Are Water Changes Actually Necessary?

[gagaliya]

i am not defending kaz, but you guys are mixing things up in the last few posts. Noone is talking about sealed eco system or plants not needing dosing/artificial co2 injection etc..

The point was can healthy plants (using artificial means as needed: dosing, co2, etc..to keep the plants healthy) sustain a fish tank without water change.

On that point, it is not entirely outrageous, many have done it sucessfully, head over to apc forums. I do advocate a 10% water change biweekly/monthly in a heavily planted tank, if nothing else it helps to reduce the shock of nutrient dosing as you can mix it with the water changes.

 

[Fishfriend1]

ok. gaga did u read the whole thread. Sealed ecosystems were mentioned IDK how we got to them but we did mention them b4.

 

[dundadundun]

i didn't read every page, but it appears that there has been no mention of Diana Walstad. her "natural" method for tanks is worth a read for any aquarist (just google her name). she basically describes a set up of a heavily planted tank that requires little maintenance... i'm not sure on the water changes but i think she only tops off the tank or does a water change once a year. she has a book out there explaining the science behind her work.

i have suggested "ecology of the planted tank" for reading. i will say that diane definitely DOES NOT suggest never doing water changes... more like keeping stock very low and plant mass very high to stretch them out time wise.

 

[jpappy789]

All comparisons to the earth and ecosystems needs to stop. Honestly, if you think you can create a self sufficient living "world" in your little glass box then you need help. It is impossible to recreate the complex biogeochemical processes that occur on a global scale within the confines of an aquarium.

Enough scientific jargon has been presented so I wont dive into anymore of that since it's mainly being ignored...

Anyways, I think the basis of both arguments boil down to the "survive vs. thrive" idea. I do not doubt that the OP's fish lived in the conditions he/she mentioned but that is not the goal for a lot of fish keepers...especially those who are members of AC. I would much rather "labor" over my tank and do "unnecessary" water changes if I knew that it would ensure that my fish were healthy and happy (we can only assume). If you can find a perfect middle ground then great, but I'll keep doing what I do because I would rather see my fish live out their entire lifespan in conditions that are pleasing to them and also to my eye. Yes, I do keep fish for aesthetic reasons as well as others and I think that is probably the main reason people start out in the hobby. The biology, chemistry, etc. sort of grows on you as you do more research and reading.

You could be right, weekly water changes might not be needed, but do I need to take a shower every day? No, but I think my roommate prefers that I do...and I prefer my tank(s) to look clean and I'm sure on some level the fish do too.

 

[Fishfriend1]

Ok this has nothing to do with this thread but i want to know: can u breed mollies and swordtails and have breedable young?

 

[pinkertd]

This is the question, quoted from the first post:



"What is the reason to do a water change?"

and

"Are they STILL a necessary evil, and if so, why? "

 

[xsdbs]

wow the way this topic is going it's going to be the "NEW LONGEST THREAD" pretty soon.

 

[jpappy789]

wow the way this topic is going it's going to be the "NEW LONGEST THREAD" pretty soon.

#7 in GFW :thumbsup:

 

[platytudes]

Fishfriend, why would you post that here? :OT:

The answer is no: mollies and swordtails are two different species. Mollies are Poecilia, Swordtails are Xiphophorous. Swordtails and platies can interbreed; they are the same species. Mollies and guppies can theoretically interbreed because they, too, are the same species. The same way dogs and coyotes can...but it is not advised.

However, I think most if not all of the platies you see in the shops today have some swordtail in them.

 

[jpappy789]

Fishfriend, why would you post that here? :OT:

The answer is no: mollies and swordtails are two different species. Mollies are Poecilia, Swordtails are Xiphophorous. Swordtails and platies can interbreed; they are the same species. Mollies and guppies can theoretically interbreed because they, too, are the same species. The same way dogs and coyotes can...but it is not advised.

However, I think most if not all of the platies you see in the shops today have some swordtail in them.

Not the same species, just in the same genus.

There is already a thread for this now, anyways.