Water Changes - The "correct" way

[yhbae]

10 guppies in 20g (high) is not exactly what I would call low biomass...

Anyhow, it works for him, he hasn't killed any guppies so he must be doing many things right...

 

[Canuck]

Most people seem to be assuming the only possible way to have a biofilter is the filter. By changing his media regularly his filter is a strictly mechanical filter and he has promoted the growth of bacterial colonies within the aquarium. With gravel and decorations, there is more then adequate surface area in any aquarium for huge bacterial colonies. The bacteria only need food, oxygen, water, and surface area, they don't have to live in a filter. A major advantage to his method of maintenance is that his biofilter is probably more resilient then those within a conventional filter. For example with a power outage his biofilter will not starve or suffocate due to a pump no longer working. Another problem with conventional filters is that their removal, replacement, or damage causes a re-cycle of the tank. I think it very likely that it would take a huge disturbance in his tank before his tank ever went through a mini-cycle

 

[Kevin007]

His response: Since his old water changing schedule as worked. He as taken a new approach. He agrees that changing one cartridge at a time is correct, but it is not necessary to do so. The filter is clogged as a result and a new cartridge, which will improve the water flow is even more beneficial to the tank. Its been 6 months since he did a water change.

- the longer he goes without a water change, the more "bacteria" in the tank itself
- about to change 50% water + both filter cartridge today + clean the sand

He says there will be no problem because there is enough bacteria in the tank itself to prevent a mini cycle even with 2 filter cartridges replaced.

He must be doing everything right if they are healthy. The main "goal" of fish keeping is to keep them alive and healthy and he has done so.

 

[ct-death]

His response: Its been 6 months since he did a water change.

TDS and other issues are a major concern when you go this long between water changes.

- the longer he goes without a water change, the more "bacteria" in the tank itself
- about to change 50% water + both filter cartridge today.

There is a balance of bacteria to the need of the environemnt (amount of nutrients available). Bacterias would not "build-up" jus bc/ it's been a longer period betwene changes. This simply is not true.

He says there will be no problem because there is enough bacteria in the tank itself to prevent a mini cycle even with 2 filter cartridges replaced.

This is true, but not for the reasons he is thinking.

Lastly, given large WCs after a prolonged period of no maintenance can cause shock as the pH, TDS, nitrAtes, etc. will all flucuate dramatically.

It is not uncommon to bring say nitrAtes from 140, 180+ ppm down to <40ppm just by doing a large WC (ie. 80%+). The same is true for the other parameters...

2 weeks is one thing, 6 months are another.

 

[Canuck]

Apologies, I misread the original post. I would never advocate a regime that did not include regular water changes.

 

[jencheung]

Not to hijack the OP's thread, but just to add on... How does one convince someone who has a tank, only does water changes say 3 times a year (otherwise just topping off for evaporation) and overfeeds, but has seemingly healthy fish that he's not doing what's right for his fish? I mean, the argument is hard to make in the face of fish that seem to be happy and healthy, especially if they're educated on the nitrogen cycle and how biofiltration works.

 

[shawnhu]

It's not unheard of that some people only change water several times a year. But these are normally planted, and low stocked tanks. It takes a lot of trial and error, or knowledge in the hobby to accomplish this. You know the saying, "you're either an idiot, or a genious". His guppies being still alive might make him the latter of the two.

 

[bazil323]

The two main points here is that 1. the fish are more susceptible to getting sick and 2. their life spans will be shorter.

Yes, right now they may be fine. Seem healthy and vigorous even. BUT, they are far more likely to suddenly develop a bad case of fin rot, ich, etc. or have a cycle which will kill them even more quickly.

Yes, they might seem healthy and vigorous all their life, but they might die at 1 year rather than 5 years.

Oh, yeah, and guppies are like the cockroach of the fish world. It takes quite a bit to kill them. They can survive in less than ideal conditions. But that's what they are doing--surviving. They aren't thriving. Yeah, I could live in a heavily polluted area (can you say smog and industry?) and seem healthy. But I'd have a much longer life and be much healthier and happier in a less polluted area with good water, air, and food.

 

[Kevin007]

bump for more input

 

[Mgamer20o0]

he must love wasting money on new filter media since you can just clean it and reuse it. i think that simple fact alone should sell him on that one.......

tell him he will get more guppies if he changes the water each week.