Plants and Water Changes

[dmtapp]

Seems to me if you have plants in your tank that are metabolizing Nitrates that the levels in the tank would stay lower longer and necessitate fewer water changes and maybe even smaller percentages of changes.

What does anyone think about this? What is your experience. I change 50% weekly in my Mbuna tank and was thinking about adding Jungle Val and Java fern.

I guess that would make me a plant newbie.

 

[reiverix]

Really depends on how your tank is planted. High light/low light, high plant mass, fast growing stems, CO2 injection, etc. Typically, dosing is done daily with a set amount, followed by a weekly 50% water change to reset the tank.

What are your plans with regards to plant mass and how much light do you have in there?

 

[Harlock]

There are things besides nitrates that build up in the water that need to be removed with water changes. Aside from that, I know my tap water in particular has lots of trace minerals that the plants need, so water changes keep them healthy and I am not having to dose traces as often. Stick with weekly water changes even in the planted tank. Maybe RTR will chime in on this one, but I know I have seen him say in the past that he has tried with fewer water changes and plants and fish both seem to do better with weekly changes. I mention this because RTR has forgotten more about aquaria than I'll likely ever know. He's a stud!

 

[Timmain42]

If you're interested in making fewer water changes, you should investigate the PPS or Perpetual Preservation System. Google it, you'll find the info.