With an overstocked tank, how effective are partial water changes? (20%-30%)My fishes appear healthy and no visual signs of distress.
Overstock/nitrate level
- Thread starter damion
- Start date
not sure if I understand the question :huh: ...How effective are partial water changes in reducing nitrate? Water changes and plants are about the only effective measures. But a partial water change of that size should be done weekly. Do you mean doing that more often :huh: Or does this question relate to the health/happiness of the fish?
Doesn't matter the tank size or fish stock. Trying to figure out whether more water changes and anything else could help lower the nitrates.
I'll try the plants to see if that contributes to lowering the nitrates
I'll try the plants to see if that contributes to lowering the nitrates
Why does it not matter? Water changes and plants will help bring them down. Plants eat them, while water changes remove them. Also 30% may not be enought, try 50-75%. Just because the look fine, doset mean that they ARE fine.
When I said the size or number of fishes doesn't matter it's because whether it's 10 or 100 gal tank with a certain number of fishes, the answer probably would be the same- overstocked right? That's already stipulated in the initial post.
I'll try going on higher percentage of water changes.
I'll try going on higher percentage of water changes.
There are different levels of overstocked'ness'. Lets say I have a Pacu in a 10g, and a Pacu in a 100g. Sure both are overstocked, but the 10g is overstocked more than the other.
Yes more/larger water changes will lower nitrate levels, as long as the change water isn't already high in nitrates (hopefully not).
If you plan on trying plants, make sure you can provide good growing conditions for them or else they may die and add to the problem.
I'm also curious just how overstocked the tank we're talking about is.
If you plan on trying plants, make sure you can provide good growing conditions for them or else they may die and add to the problem.
I'm also curious just how overstocked the tank we're talking about is.
The last time I had plants, they kept dying (turning brown). I've gone to different lfs and was told anywhere from leaving too much light to not enough. One did recommend buying a C02 device though which I'm not inclined to do.
As for the different level of overstockness, I apologize for any misuderstanding. I meant the tank has more fish than usual not the 1 fish in a small tank because the obvious suggestion would be a larger tank in both cases. Right?
As for the different level of overstockness, I apologize for any misuderstanding. I meant the tank has more fish than usual not the 1 fish in a small tank because the obvious suggestion would be a larger tank in both cases. Right?
Different plants, need different things, just like fish (and humans
). Some need low light and no C02, some need lots of light and C02.
I guess so :huh:
). Some need low light and no C02, some need lots of light and C02.I guess so :huh: