Water Changes

In your 80, the water is much more stable with more water and the extra filtration. I'd keep doing the water changes even if you don't see nitrate reading. I don't think I've ever seen my nitrate test above 0, because of my plants. But, it makes it easier for me to stretch out my water changes and all.
 
ditto.....I feel consistent changes to replenish other nutrients is best...nitrates is just an indicator from a simple home test that shows general conditions. Even with low nitrates wouldn't mean you don't need to replenish other things.
 
Question: Can the plants really suck up that much nitrates? Yes!!!

If you are not already you will probably need to start dosing ferts to get the plants to grow well. Light is only part of the equation for a planted tank.
 
THE V said:
Question: Can the plants really suck up that much nitrates? Yes!!!

If you are not already you will probably need to start dosing ferts to get the plants to grow well. Light is only part of the equation for a planted tank.
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I don't think she needs to start dosing ferts for 2 plants.


You could always check after 10 days, 12 days and 14 days. The max I would put it off is 14. Keep an eye on your fish and make your judgment from there.
 
With such low light I imagine ferts would just grow more algae. I have 2 other planted tanks but with this one it's pretty pointless since 1) It's a mbuna tank and 2) I only have a couple plants in it.

I haven't decided whether to change the schedule or not I was just looking for a discussion :) I might let it go 2 weeks and see what the water is looking like then. I've missed water changes before due to vacations or what not. My fish have always been fine and the water looks great.
 
blue2fyre said:
With such low light I imagine ferts would just grow more algae. I have 2 other planted tanks but with this one it's pretty pointless since 1) It's a mbuna tank and 2) I only have a couple plants in it.

I haven't decided whether to change the schedule or not I was just looking for a discussion :) I might let it go 2 weeks and see what the water is looking like then. I've missed water changes before due to vacations or what not. My fish have always been fine and the water looks great.
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Your 64 W of T8 bulbs is more than enough to grow low light plants pretty well. The 10ppm NO3 is indicative of growing plants sucking up nutrients. Remember the Watt per gallon guideline breaks down with larger tanks. It has more to do with the height of the tank (depth of the water) than it's gallons.

I've got 160 Watts of T12 buls (equivelent to around 128W of T8"s) over my 125 gallon tank and my swords are growing well and making babies. Even with the half dozen goldfish I still have to dose fert's or else I get major algae outbreaks.

On another note if you decrease you water changes you may actually start to see your plants do even worse. When you change the water you are also adding in some needed nutrients for them to grow.
 
The tank is 24 inches high and one of the lights is a 50/50 bulb. I'm still not convinced it's all the plants. Anubias are not nutrient suckers and the val is not doing great. It's only been in the tank for 2 weeks and has lost several leaves. Perhaps the algae is helping since it's growing well. Which in this tank I want.
I am laying blame on my filters. They are doing an excellent job. Each is rated for a 150 gallon tank.
The cichlids are messy and while I may try out a 2 week stretch I imagine I will stick with weekly changes because it's easier to remember and I love keeping my tank clean.
 
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