I have a 55 gallon aquarium and I do a 20% water change monthly. Is that enough of a water change? I once went to another forum to get advice and wasn't able to get much advice, but you all have been very helpful and I really thank you for all of the good advice, even though I do feel a little dumb now.
Safe number of water changes
- Thread starter pkdiaz
- Start date
Don't feel dumb. This is a hobby that lots of people have for years without really learning anything about their tank. You're taking steps to become an informed aquariast, and that's good.
Water changes are usually done as RTR advises--when the nitrAte levels rise. I do 20% changes on my planted 40 once a week. Other tanks are changed more frequently, or less, depending on the stocking level and such.
I'd measure the nitrates, and see where they are now. Start doing more often, and see if this helps stabilize the pH and KH levels. You may need to do more to begin with, just to get your tank back in balance. Testing should guide your actions.
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/ --I apologize for typos!
Water changes are usually done as RTR advises--when the nitrAte levels rise. I do 20% changes on my planted 40 once a week. Other tanks are changed more frequently, or less, depending on the stocking level and such.
I'd measure the nitrates, and see where they are now. Start doing more often, and see if this helps stabilize the pH and KH levels. You may need to do more to begin with, just to get your tank back in balance. Testing should guide your actions.
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/ --I apologize for typos!
That hurts...that really hurts.It's o.k. though. We all have been frazzled at one time or another. Just hang in there and keep asking questions.
Definitely don't add medications if there is no problem, especially at regular intervals. Fish process toxins (i.e. some medications like quick cure, formalin/formaldehyde) slowly so that any regular addition can accumulate in the fish and make them sick, sluggish, and die.
BTW- aquariums hold fish, that's something I know!
you should do a 20%-25% water change every week to keep the nitrates down. The fish will be better off.
The myth of set percentage changes...
pkdiaz - there are things some folk already know, or are learning, that are new to others. That is why we have these boards, to share info and experience. All of us are "feeling dumb" in some areas - none of us knows it all or this would not be an art - we have some of the science, but not anywhere near all, or even enough.
One of the great aquarium myths is that if you change xx% of your water at y-interval, then you and your fish will be fine. Beeep!! False. Every tank is different, houses different dish, is fed different foods, uses different water, different filters, etc. There is no magic number. All you have to do is find the number that works for your tank under your care, and use it for youir partials. Then you do need to check it at times (I suggest at least monthly) because fish and your habits change over time, so you may need to change the number for that particular tank.
We use nitrates (because they are easily measured) but they serve as a hint of general pollution levels - if nitrates are up, so are phenols and all manner of DOC (dissolved organic compounds or dissolved organic carbon). We can'r test for all DOC, so we use nitrates.
In planted tanks, as OG mentioned, we have to wing it - plants use nitrate, so tests don't help us there. We select a partial percentage that seems in line with our other non-planted tanks and do that size change. That we do on faith, not data.
Bit by bit, we learn - all of us, not just novices.
pkdiaz - there are things some folk already know, or are learning, that are new to others. That is why we have these boards, to share info and experience. All of us are "feeling dumb" in some areas - none of us knows it all or this would not be an art - we have some of the science, but not anywhere near all, or even enough.
One of the great aquarium myths is that if you change xx% of your water at y-interval, then you and your fish will be fine. Beeep!! False. Every tank is different, houses different dish, is fed different foods, uses different water, different filters, etc. There is no magic number. All you have to do is find the number that works for your tank under your care, and use it for youir partials. Then you do need to check it at times (I suggest at least monthly) because fish and your habits change over time, so you may need to change the number for that particular tank.
We use nitrates (because they are easily measured) but they serve as a hint of general pollution levels - if nitrates are up, so are phenols and all manner of DOC (dissolved organic compounds or dissolved organic carbon). We can'r test for all DOC, so we use nitrates.
In planted tanks, as OG mentioned, we have to wing it - plants use nitrate, so tests don't help us there. We select a partial percentage that seems in line with our other non-planted tanks and do that size change. That we do on faith, not data.
Bit by bit, we learn - all of us, not just novices.
Thanks everyone for your assistance. I did daily water changes until I got the PH where I wanted it and my fish all have good color now, although they seem to be lazy to me. I quit putting all of the additives in. Now I only add water. Hopefully everything will be alright now.
Great, stick with it and the tank will stay stable - slow drifts over extended time are really hard to detect.
High Nitrates = Low Ph. In other words, if the nitrate level is high, it will decrease your PH. Whethor it is the Nitrates or the other chemicals that build up that is not measurable is causing the lowering of your ph. There is a big Hoop-rah as to the impacts of high nitrates. Personally, I dont think the nitrates itself have such a big impact on the fishes health (some poeple say otherwise). I do believe that high nitrates is an indicator as to the levels of the other compounds which can be hazerdous to your fish.
There are test kits that give you one safe level and some poeple that give another. I seen them (from different sources) fluctuate from 20-60ppm as a goal to set for your nitrates in you tank. 0ppm being the Ideal. I always believe 0ppm is the goal you should have. HOWEVER, I also believe that you should anilyze the TYPE of fish. Some fish cannot tolerate nitrates at all (discuss). While many others can tolerate levels to 100+ppm safely. Unfortunatly, I lost the website that calculates this for certain species. I dont think one person or source can give you a maximum nitrate level that is safe for your tank. Your going to have to take into account all the fish. The fish species that has the lowest maximum Nitrate level of all the fish in your tank is the level you should set at as a guideline.
There are test kits that give you one safe level and some poeple that give another. I seen them (from different sources) fluctuate from 20-60ppm as a goal to set for your nitrates in you tank. 0ppm being the Ideal. I always believe 0ppm is the goal you should have. HOWEVER, I also believe that you should anilyze the TYPE of fish. Some fish cannot tolerate nitrates at all (discuss). While many others can tolerate levels to 100+ppm safely. Unfortunatly, I lost the website that calculates this for certain species. I dont think one person or source can give you a maximum nitrate level that is safe for your tank. Your going to have to take into account all the fish. The fish species that has the lowest maximum Nitrate level of all the fish in your tank is the level you should set at as a guideline.
