Is this possible, once a month water changes?

[Chaka]

First post here, traveling keeps me out of the home for a month at a time. I would like to build FW aquarium around this schedule. I was thinking in the 75 gallon range, big canister filter. A number of users on forum here achieve once a month canister filter cleanings. I'm not too concerned about that, But once a month water changes is a hurdle I can’t figure out yet?

What type of setup would I have to build to achieve this? Say a heavily planted tank with CO2 injection, only a couple of fish for a low bio-load. Or maybe, low light plants one or two fish for a low bio-load? OR fake plants with a few fish? Which direction would you take? Thanks in advance.

 

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

Is a constant drip sytem or auto water changer an option?? search the DIY forum

 

[rallysman]

Is a constant drip sytem or auto water changer an option?? search the DIY forum

That'd be the way to go

 

[Pufferpunk]

If you're only home 1x/month, how will you even enjoy them? Whose gonna feed them? What is they get sick? Personally, I wouldn't bother.

 

[BushFishRox]

ya I have to agree with everything said here, the drip system is the way to go. BUUUUUT if you are only home once a month I wouldnt attempt a tank because so much can happen in the time that you are away from home...

 

[Chaka]

Surley people in the past have left their tanks for a four week stretch. Relatives would feed fish and keep and eye out so no worries there. There have been biosphere type setups for years in classrooms that have no filter or anything in the aquarium but one fish and plants. I would like to lean more toward this route than the auto water changer plumbing. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[bigspizz]

Surley people in the past have left their tanks for a four week stretch. Relatives would feed fish and keep and eye out so no worries there. There have been biosphere type setups for years in classrooms that have no filter or anything in the aquarium but one fish and plants. I would like to lean more toward this route than the auto water changer plumbing. Appreciate the feedback.

If you have a 55 with 1 tetra and lots of plants and mature substrate, he will be there in a month.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Waaaaay understocked would be the only way to go. Huge chance of your relatives overfeeding in that case, too.

 

[evercl92]

I don't do water changes but every 2-3 months, kinda whenever I feel like it. I have a decent bioload in my tank, but it is quite heavily planted. I also have an eheim 2028 on my 120g, but I don't think it really 'filters' as much as the plants do.

A friend of mine does pretty much the same thing. Enough plants, moderate bioload and no need for a water change.

I've read plenty of people having tanks without even a filter setup, not even a powerhead for water movement. A lot of plants, low low bioload, and that's all ya need.

I'd stay away from higher lighting - you'll need to be feeding you plants, and with your 'schedule', doesn't look like you'll be able to do it enough. Lower-light (with timers, of course), CO2 (also on a timer), low bioload, you should be fine.

 

[guppy]

Yes, once a month or even less often can work, just overfilter, keep plants, and understock the tank.