Water Changes and Filter Cleanings??

[Synomal]

On a 100 gallon + tank do you all feel that it is better to do more small water changes or larger changes spread a little futher apart? Also what intervals do you like for ither?

Again 100 Gallon+ with three Canisters which has a fairly heavy stock (Say Large Cichlids). How often would you service each filter? Tank is at about 6X turnover.

 

[PDRed302]

The amount of water that needs to be changed per week will heavily depend on the stock.

...but to give a broad answer, with a heavily/moderately heavy stocked cichlid tank I would recommend 35% to 50% water changes a week, regardless of how much filtration is provided.

Once a week water changes (40/50%) is fine but you may be better off doing smaller ones twice a week (maybe 20/30%)

Your main goal is to make sure that your cycled tank never gets above 40ppm Nitrate between changes.

I would service the filters only when I noticed a reduction in flow, this is how I time out servicing my own canisters and it equals out to roughly every 3-5 months or so. This is also heavily dependent upon your stocking and tank husbandry.

 

[MikeOway]

small water changes would stress the fishes less. I would clean one filter a week along w/ the small water change. make sure you alternate the cleaning of the filters.