Whats the longest you've gone without a water change ???

[Bgonz]

I broke down this weekend and did a 35% water change on my 125 salt tank. I was unsure how long it been but a little research revealed 3 years !!!!! I couldnt believe its been 3 years without a partial water change

Before I get flamed for animal cruelty lets just say the tank always looked great, It never went bad, and all two of my fish are doing just fine. Time just flew by

For those wondering its a 6' 125 packed with liverock, wet/dry & skimmer, and a 12" French angle and a 6" fairy wrasse. I tested my water and the ph was 8.5 , ammonia and nitrites are 0 and the nitates are barely detectable how does this happen ?????? I assume its partially the amount of live rock and partially the fishes diet which has been exclusivly the brown and green dried seaweed. I dont overfeed but the fish look healthy and fit. I moved some of the rock around and theres a lot of life still flourishing underneith ???? Pretty incredible.

Who ever said salt tanks need to be a lot of work.





bob

 

[Predator 1]

I have often read of cases where marine keepers have NEVER done a water change. There is a retailer here in the UK that breeds whitetip and other sharks, and claims not to have changed the water in over 10 years!

 

[Tangs Rule]

I have a 150 where it's just the opposite, no matter how much water I change the nitrates are always through the roof. Most of the fish don't seem to mind, but some of the delicate fish don't like it. I usually move them to one of my tanks with better water quality.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

In recent time about 3 weeks to a month. In the past when I was a kid and didnt know much, I would rarely change the water. Maybe I did it like once every 3-4 months.


It all depends. If you have a light stock and very good filtration you can get away with this sorta thing. But if you have a heavy stock, then water changes must be done.

 

[Zoodiver]

1 year is not uncommon for my bigger tanks.

With the right filter set up, longer is very possible on fish only tanks. A lot of major aquariums never change the water on there large systems. Only remove it, purify it, then put it back in later.

 

[BIGgourami]

i haven't done a water change on either of my 29 since at least june.. i just did one as im goin on vacation.. but generally the nitrates stay low enough to where i dont need one

 

[Ricko]

How much live rock do you have Bgonz??? That would def be a major factor in your water quality. I have gone 6mths without a change but recently made a new sump with a big plenum so will see how far i can push it now.
Also if anyone said salt tanks are hard work they have their setup all wrong,,,more expensive than fresh yes, and takes some time for the eco system to develop but if done right then is easy.

 

[overcooked]

I've gone 6 months but it was lightly stocked. Didn't skim and didn't dose.

 

[Angler]

Holy crap people. Longest I have gone is like 2 weeks. Maybe I am waisting water.

 

[BIGgourami]

Holy crap people. Longest I have gone is like 2 weeks. Maybe I am waisting water.

if your nitrates or over, say, 10ppm.. it's not a waste