75% Water Changes OK?

[Natalie]

I've always heard that 50% water changes are the "standard" when keeping cichlids but I've been doing weekly 75% changes on all of my tanks. I add enough Prime for the entire tank's volume first, and I make sure that the new water added is the same temperature, and I've never had any issues. Is this an okay practice?

 

[bigspizz]

I would be careful over dosing the prime...I have just read that OD'ing prime, causes oxygen depravation....Other than that a 75 here and there wont hurt....I would say though that if you are finding your self wanting to do huge WC's you may be overstocked or underfilterd...Good luck Natalie

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Should be ok.

 

[popcorn1]

you dont have to do that big of a water change. for me 50% is only if i forget to do a water change. 25% weekly is enough for me. save yourself the trouble.

unless you have big SA/CA cichlids just save yourself some energy

 

[princess]

i do 75% every 2 weeks and 10% in between to clean filters. i've done that for over a year and half. my water is perfect

 

[ewurm]

I do that, it's fine.

 

[Natalie]

Okay, thanks for the comments. I don't have any worries about filtration-- all of my tanks filter over 10x the tank volume per hour. I just like the idea of adding more fresh water.

 

[socalsurfer]

Okay, thanks for the comments. I don't have any worries about filtration-- all of my tanks filter over 10x the tank volume per hour. I just like the idea of adding more fresh water.

I'd be careful of big water changes, I've lost a lot of fish due to big water changes...

 

[Natalie]

I'd be careful of big water changes, I've lost a lot of fish due to big water changes...

I'm sorry to hear that! But that still makes me wonder, what is it about big water changes that makes them so dangerous? From my way of thinking, if you're keeping up with normal water changes anyway then a big change shouldn't alter the parameters (pH, nitrate level) that much. And if you are sure to treat the water and keep the temperature the same, then I don't see what it is that makes larger water changes dangerous. Does anyone know?

 

[Nic]

ive done that and also did 5 50% water changes in a row before with noproblems so you should be fine...