Water Changes

1065 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Cryptocoryne, Oct 2, 2010

MassiveCatish

Discussion Starter · Oct 1, 2010

Wondering how often I would have to change the water on a heavily planted and sparsely populated (4 tetras 1 small catfish) 10 gal tank. I also have diy co2 and a nice mini canister filter. I was doing about 20% of the water once a week but that seems like overkill, maybe. Also, does changing the water help reduce algae?

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Whiskey

· #2 · Oct 1, 2010

I like to think about this question like so:

What does changing the water too much hurt?
What does changing the water not often enough hurt?

Thus - I do 50% weekly water changes.

I think of it more for the health of the fish, and to avoid buildup of ferts than I do for algae control.

Whiskey

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kingfisherfleshy

· #3 · Oct 1, 2010 (Edited)

We cant really recommend a regimine to you.

H2o changes are all about what works for you. Depends on tank size, stocking, number and kind of plants, filtration..ect ect.

I can tell you this. On my 10g aquarium I do about 25% weekly. Its stocked very sparsely with fish, and densely with plants, I just do it to have a "reset" on my nitrate dosing.

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Big Dog

· #4 · Oct 1, 2010

I do a 50% water change every week on my planted aquariums.

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wkndracer

· #5 · Oct 1, 2010

Environmentalist's have a rather nasty little saying.
"The solution to pollution is dilution."
The smaller the tank, the more critical balance/cleanliness is as things can get wacked really fast in a small tank.
Another thought is this, your changing 1/5 to maybe 1/4 of your volume discounting substrate and what not so its not much. Lots and lots of Discus keepers change (IMO) a crazy amount of water.
I only keep a 10g for quarantine or first move when growing out fry. If it's not treated with meds I do 50% weekly. (My primary QT tanks are planted because I think it's easier on the fish to have furniture the first month LOL) I go to a bare bottom if I'm treating with strong meds.

Doing 25-50% weekly on a 10g would be my recommendation.

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timwag2001

· #6 · Oct 2, 2010

i do 25% twice a week on my shrimp tanks and 50% on the others

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leo1234

· #7 · Oct 2, 2010

wkndracer said:
Environmentalist's have a rather nasty little saying.
"The solution to pollution is dilution."
The smaller the tank, the more critical balance/cleanliness is as things can get wacked really fast in a small tank.
Another thought is this, your changing 1/5 to maybe 1/4 of your volume discounting substrate and what not so its not much. Lots and lots of Discus keepers change (IMO) a crazy amount of water.
I only keep a 10g for quarantine or first move when growing out fry. If it's not treated with meds I do 50% weekly. (My primary QT tanks are planted because I think it's easier on the fish to have furniture the first month LOL) I go to a bare bottom if I'm treating with strong meds.

Doing 25-50% weekly on a 10g would be my recommendation.

Yes I was a discus keeper before and used to change 50 to 75% of water every other day lucky it was only two tanks!!!! Now i just change 50% weekly in my planted tank.If you think that is alot I know people who change 90 to 100% daily twice a day for there grow out discus tanks imagine the water bill.

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Cryptocoryne

· #8 · Oct 2, 2010

Depending on your water, alot of the minerals in your tap water are great for your plants too. =)

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