does keeping plans make it so that you do less water changes?

[Sir]

not that i am looking to keep any plants for any reason like that at all. just since plants thrive when surrounded by CO2 and nitrates, i was just wondering if the presence of plants reduced nitrates in tanks enough to make a difference on how often you do water changes.

 

[doreenjoy]

Nitrates aren't the only chemicals that build up in a tank. Fish need fresh water on a regular basis for more reasons than nitrates, IMHO.

 

[IceH2O]

Most of us with planted tanks actually ADD nitrates.

A planted tank with no nitrates is asking for trouble. So while it might help in the short run, the long run is a totally different story.

 

[FishBliss]

I was wondering this same thing myself, so I'm glad the question was asked. To continue the train of thought, if people with planted tanks sometimes even ADD nitrates, then is there a balance that could be achieved where, instead of adding nitrates, one added fishes...

for example:
If you have fish, the tank collects nitrates. If you add plants, the plants eat up the nitrates and need more. Could you fiddle with the plant to fish to water ratio and come up with a more-or-less self sustaining balance?

 

[Squawkbert]

There are people who run "El Natural" or "Natural Planted Tanks" in a low-tech manner who only change their water a couple of times per year. There are forums & stickies on the subject at AquaticPlantCentral - the subject is also the focus of the very readable book by Diana Walstad "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium:..."

 

[midiamin]

Plants are my security blanket in case I miss a water change. On vacation etc.

 

[happybob59]

There are people who run "El Natural" or "Natural Planted Tanks" in a low-tech manner who only change their water a couple of times per year. There are forums & stickies on the subject at AquaticPlantCentral - the subject is also the focus of the very readable book by Diana Walstad "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium:..."

my brother actually ordered that book for my x-mas....

 

[Squawkbert]

You have an excellent brother.

 

[echoofformless]

I change the water in my planted tanks only for the plants honestly enough. I do it to keep up the trace elements.

As far as the really heavily planted tank that I used to have (so much water sprite there was hardly room for the fish) I could let that thing go months without water changes and the fish did wonderful. Not that I would repeat that experiment, but it was an eye opener for me.

 

[AquariumNoob13]

i've been wondering the same thing ever since i got giant val. i'm glad Sir brought it up. also, since plants collect nitrates, then wouldn't the addition of plants help speed up the cycle of a tank? (when it is in the nitrate stage that is)