BTW - with a nutritionally balanced diet, trace minerals and elements from the water are not required. Millions of people raise fish under these conditions. This is why most people focus on nutrient export.
Are Large Water Changes Killing Fish? Small vs Large Water Changes -
- Thread starter tarheel96
- Start date
Natural hormones are just organic compunds that, to my understanding, break down quickly and aren't a huge deal unless fish are really cramped. The probiotics seem to be awesome too! How's it working on sludge?
The correct term is growth inhibiting substances. The jury appears to still be out as to how pheromones, hormones, etc impact the growth & overall health of fish kept in a glass box, or if they even do. Personally it's never mattered much to me, it's a no-brainer that the more fresh water a fish is exposed to, the healthier it will be for the fish. I'm also old enough to remember that at one time the term second hand smoke didn't exist.
I had a young lady do that once, but it wasn't to cure an earache. 
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/01/fish-communicate-through-their-urine
If this is true then I believe the stress on fish could be a cause for stunted growth in a enclosed system, another reason for large water changes.
If this is true then I believe the stress on fish could be a cause for stunted growth in a enclosed system, another reason for large water changes.
All fish are constantly giving off hormones and pheromones in their urine, and all fresh water fish are constantly urinating. Instinctively alpha fish need to stay alpha as long as possible, and those hormones etc, are an attempt to slow the growth of others. Goldfish are "not" the only ones.
And in the confined space of a tank, without constant water changes, these build up and cause stress.
In nature the size of the ecosystem,the myriad of microscopic animals and plants (terrestrial, aquatic, semi aquatic), photosynthesis, the nitrogen, sulpher and many other cycles are able to use these compounds. But the aquarium is too small and limiting to have all this going on.
All we consider in fish keeping is the nitrogen cycle, because it is so acutely toxic, and normally think in very simplistic terms, in our little water filled boxes.
And in the confined space of a tank, without constant water changes, these build up and cause stress.
In nature the size of the ecosystem,the myriad of microscopic animals and plants (terrestrial, aquatic, semi aquatic), photosynthesis, the nitrogen, sulpher and many other cycles are able to use these compounds. But the aquarium is too small and limiting to have all this going on.
All we consider in fish keeping is the nitrogen cycle, because it is so acutely toxic, and normally think in very simplistic terms, in our little water filled boxes.
I'm not sure that's true, Duane. I've read a lot in recent years that tends to discount the concept that pheromones/hormones stunt the growth of fish raised in a closed system. As I said previously, to me it doesn't matter one way or the other, pheromones, DOC's, nitrates, whatever ..... it's all pollution at the end of the day and clean fresh water is obviously best for a fishes growth and overall health.
This is what my son’s 10gal and 29gal get every week:
The 10gal gets aged and heated water, but I add a little Prime anyway. The 29gal gets water straight from the hose. Now that the weather has been getting cold though, I have had to add some of the aged heated water to keep the tank from getting too cold. I also, obviously, add Prime to the 29gal tank. I’ve been doing it this way for about two years now and my fish appear to be very healthy. My son’s fair goldfish has grown a ton with this regimen.
The 10gal gets aged and heated water, but I add a little Prime anyway. The 29gal gets water straight from the hose. Now that the weather has been getting cold though, I have had to add some of the aged heated water to keep the tank from getting too cold. I also, obviously, add Prime to the 29gal tank. I’ve been doing it this way for about two years now and my fish appear to be very healthy. My son’s fair goldfish has grown a ton with this regimen.
