How often do you?

[bludevil12]

Hey guys, wanted to get some input on cleaning/replacing filters etc.

How often do you:

Change water in the tank?
Clean the gravel/decorations etc?
Replace the filter?

 

[Kasakato]

1) Every week- 50%
2) See above
3) I wash it out in old tank water evey 2 weeks, replace when its falling apart.

 

[mishi8]

Change water in the tank? - 25% or more per week
Clean the gravel/decorations etc? - once per week
Replace the filter? - rinse in old tank water once per week, only replace when it's falling apart

Note: I also test my water once per week. I will also change water more often when necessary.

 

[beautifulfish]

I clean my tank every month..ya bad but hey! It works! I have a 40 gal on a 29 gal so it helps a little..I have live plants so I don't have to clean them...other decor. about once a month if dirty...and I replace my filter pad thingy once a month

 

[Blueiz]

I do a 20-30 percent water change once a week, never vaccum my gravel, rinse my filter media as needed (when water starts to slow)-replace when falling apart, test nitrites-ammonia-nitrates weekly. I found that the less I mess with the cycle once it starts the better my aquariums are. Never had a problem with any diseases.

 

[svtcontour]

25% water change a week, gravel cleaning once a month and canister filter media cleaning once ever 2 months. Everyone is great. I do have live plants in the tank and its not way over stocked either.

 

[reignman40]

1) Once per week - 30-40%
2) Gravel vacuum once every 2 weeks (never needed to clean any of my fake decor)
3) Rinse once a week in treated water and replace every 3-4 weeks.

I'd like to say I test my water regularly but I honestly don't. I tested at least once a week the first month or two. Now I test once every 2-3 weeks just to make sure levels are still ok. Will switch water changes to 20-30% bi-weekly if I notice nitrates consistently higher right before the water change. Normally right now they usually hit around 40 right before my change. I should switch to twice per week, working on fitting that into my schedule.

 

[Tetras_Rule33]

If your going to take out 25-30 percent of the water, you mine as well vacuum that much out with the crap also. Thats what I do. I use the vacuum intil like 30 percent is gone and then i put new water in. Clean the filter every month and dont clean the fake plants and such.

 

[lilsexyred]

i do a weekly water change of 30-40 % and i have been changing the filter when i do water changes i didnt know we could just rinse them out no wonder i been spending so much money on filters

 

[Raskolnikov]

1) 50-75% weekly. 50%+ every other day for the fry.
2) During PWCs
3) At least once a month I rinse out all the media, but I shoot for once every 2 weeks when I have the time.