Water change routine

S

shw104

AC Members
Mar 19, 2005
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I'm in the process of setting up a 40 gallon community, planted tank. It's a new, larger tank than I've had before and I've had conflicting advice on how often and how much water to change during my routine water changes.

Assuming everything is healthy in the tank and it is doing well.. how often should I be doing water changes and what percentage should I be changing?

Thanks for the advice and assistance.
Scott
 
Most people do a water change every week of 20%-30%. I saw a study that said the VERY BEST way to do was like 75% every other day but that is nowhere near necesary.
 
I would recommend 30% weekly. Since it's planted they'll help keep nitrate levels low. By the way, I do daily water changes and strongly recommend them, but I takes a lot of time and isn't necessary.
 
Like I stated in another thread of yours, it once again depends on how high-tech your tank is. I have around 1 WPG with no CO2 (obviously), only fishfood for fertilizer, and a gravel capped soil substrate and I never change the water. All of the plants are growing great (just had to trim a lot of them today) and the guppies won't quit multiplying.
 
schaadrak said:
Like I stated in another thread of yours, it once again depends on how high-tech your tank is. I have around 1 WPG with no CO2 (obviously), only fishfood for fertilizer, and a gravel capped soil substrate and I never change the water. All of the plants are growing great (just had to trim a lot of them today) and the guppies won't quit multiplying.
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Never change the water? Not a good idea my friend.
 
I change the water in my tanks according to what the inhabitants are and the size of the tank. My discus get daily 40%, my fronts 3 times a week, my convicts 25% weekly, etc. I would recommend minimum of 25% weekly and more often depending on what your stock is. Changing water not only removes the impurities but also adds minerals and such that the fish need.
 
CrimsonBlush said:
Never change the water? Not a good idea my friend.
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In low tech tanks with a soil under layer you don't have to do regular water changes, only top offs. These tanks have both nitrifying and denitryfing bacteria colonies that take care of all the nitrogen so there is no build up. The aged water contains tannins and humic acid (thanks to the soil) which chelate toxins so the fish stay safe. This is as close to a self-contained ecosystem as you can get. As long as the fish are healthy and the plants grow well you are doing everything A-okay! :)
 
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