Opinions please on large water changes

[beerad555]

I have a 125 gal freshwater w 5 large (8 inch) s/a cichlids an am not one to overfeed , I have an fx5 and a emperor400 . I have been told numerous things on how much and how often to do water changes. I have been told anywhere from 50% weekly to 25 % every two weeks and would like everyones opinions on this matter please.

 

[monkeybike]

I do 40-50% percent a week in my 180 currently. I have a water filter system on the way to set up a continuous drip system though.

 

[pops]

I do 90% or fin level every week, some times I get distracted and do one eye up water changes, I never have had any issues.

 

[rmkblades]

I do 75% roughly once a week in my 100g and 50g. I do have a tendency to overfeed and i use frozen shrimp about 3 times a week in addition to my daily hikari pellets .

 

[pops]

I should add I run Oscars, jags, BKG, Sun cat and common pleco,s. all very hardy fish.

 

[markstrimaran]

I do 2% daily wc. Then feed the denitrator carbon. Too maintain 10 ppm nitrates.

 

[boldtogether]

I do 90% or fin level every week, some times I get distracted and do one eye up water changes, I never have had any issues.

Hahahah!!! Now that is scientific!!!

I heard once:
If you only remove 50% water you are only removing 50% of the nitrate. But nitrate is still at the same concentration it was in the remaining water......so you have done nothing until you add water without nitrate...diluting the concentration.....so.....my practice has always been to remove as much nasty water as possible....so pops ....you may be on to something...

Actually I don't think there is a standard but I do believe in checking levels of nitrate at least before and after a water change.

Go to this thread...it is a good read.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/nitrate-creep-you-guys-should-read-this.563195/

 

[boldtogether]

 

[pops]

Yes I am under the opinion if I am going to do water changes, why stop at 50%, If I am already there why not change as much as I can, and for the 50% thing, if your nitrates are creeping past 20ppm a week and you do a 50% water change you are not staying ahead of the creep. 20ppmm, remove 50 percent water, nitrates now at 10ppm, next week, nitrates at 30ppm , do 50% water change, and now 15ppm. next week nitrates at 35% and so forth.

 

[dogofwar]

Can't hurt to do more than 50% water changes... or throw an extra one in every few weeks.

Also, don't forget to clean your filters (the gunk out of sponges) - running clean water through a cylinder of feces kind of defeats the purpose!

Matt