Do i NEED to change my water????

[SanDiegoRedneck]

Ok so here is my question.

If I have a cycled planted tank where the ammonia is 0 nitrite 0

AND OVER 2 weeks no water change nitrate still less than 5ppm.

Ok so because I have plants that are feeding off the nitrates (also mild food dose for plants) they stay low.

Do I need to change water for copper and other dissolved solids?

I do not have hardness test kit yet. I will get soon.

I JUST WANT some of y'alls opinions on if my tank ecosystem is doing good do I HONESTLY just top off

 

[Naughts]

Yes.
It is strongly recommended that 50% of the water is changed every week. This removes things that we don't test for. Maybe copper and excess plant nutrients, but also pheromones and allermones which are hormones that the fish use to signal to each other; the permanent presence of a stress hormone ("threat" for example) would weaken the fish. Pathogens and parasites will be reduced or eliminated. Many waste products like phosphates build up from dried fish foods, and the fish are basically living in their own toilet regardless of nitrate levels. Heavily stocked tanks, overfeeding or incorrectly stocked communities, make the situation worse.

The other consideration is the stability of the parameters. Where water is changed substantially and regularly, it is close to the tap water. In an emergency water change (illness, medication, toxic contaminant...) the fish won't be shocked by parameters (acidity, hardness and dissolved solids, carbon, gas composition...) that have drifted away from those of the tap/source water.

 

[FishGuest5123]

That’s a good question. Not sure on eco tanks. Let see what others say.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

That’s a good question. Not sure on eco tanks. Let see what others say.

Tds meter will be here tomorrow plus looking for more advanced water testing. So we can really know.

I have been researching water outside of fish keeping. Plus I hydroponically grew pot for 15 years so I'm not new to understanding water

 

[seangee]

Are you talking about a system with no livestock?
If so there may be no compelling reason to change water as long as you stay low tech which you appear to imply.
If you want to get into EI with carbon injection and high lighting the EI system requires massive weekly water changes.

Stability, as suggested by @Naughts is still a factor as your pH will drop over time and there may be a build up of unused nutrients (or "inert" carriers in your food source). Also be aware that just topping up using tap water will change the water chemistry over time and you will end up with a surplus of some minerals as evaporation removes water from the system but not minerals, so if you wanted the chemistry to remain constant you should really top off with RO.

Conversely if the plants consume (and require) some of the minerals present in your source water these would become depleted. So on balance I would still replace water periodically - although probably not the 75% per week I do in my fish tanks.

All the above assumes no livestock. If you do have fish or shrimp there are other necessary reasons to change water besides nitrates.

 

[Byron]

Naughts absolutely nailed it. I could not say it better...so I won't try. And seangee caught the non-fish aspect perfectly too.

Nothing is as important as water changes. The more the better for fish, always.

 

[LostBear]

Yes.
It is strongly recommended that 50% of the water is changed every week. This removes things that we don't test for. Maybe copper and excess plant nutrients, but also pheromones and allermones which are hormones that the fish use to signal to each other; the permanent presence of a stress hormone ("threat" for example) would weaken the fish. Pathogens and parasites will be reduced or eliminated. Many waste products like phosphates build up from dried fish foods, and the fish are basically living in their own toilet regardless of nitrate levels. Heavily stocked tanks, overfeeding or incorrectly stocked communities, make the situation worse.

The other consideration is the stability of the parameters. Where water is changed substantially and regularly, it is close to the tap water. In an emergency water change (illness, medication, toxic contaminant...) the fish won't be shocked by parameters (acidity, hardness and dissolved solids, carbon, gas composition...) that have drifted away from those of the tap/source water.

Good point about the parameters re: emergency changes

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

I am just starting to read, "ecology of the planted aquarium" by Diane walstad.

She advocated for very few water changes with scientific proof. We shal see as I read.

 

[Byron]

I am just starting to read, "ecology of the planted aquarium" by Diane walstad.

She advocated for very few water changes with scientific proof. We shal see as I read.

That is a very different situation. I have that book (it is a wonderful scientific source), and I am a member of Diana's forum, and I have read her articles.

If by "scientific proof for fewer water changes" you mean there are scientific studies that prove fish will be healthier with fewer water changes, such evidence does not exist. Diana has heavily planted tanks with very moderate fish loads (probably about 1/3 of the fish load most of us expect to house in an aquarium) and her emphasis is on plants.

Enjoy the book, it does have considerable reference citings for plant issues. I use mine quite frequently.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

I appreciate everyone giving calm thought out responses.

What a beautiful world we live in where people from around the world can share such situatianally specific information / theories and hypotheses.

 

[LostBear]

I appreciate everyone giving calm thought out responses.

What a beautiful world we live in where people from around the world can share such situatianally specific information / theories and hypotheses.

I like that on this forum I haven't encountered any abuse by anyone, of anyone.

People agree, or disagree, but nobody resorts to foul language or personal comments (at least as far as I can see). It's incredibly refreshing - especially when I've just stepped off Twitter which is a hotbed of nastiness sometimes - well, almost all the time, actually.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I like that on this forum I haven't encountered any abuse by anyone, of anyone.

People agree, or disagree, but nobody resorts to foul language or personal comments (at least as far as I can see). It's incredibly refreshing - especially when I've just stepped off Twitter which is a hotbed of nastiness sometimes - well, almost all the time, actually.

I totally agree. I love it here!

 

[Retired Viking]

It is good that our members are allowed to express their opinions openly and freely and exchange views with respect. I wish we could still do this in the political world without being insulted and dealing with closed minds.