Water Changes

[Ricko]

What are people's opinions (or scientific fact) on water changes??

If a system is so balanced that no Ammonia, Nitrite or Nitrate are present, and any other trace elements are added, plus fresh clean water is added for evaporation loss, why the need for a water change??

 

[Pharaoh]

Fish also need some of the nutrients/minerals found in water. Would also be rare to find a setup that doesn't have any amonia, nitrite, or nitrate build up. Those come with keeping fish. The real thing to ponder is how often should you do water changes.

 

[terd ferguson]

Other things build up in water besides just nitrates that you should get rid of with water changes.

 

[duke33]

I have a heavily planted, low stocked tank that I top off. I still do a wc once a month even though tests read good. The fish and plants seem to enjoy it.

 

[Wheat]

My reef system was the most balanced system I ever had. I topped it off every day for evaporation with DI water and only did a 10% water change every month. I couldn't get algae to grow. Every time I tried to grow a piece of caulerpa, it would die. Couldn't even get xenia to multiply, the water was just too clean.

 

[selki]

waterchange is a must no matter what....fishes swim with their waste in the water...think about it...no need to think about nitrate nitrite...would you want to swim in your own crap water everyday?

 

[heavyhitter]

FACT: You are part of the nitrogen cycle. You have to remove nitrate, this is done by the water change. Nitrate cannot generally cant break down in the tank, the water changes is what removes the nitrate.

Im sure someone will come along and debate this because they have a 300g heavily planted tank with one guppy in it. But the rule applies to the other 99.99% of us.

 

[Deaths Sting]

water changes are good and healthy practice to maintain and follow out each week.
water changes are like the ''Tune up'' for Aquariums. Tune ups are good even if ur car doesn't need it!

 

[Bud8Fan]

Even lakes and ponds get water changes when it rains.

 

[packer43064]

water changes are good and healthy practice to maintain and follow out each week.
water changes are like the ''Tune up'' for Aquariums. Tune ups are good even if ur car doesn't need it!

Not sure if I would compare it to a tune up, how many people give their cars a tune up every week, lol. But I agree, water changes are a must.