Too much of a water change?

[esoxlucius]

In aquariums we normally stress the nitrogen cycle, and that is because it is about the only cycle, we as aquarists can easily control, with bio media nd its biofilm of beneficial bacteria.
In nature there is also the phosphorus cycle, the sulfer cycle, photosynthesis and many more cycles at work that contribute to the exchange and cleaning water in any non-polluted system.
There are also myriads of micro to macro animals that help break down organics pollutants we really don't normally have access to.
Add to that the constant movement of rivers, rain, flow in aquifers that constantly put fish in perpetual water change.
The Amazon river flow over 12 million cubic kilometers of water every minute ("1" cubic meters is about 250+ gallons).
So to me, the idea that any aquarist can do of too much a water change borders on the ridiculous.
As LBDave said above, I try to do 30%-40% ( a pittance) every other day, based on pH, alkalinity and nitrate trends after years of testing my tanks. If I test tank water, and nitrate readings are above 5ppm, I do a large water change.
5 ppm nitrate, or a sudden drop in pH of 2 ,or alkalinity of 20ppm being my high/low end indicator points.
I have done nitrate tests daily on raw Lake Michigan waters when I worked as a chemist for a large drinking water facility, and I have been testing natural waters here in Panama lately, I have yet to find detectable nitrates here, or way back when, in Lake Michigan.

Haha. Well that's my amazonian biotope idea gone well and truly tits up. That's about 3 billion gallons of water turnover every hour! Do you reckon my jabao DCP7500 will manage that on full setting.

 

[LBDave]

Haha. Well that's my amazonian biotope idea gone well and truly tits up. That's about 3 billion gallons of water turnover every hour! Do you reckon my jabao DCP7500 will manage that on full setting.

You can sit and stir that tank up with a spoon and nothings going to change.

 

[TheNonEuclidean]

No such thing as too big of a change, but bigger changes should be more often as well to avoid fluctuations.

 

[GrapeGuy]

If you do 50% you should be fine. I know africans prefer a little higher ph. Do you know your tap water ph? Do you monitor ph?

My tap water pH is 8.2

 

[LBDave]

My tap water pH is 8.2

Thats close to what I get. Pretty normal. What exact africans do you have? Biggest thing is that there are no big PH swings but I doubt very much the water changes are a concern in regards to PH.

 

[GrapeGuy]

Thats close to what I get. Pretty normal. What exact africans do you have? Biggest thing is that there are no big PH swings but I doubt very much the water changes are a concern in regards to PH.

I'm buying Africans right now

 

[LBDave]

I'm buying Africans right now

You can search the forum on africans and ph. Generally (a lot) of africans originate in waters with a higher ph than say south american cichlids. Some areas in africa have a lower ph. I wouldn't really worry about it. Some people use a gravel substrate that promotes a stable and a little higher ph that "africans" prefer. I think the bigger thing is a stable ph. Doing regular water changes say twice a week with tap water over 8 should be fine. I wouldn't do anything other than what I stated above for the ph.
Have you been keeping fish for a while? Do you have a test kit?

 

[Ulu]

I slacked off on the WC's because of the recent remodeling. My poor fish are suffering, and I am too. I have to move fish too, which will stress them more. This upscaling business is more costly than just money. Time to get the hose. . . .

 

[LBDave]

I slacked off on the WC's because of the recent remodeling. My poor fish are suffering, and I am too. I have to move fish too, which will stress them more. This upscaling business is more costly than just money. Time to get the hose. . . .

I have a very crowded tank. New tank getting cycled to help split up the group. I last changed water last Friday. Changed last night. Vacced out sump also. Cleaned gravel. Man did the fish like this. Colors really popped after the water change. Nothing like large water changes and fresh vitamins.
It also makes me feel good after I do this. Good therapy.

 

[GrapeGuy]

You can search the forum on africans and ph. Generally (a lot) of africans originate in waters with a higher ph than say south american cichlids. Some areas in africa have a lower ph. I wouldn't really worry about it. Some people use a gravel substrate that promotes a stable and a little higher ph that "africans" prefer. I think the bigger thing is a stable ph. Doing regular water changes say twice a week with tap water over 8 should be fine. I wouldn't do anything other than what I stated above for the ph.
Have you been keeping fish for a while? Do you have a test kit?

I've only ever kept community fish and yes I do have a test kit.