Some interesting findings with more waterchanges

[skynoch]

So I have 2 tanks that aren't on a drip system that have readings of 0 ammonia, trace nitrites and around 20 ppm nitrates. Everythng is going good and have no problems. Well I want to try and make things better.
So my tiger tank I change water every 2 days then 3 days and my xingu tank I change every 3 days then 4 days.
My tiger tank I started changing water every 2 days for the last 2 weeks and found the colors on them have become darker and more vibrant but they have started to eat less.
On my xingu tank I started changing water every 3 days. I haven't noticed any real change in color (if I had to lean one way or another it would be better) but have also noticed they tend to eat less.
Now both tanks have kept the same ph, temp, ect.., Both tanks use prime for waterchanges with an amount rated for the tank size and not the waterchange amount.
What I want to know does the better color increase mean healthier even with the loss of appetite or is it to many waterchanges?

 

[vamptrev]

the eating less part dosnt make sense to me... they should be eating more.

why the trace nitrites??

 

[omojena]

my rays eat less after a big waterchange the day of the waterchange IF they get stressed out during the waterchange.

 

[Kamisan]

Appetite loss after resuffle the water change regime (frequency and / or volume) could be a temporary effect. Once the rays get use to the new discipline, the appetite should be back to normal or even better.

 

[Tom]

I do a water change every other day. My "Hystrix"' patterns are more vibrant than any other I have seen.

 

[jwong1024]

Appetite loss after resuffle the water change regime (frequency and / or volume) could be a temporary effect. Once the rays get use to the new discipline, the appetite should be back to normal or even better.

i agree

 

[FishDog]

How large are the water changes? You might be changing to much volume each time. I wouldn't do anything over 30-40% every 2 days unless you are over stocked.

 

[FireMedic]

Fod for thought, when I do water changes I use slightly cooler water straight from the well (5 degrees cooler). The rays tend to be frisky and eat more aggressively. -FM

 

[DavidW]

When rays ( and other Tropical fish) are pulled from the river their colors are very vibrant, they "pale-out' from stress, getting them to market etc....
Imagine the volumes of daily fresh water in the Amazon....I am surprised that you are surprised that they should look great after more/bigger water changes.

 

[skynoch]

the eating less part dosnt make sense to me... they should be eating more.

why the trace nitrites??

Maybe it's the test kits I use but all my tanks have trace nitrite. Doesn't matter if it had 5 rays or one it still reads a trace.

When rays ( and other Tropical fish) are pulled from the river their colors are very vibrant, they "pale-out' from stress, getting them to market etc....
Imagine the volumes of daily fresh water in the Amazon....I am surprised that you are surprised that they should look great after more/bigger water changes.


Not surprised about the color looking good but I am surprised they are eating less

How large are the water changes? You might be changing to much volume each time. I wouldn't do anything over 30-40% every 2 days unless you are over stocked

The one tank is overstocked that I'm doing 40% waterchanges every 2 days. The other tank isn't overstocked and it's about 30-40% every 3 days.
I'll try and keep up the new schedule and see if the eating returns