Debate: Water Changes

[achase]

For a while now I have been roaming this forum and have seen a variety of opinions regarding water changes.
So I thought it would be interesting to see what people's opinions are regarding water changes. (All in one place) *crazysmil

Weekly, biweekly, monthly?
Small water changes vs. large water changes?

Also if you prefer one method to another what is your logic behind your choice??

 

[epond83]

Small water changes are less stressful then large water chages but less effective.

As far as how often i think it has too many factors, basically often enough, and large enough to keep the water chemistry correct.

Keep you nitrates below 40-80ppm and you will be good. Large tank with few fish can go a lot longer then a small tank over stocked.

 

[jamiejay09]

Small water changes weekly, less hassle, keeps water parameters correct, effective.

 

[achase]

Epond83: I like your method...just enough to keep everyone safe, healthy and happy.

Jamiejay09: And by small water changes you mean.....25% or less?

 

[FroggyFox]

I'm a big fan of about 50 once or twice a month, but I generally have understocked tanks. I think it really is different for each tank...just kind of depends when it needs it. Here in CO where the climate is so dry I get a ton of evaporation and end up doing about twice as many changes in the summer months instead of just topping off.

 

[epond83]

Yeah it all varies, my planted tank will maintains about 10 ppm nitrates with the amount i feed the fish so that gets about a 25% whenever i feel like it, maybe once a month

My other tank has a turttle who is messy, can take higher nitrates, can dea; with a big water change. So she gets about 50% once a month more latly since i don't pay for water and i figured out how to hook the vinal hose to the sink faucet.