Is My Dad Right?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Pyramid_Party;3569967; said:
As long as your parameters are stable and the tank isnt filthy, and you have adequate filtration, no need to constantly do water changes. I do 25% water changes like every 2-3 weeks and its fine. I can even go longer if I wanted. I think these constant water changes were embedding into hobbiests minds by paranoid hobbiests. Theres some people who do 50% water changes on a 200+ gallon tank every other day. Its nuts. Im with your dad on this one.
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Seconded.
And I have BIG fish.
But it's not just the water bill, but water's a valuable resource and blah blah blah.

Amquel+ by Kordon is also a great water conditioner, it removes nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, chlorine, and chloramines. So you use it in your water changes as a water conditioner, thus removing any preexisting nitrites or whatever, and you can use it when levels start building up.
I don't even do that much though. I just do a 1/3 water change every two weeks or so. It's still alot, though. But it's a happy medium.
 
I used to do waterchange once a week. But ever since i got a 150 gallon and i do 50% change on that tank.. sometimes 75% during summer, It takes HOURS to do.. 3 hour max to the way I like.. so i have toned down on my water changes since.. I now do water change every 2-3 weeks at either 50% or 75%. Depending on the Nitrates at the time... I

But.. i think keeping up with the nitrates is important.. and also the amount food u feed.. I know some people feed their fish 3 times a day.. And in my opinion.. thats way too much.. 2 times a day, or even every other day is enough for fish.. Otherwise you see problems with cloudy water.

Anyways.. I think twice a week or 3 times a week is a good way to use to use the maximum usage of the water..
 
As long as your parameters are stable and the tank isnt filthy, and you have adequate filtration, no need to constantly do water changes. I do 25% water changes like every 2-3 weeks and its fine. I can even go longer if I wanted. I think these constant water changes were embedding into hobbiests minds by paranoid hobbiests. Theres some people who do 50% water changes on a 200+ gallon tank every other day. Its nuts. Im with your dad on this one.
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problem is, lack of water changes means the tank is not stable as the nitrates will be rising (unless you have plants to suck them up)

thats different- lightly stocked planted tanks can go a while without WC's.

but heavily stocked tanks with big fish that are powerfed (like many on this site), not so much.

high nitrate levels are a common cause of Popeye- fish in low nitrate level waters never get it. used to see that a lot with customers. higher nitrates make them more supceptilble to the bacterial infection that causes it. this and things like fungus etc etc.

skipping the odd water change because the tank is stable is one thing or if you are unable, too busy that week etc. we have all done this at one time or another.

but skipping a water change of 50g per week just to save a dollar per month isn't really worth it IMO. its nothing, even on a budget. trust me, I am a single home owner. I know lol.

Tropicalfishking, you should see if your Dad will let you see the water bill. its easy to calculate the water cost. you will probably be surprised at how little it actually is.

I think it costs me 15 cents do to a 50g change on my 150g in terms of actual water cost.
 
Try reading the articles on water changes in this month and last month's TFH. They might give you some insight here.
 
Just some insight your Dad is always right! I know mine is. HAHA but as for the water changes go I think you have been given some good info
 
You guys are complaining about 70$ a month? Here in Toronto my hydro bill tops $200. I change 20% twice a week, and my water is crystal clear, and fyi, i'm housing 6 baby koi's in it, and these things are pooping machines.
 
Its ok from where your location is. and water isn't expensive... But i'm sadly in SO-cal. where we are still having a water shortage.. and theres a cap on our water supply.. if we go over it.. we have to pay an extra 15% in addition...

So hence.. the longer water changes..
 
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