How much and how many water changes?

Just a quick note. You really should do a search in the forums and on google for RUGF or reverse undergravel filter. Similar system to waht you have but in reverse. This helps keep the undergravel plates much cleaner and provides a significantly better source of filtration and water mov't.

And I agree with the others. Filtration is great at getting rid of ammonia and nitrite but does nothing for other thinsg like nitrates, replenishing buffers or actually getting debris out of the water. At a minimum filters will need to be cleared of buildup to make sure they function properly.

I would suggest though, not jumping on a 50% water change right away. Fish adapt to poorer water conditions and can be shocked with a massive change. I would stick to 10% and do a few over a week long period, then the next week begin at least 20% weekly changes.


I know the larger changes make my fish very excited and they are much more active with cleaner water (cory catfish, white cloud minnows, cherry barbs).

I didn't vote but I'm kind of in between. Having suffered some water quality/filtration issues recently, I've been doing almost daily water changes but now that things are under control, I'm thinking of about 15% (gravel siphoning) every 4 days in my 47 gallon with an Aquaclear 110 filter (could be overkill). Approx. 30 smaller fish (5 rasbora (largest fish), male guppies, jumbo neon, jellybean tetra, otocinclis) there right now - will only be adding a few more male guppies.

The more water chnages the better, but I incist on a regular schedule such as 5 minutes after the lights are on they get fed, every thursday night they get a PWC, etc. I think the stress comes more from the 'unknown', than from anything else. My community is so use to me that they often pluck at the siphen tube for the pieces of debri floating up or even puckering my hand or wrists. In fact, I often have to 'scoot' them away so that I can clean properly, they are that use to me now.

20-30% PWC Weekly. I also vacum the gravel if I over-feed them. Just enough to get the gravel cleaned especially if the shrimp pellets are not cleaned up after a few hours (this is maybe 6-8%)