Are Water Changes A Good Idea?

[jellybaby]

As recently posted i have found 0.5 ammoina in my tap water and 50 nitrates. so i asked my lfs this question but couldnt seem to give a staright answer! so here it is?

If im adding tapwater with ammoina already in it is the reading in my tank true - my test results show a reading of 0.5 which is what my tap water is. i no eventually my tank will bring it down to 0.

also i would like to no peoples views on wheather water changes daily are doin more harm then good? should i do it every other day and 20% or more?

 

[heavyhitter]

There are several water conditioners that you can use that will neutralize the ammonia in the tap water. There are ways to get rid of nitrate in your aquarium too, however most if you are keeping big messy these options offer diminishing returns. Continue doing your water changes. There are more benefits to water changes than just removing nitrates.

If you are starting out with 50ppm going in then, the water coming out is higher than that.

 

[FSM]

That really sucks. The ammonia is easy to deal with - just start by putting water in a large container; some people use trashcans or those plastic rubbermaid storage bins, and put a filter on it. That will remove the ammonia but leave the nitrate.

 

[jellybaby]

hmm good point!!

 

[jellybaby]

thanks for the idea!!

 

[tcarswell]

Pre heat and carbon filter your water. Also treating it with prime or amquel+ will help detoxify the nasties in your water. I have the same problem.

 

[packer43064]

Doesn't Prime reduce nitrates?

 

[crazy clowntang]

Doesn't Prime reduce nitrates?

It also nuetralizes ammonia

 

[Pharaoh]

water changes are always necessary. Just do as everyone suggested and treat your water before you put it in the tank.

 

[tcarswell]

Doesn't Prime reduce nitrates?

It detoxifies nitrates but I just checked the bottle and it does not say how much. It removes chlorine chloramine and ammonia it detoxifies nitrite and nitrate