Water changes Nitrate levels

[Litespeed]

We have an 84 gallon freshwater tank and we do a 25% water change each week. I test the water at least a couple times a week. A lot of times the nitrate levels will only be 10 or 15 but we still do a 25% water change. Could we go longer between water changes since the fish can tolerate up to 40 on nitrate? I have heard that it's better to do the weekly water changes since it would be less stress on the fish, but the fish seem to stress even when we are doing the water changes just because of all the activities being done in their world. :eek:

[Rbishop]

I would keep your water changes at the weekly interval. I prefer low nitrates of 20 or less, but many commercial aquariums here in the states run at 80-100.

I think the fish are used to your activities if you have had them for any appreciable length of time.

[ausername]

i would keep up on the water changes

[Coler]

its not just nitrates you are changing out, its other dissolved organic compounds which affect fish health and growth. stick with the weekly 25% minimum.

[Litespeed]

That's what I thought -- thanks for the input!

[grannylvsfish]

Same here, I would not sway from your scedule, they ( the fish) are used to clean water each week. I never sway either, I think thats why they grow and are so healthy.

[Coler]

no prob - never forget that the more time you spend with them the more you will be likely to spot problems etc. too...no tank every suffered from too much attention.

i remember reading on here somewhere that we don't keep fish, we keep water, and the fish tell us how good it is...never a truer word spoken.

[Rbishop]

Yep.