cloudy water...

[bitteraspects]

extreme changes in water parameters will stunt or even kill beneficial bacteria colonies. this includes things like ph, temp, etc. also, changes in chlorine content.
furthermore, when you do large WC, you are eliminating the food required for the bacteria to grow and thrive. while ammonia in the tank is generally seen as a "bad thing", its is also necessary for the nitrogen cycle to happen. ammonia is basically the food for your bacteria. eliminating large amounts of this "food", can also lead to ill effects on the colonies housed in your media. this will basically cause your tank to re-cycle.

if done CORRECTLY, and all precautions are taken to ensure the water going in is EXACTLY the same as the water removed, and sufficient ammonia is you will likely not kill the bacteria, but its definitely not a good idea as regular practice, and should be avoided. regular water changes of 25-30% are more then sufficient.
in an extreme emergency situation it CAN be pulled off, but that does not mean it should be.

"you can drive a car with your feet if you want to... that dont make it a good ******* idea" - chris rock

 

[Natural_Born_Killer]

extreme changes in water parameters will stunt or even kill beneficial bacteria colonies. this includes things like ph, temp, etc. also, changes in chlorine content.
furthermore, when you do large WC, you are eliminating the food required for the bacteria to grow and thrive. while ammonia in the tank is generally seen as a "bad thing", its is also necessary for the nitrogen cycle to happen. ammonia is basically the food for your bacteria. eliminating large amounts of this "food", can also lead to ill effects on the colonies housed in your media. this will basically cause your tank to re-cycle.

if done CORRECTLY, and all precautions are taken to ensure the water going in is EXACTLY the same as the water removed, and sufficient ammonia is you will likely not kill the bacteria, but its definitely not a good idea as regular practice, and should be avoided. regular water changes of 25-30% are more then sufficient.
in an extreme emergency situation it CAN be pulled off, but that does not mean it should be.

"you can drive a car with your feet if you want to... that dont make it a good ******* idea" - chris rock

Thanks for the advice...

Just curious though - as I have read it before here on MFK from the more experienced keepers the bacteria is in the bio media/sand/rocks etc. Therefore, they say you could do 100% w/c's without having any problems.

I've never tried this myself, but just wondering how that can be right.

 

[bitteraspects]

again, if all the necessary precautions are taken, (and there are quite a few to consider), it can be pulled off with little to no detrimental effect on the bacteria colonies. HOWEVER, this type of thing should not be regular practice, and should be reserved to more experienced fish keepers who are well versed in water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle.

weekly WC of 25-30% should be regular practice, along with having sufficiant filtration and bio-media.

ahh... if only we lived in a perfect world. lol

 

[piranhakeeper69]

ya prob bacterial bloom wait for it to re cycle!