Tanks with live plants

[mellowvision]

if you really want to avoid water changes, from what I read the only real option is building a walstad style tank, in which the water is changed every 6 months. these tanks require a lot of procedural set up, and can not support fish for several months when beginning... but can be very low maintenance once in motion. there is a lot more info out there... I'd post a link, but it would be to a competing forum, and I don't want to ruffle any feathers. do a google search for Diana Walstad!

 

[Plecosterone]

I do 30 - 50% per week without having a huge bioload. One reason is that there is a lot of nutrients in my water that I don't have to dose. I also helps to know what is in your water supply so you don't overdose certain nutrients. I never dose phosphate because of this. If I did, I would be running into all kinds of algae problems.