Cycling/Partial Water Changes

[Hollygirl]

For those of you who have gone through the entire "cycle", you still do partial water changes weekly - don't you? The last time I had fish was about 15 years ago, and I used to do a 3 gallon PWC on my 30 gallon community tank once or twice a week. My fish lived for years. We had a male betta, about 8 neon tetras, 2 corys, and I think Harlequin Rasboras, about 4 of them. I didn't know much about cycling, only that the water needed to be partially changed weekly. That is what information was given to me at the time. How often do any of you do PWC and what amount?

[jpappy789]

I usually do a 15-20% pwc every week but sometimes (with my schedule) it's almost two...ssshhh, don't tell anyone...

If you haven't already read the cycling sticky, do so! Very easy to understand...

[DLV082]

Everyone has a different regime depends on the type of fish and what you hope to do with them. In my Discus tank I do a 30% water change every second day (If breeding daily) and on my community tank 25% twice a week.

[nycsicktank]

i wouldnt do more than 15-20% a week. unless you got ammonia or your waters too dirty

[Rbishop]

Depends on your bio load and the fish you keep. I have some that get daily 50-75%.

For me and the conditions I maintain, the norm is 30-50% weekly.

[ct-death]

After a cycle is completed, I target 50% weekly w/ gravel vacs. I admit that there are a few weeks I do a 30-40%, but I always do the gravel vacs! ;)

[silentskream]

to put it simply, there's no such thing as changing too much water or doing so too often.

the only exception to this rule is during old tank syndrome, which is when you've slacked off on your tank too long and it throws the system out of whack and doing a large water change will turn your aquarium water very acidic.