water changes?
- Thread starter ckcmann
- Start date
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The only time you would do a complete waterchange and gravel removal is in the case of a diseased tank that hasn't responded to meds.
Healthy tanks should have the waterchange determined by the nitrate levels. Most people do at least 20% weekly.
Some people will rec a complete teardown and cleaning about every 2 years.
Oh, and as for filter "cleaning", don't ever replace all the filter innards at once, just rinse off the grime in the bucket of tankwater that you have when you do a waterchange. NEVER use tapwater if you have chlorine/chloramine in the water supply.
Healthy tanks should have the waterchange determined by the nitrate levels. Most people do at least 20% weekly.
Some people will rec a complete teardown and cleaning about every 2 years.
Oh, and as for filter "cleaning", don't ever replace all the filter innards at once, just rinse off the grime in the bucket of tankwater that you have when you do a waterchange. NEVER use tapwater if you have chlorine/chloramine in the water supply.
Agreed. Our research has all concluded that complete water changes ruin whatever cycle you have in existence, not to mention stress on the fish. We probably don't do changes as often as we should in the eyes of many, but all levels are where they should be and we do about 25% every 2 weeks or so. Have had no problems recently w/ fish death, except for a disease which was easily treated. But, as luvfishies stated, let your checks of levels be your guide to changing your water.
What type of filtration do you have. If you use an under gravel filter then you need to clean everything out eventually or it will clog. Otherwise 20 % weekly is a good number. I like to do the weekly, it keeps it a habit and if for some reason I miss a week I know I should be okay. There is nothing wrong with doing it everyother week, as long as the tank is not overstocked and you don't over feed.
The good bacteria grows on the surface of everything, so changing the gravel isn't needed unless you want to and would be difficult. But hey in a year you will be coveting a 55 gallon tank anyway!!
The good bacteria grows on the surface of everything, so changing the gravel isn't needed unless you want to and would be difficult. But hey in a year you will be coveting a 55 gallon tank anyway!!
