How often should I do water change?

[Pharaoh]

I do 25% WC every 2 weeks. I do this because I have a 35 gal sump which helps me somehow in maintaining the water clean and the only filter in that tank is a submersible pump, but I'm really not sure. It has keep the water clean and fish alive and well without difficulties for grasping for oxygen for 8 months already but I just want to make sure because I want those two to live longer in their best or better condition before I buy a 300 for the 2 of them.

FYI, the 35G sump is giving you extra water volume, which i turns stabilizes you parameters and lets you go a little longer on WC. Just for reference.

 

[Hao]

i do 30-50% water changes a week on my tanks

 

[Dovii dude]

I was always taught the more the better.

 

[Hao]

I was always taught the more the better.

but it also depends on your tank size,how many fish u got too

 

[Sonsinator]

Though I was taught that the more frequent the more chances to cause stress to your fishes. Anyway I'll just follow the weekly water change for my fish to grow healthy and will buy a test kit next week.

 

[Quen]

Water changes are tank specific. The timing of water changes will depend on your bioload. Some people will feed lots of food while others only feed pellets. The volume of water will also affect the nitrate level.
Buy a nitrate test kit and change water before it reaches 30ppm.

 

[Hao]

Water changes are tank specific. The timing of water changes will depend on your bioload. Some people will feed lots of food while others only feed pellets. The volume of water will also affect the nitrate level.
Buy a nitrate test kit and change water before it reaches 30ppm.

i agree

 

[perfect_prefect]

Water changes are tank specific. The timing of water changes will depend on your bioload. Some people will feed lots of food while others only feed pellets. The volume of water will also affect the nitrate level.
Buy a nitrate test kit and change water before it reaches 30ppm.

agree, do it BEFORE it gets to 30ppm, aro's require excellant water quality, so i try to keep mine below 20 ppm. get nitrate test drops as they are cheaper then the 5 in 1 test strips. do wc whenever your nitrates get close to 30ppm remember your tap water has roughly up to 10 ppm nitrates in it so if your at 30ppm you should do a 50% change.

 

[David R]

How do you use a test kit cause I don't know how to... I want to know how before I buy one.

It will have instructions, its not rocket science...

I was always taught the more the better.

Only to a point, you're not going to achieve anything by doing daily 95% changes other than a big water bill.

 

[benzjamin13]

I've always done 25%-50% weekly. As for test kits...don't have one. I haven't had one in years. It the water smells funkier than usual, I'll do a 75%