going down .
For losing the nitrifying or "good" bacteria with large water changes, most of the good bacteria reside in the substrate and most specially in your filtration system; not in the water.
But i like the idea of storing the water first in containers rather than straight from tap. The water would have already gassed out and dissipated chrlorine. Still need to treat for chloramine though.
danny boy said:
Agree on that. But i still wouldnt take chances and put water treatment on it specially if you keep sensitive fish such as rays. Or if you tap has chloramines which
do not dissipate at all without use of chemical treatment.
