water changes

[large_cichlids]

Do water changes really bring out colors in fish,and help them grow.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

YES!

 

[big train]

yes double yes when u got red devils in a small tank.

 

[large_cichlids]

ha ha funny

 

[rallysman]

yes, they do.
They also make the fish healthier, given that you are doing them right.

 

[jeffthefish]

yes, they do.
They also make the fish healthier, given that you are doing them right.

Could you elaborate on this? Besides using untreated chlorinated water, how could one do them wrong?

 

[rallysman]

Could you elaborate on this? Besides using untreated chlorinated water, how could one do them wrong?

New water being too cold or hot, New water containing chloramine (wont "age" away), filling with a contaminated hose, changing on a tank that is mid cycle...ect.

 

[guppy]

Water changes remove built up waste products such as nitrates that can stress the fish. They also remove biologicals such as excess bacteria and even hormones produced by fish. Some fish such as bluegills actually produce a growth suppressant hormone that accelerates maturity in crowded conditions, this is why so many ponds with large breeding populations of them have very few large individuals. Anything that acts as a long term stressor, even low grade, tends to slow groth and lessen color.