The truth must come out

Q#1: tanks size is irelevent. Fish population compared to water volume is what matters. You need to/should do enough water changes/large enough water changes to keep nitrate under 20 (tested for at any time between your water changes) if you don't have plants, if you do have plants 50% once a week should be OK for the average tank (do this much for not only the fish but the plants but to remove excess nutrients from the water to prevent bad algaes and to reset the nutrient levels). Provided that your tank has not gone into old tank synrod, you can never do to many or to big a water change(s) provided that you use common sense and don't let the fish/gravel go dry. More changes and larger amounts are only to the benifit of the fish.

Q#2: Depends on the tank, what fish are being added, and how many fish are being added. However if your properly quarantining new arivals, you shouldn't be adding fish any more often than once every three weeks/month.

Well I qualify as an owner of one of the bigger more stable tanks....210.....and I can tell you that every water change is an improvement in my tank. it is a major chore to do 50% every week even with the Python no-soill, but it makes such a difference I am doing it as often as possible. Its actually a benefit for me to have spent so much money on a big tank because it forced me to:

1. Be more proactive to learn things I didn't know or understand before.

2. Stay diligent with maintenance so I don't waste my investment.

Truthfully I had tanks when I was younger that were the throw em in and feed them variety and everything seemed "OK". I would have laughed my butt off if someone told me I had to empty half my tank back then. It wasn't until I did proper maintenance that I saw the real health and growth potential of my fish. Get the right tools for the job and its worth it.

Though I used to think that 25-30% weekly on my tank was ok, within the last month or so I've decided to do minimum 50-60% weekly, prefferably more if I have the time. (I have to do it with a 3.5g bucket, so it takes some time)

i totally agree with dorkfish's response. there is no set schedule. it depends on the particular situation in YOUR tank(s). the way you know for sure when to do a water change is to test your water early and often. if there is ANY ammonia or nitrite, do a water change as soon as possible. if nitrate is high (how high is up to some debate, but i strive for less than 12-15 ppm), a water change is also recommended.

for people with small and/or overstocked tanks, frequent water changes are necessary, and their test results will say so. for those with larger and less stocked tanks, they can get away with less tank cleaning because waste production will not be as fast, relative to water volume.

the only way you can get a feel for your tank's capacity for waste buildup, you must test your water.

Newbie101balla said:

Everthing your saying makes alot of sense to me but my question is this dont you take out alot of the benificial bacteria when you do water changes 2 times a week like some of you and it seems like your taking our 30-50% of it wouldent it be like starting the tank all over again

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No, specifically because the bacteria shouldn't be free-floating in the water column. It takes hold in your gravel and filter media, which is why the bio-wheel design is nice, because it provides both an area for the aerobic bacteria to take hold and get all of your aquarium's water over it, and an area for the anaerobic bacteria to take hold and get all of your aquarium's water over it too.