Unnecessary arbitrary water changes?

[Moontanman]

This is the kind of thing that I want to do... as soon as I have the space and time

In my new house I have plenty of time but no space, I'm not sure what direction I am going to go now but I am not going to quit fish keeping for sure!

 

[koop171]

I don't check the water chemistry. I just do a mass water change every week of 50-75% that way the water doesn't hae a chance at going south

 

[Monolicious]

Changing to much water to often can effect you BB in your filters and start a cycle all over again,This can prove to be very dangerous to your fish and and the BB in your filters, Even with large bio load a 25-30% water change weekly should be enough.

 

[morganj157]

1 30% a week for me

 

[nfored]

I'd say the majority of the people here dont test their water regularly. i only tested my water while i was cycling the tank and havent tested ever since. we rely on lots of bio filtration and large regular water changes to keep the water pristine. afterall, when a tank has been established, ammonia and nitrites should ALWAYS be 0. and nitrates are kept in check by the frequent water changes so testing the water regularly is never an issue

I disagree, I can get my tank to ammonia 0 and nitrate to 0 and it stays that way, as long as I don't do a water change. The problem is I have 1ppm ammonia coming from tap, after amquel+ the ammonia is .50ppm. so of course after a w/c i get a small ammonia spike of > .25 followed by .25 - .50 nitrite. I say I disagree because if it should always be zero, after about 6 of these water changes and the resulting nitrite spike, the bio filter should have grown enough to keep this from happening. Not to mention I have had my tank get ammonia spikes of .25 to .50 for no apparent reason, that I only catch with water test.

 

[toffee]

For folks with 1000g+ tank, WC ought to be automated.
For folks with 120g- tank, WC is bible.
For folks with 200g+ tank without automated WC system, ....

 

[piranhakeeper69]

i do 30 percent every week or so.

 

[packer43064]

Good question OP. I change when the nitrates get to 40ppm or two weeks. Whichever comes first.