How frequently to change water? 20 Gal

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boon4376

AC Members
Aug 30, 2012
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Maine
Hi Everyone,

I know this must be a very common question - but I always see a lot of different answers, especially depending on where I'm looking.
So I figured i would list my tank specs and get opinions.

6 leopard danios
5 assorted guppies
1 balloon molly
1 creamscicle molly
1 betta
3 x-ray tetra

I have a 20gal long tank, with light planting.

I've been figuring 6 gallons of water changes per week would be just fine. However, i read some people do that monthly, others do that every other day.

Suggestions?
 
I change 50% of the water in all my tanks once a week. I have had tanks from 5 gallons to 180. Planted, not planted. Heavily stocked, or lightly stocked. 50% once a week has always worked well for me.
 
I just watch my tanks, and according to how they are looking/testing, and according to how busy I am, I change 25-40% every 4-7 days. TBH I really don't think they NEED this much. Neither tank is overstocked and they are both "over filtered" and pretty heavily planted - but I kind of think the more WCs the better the tanks do. I have growing fish in both my tanks and one of the things the WCs do is remove growth restricting hormones released by the fish. I think it's like anything - within reason, there is a wide range of acceptable maintenance schedules that won't kill the fish. But someone who cleans their house for 2 hours twice a week is going to have a much cleaner house than someone who cleans their house for 2 hours once a month. PROBABLY neither cleaning regime would earn you a spot on the show Hoarders although to some degree it also matters who lives in the house and how messy they are, and how big the house is... My point is just that I don't think there is one right answer but I have drunk the kool-aid here and think that more is usually better.
 
I change 25% of my 20g per week and about every month or so I will do a 50% water change.
 
i always recommend a weekly 50% water change on any tank that is appropriately stocked and filtered. another vital recommendation is to have a good quality test kit so that you know what your nitrate readings are and can adjust your water change schedule/amount accordingly. regular testing also gives you a 'base line' for your ammonia, nitrite, and ph readings. this way you'll know exactly what is going on when your tank is healthy and it is easier and faster to diagnose an issue when your fish are 'off' or ill.
 
I take as much water as I need (no more than 50%) for my water to come out clear when I'm siphoning the gravel. So when I'm satisfied with my water, then I stop. I usually change about 25% of the water.. but I have taken out as much as 50% if I haven't been keeping up every week.

* I have a 25 gallon with real plants and over 25 small fish in it and a pretty big pleco (so overstocked a little) with a meh filter.*

You'll know how much you need to take out with experience. :P
 
I change 25% weekly, then about once a month (or so) I change 50%.
 
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