Water changes for big tanks with cichla

[Steve_89]

I used to use a mag-drive and the wife used to water the plants, but doing that just took way to long. Now I have been using 4 garden hoses and a python to gravel vac at the same time.
Some water gets to the front lawn, and about halfway down my street.

LOL!

There was a stage when I was changing upwards of 1000 gallons a week too.

I used to just run it into my backyard...the grass had never been greener

 

[Monolicious]

I have a 450G Bass tank and do a 25% WC every week.

I incorporate a gravel vac as I do so and I also add 1 cup of aquarium salt with each WC.

The key to owning big healthy Bass is FILTRATION

Hope this helps.

 

[ado124]

Currently I'm doing water changes with fresh water from the tap going straight into the tank while adding water conditioner every so often. With large (40% or more) WC's do you guys that don't use carbon filters just use tap water? My tap has a fair amount of chlorine and anytime I do a WC in my 120g of more than 35% the fish start breathing heavily and freakin me out.

How do you guys do large WCs? Doesn't seem practical to store 100+ gallons of aged water.

 

[buddha1200]

i do 80% water change on my 125 and 265 once a week and dont have to much problems with the water bill.

 

[Danh]

I guess water rates vary throughout the country, but I could do 1000g a week not hurt too bad.

 

[patatmblife]

I guess water rates vary throughout the country, but I could do 1000g a week not hurt too bad.

Here in Winnipeg, Canada, water is about 1.1 cents per gallon so 1000 gallons is just $11. If you you are changing 1000g at a time I'd worry about the time you need to spend changing it instead of worrying about $11 unless of course you make $2 an hour.