How do YOU handle your water changes?

Hmarie37 · Oct 29, 2022

Good afternoon!
I am going on almost two months of being a fish owner. I hear different advice on the frequency/amount of water changes necessary for a tank. Because I hear so many different suggestions I’m curious what everyone else does for their tank and how it works for them! I currently have a 20 gal, 4 black skirts, 3 white skirts, 6 neons, 2 coy cats and 2 mystery snails. I have a Fluval 50 filter, and every two weeks will do a 25% water change. I’m just curious as to what everyone else does for their own! (Not necessarily looking for advice as my water is testing perfectly and the fish seem pretty happy) I’d love to hear it! I’ll attach a pic of my tank as well so you guys can see my cuties. (Please don’t judge my dying plants I’m trying to get that part down now that I’ve got the fish care down, just got the plants some flourish and root tabs

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Byron · Oct 29, 2022

The first myth to explode is that tests can determine whether or not a water change is needed. False. While a test may indicate a very serious issue, like ammonia, nitrite, high nitrate or a pH drop, there is no method to test other things that significantly affect fish. There is plenty of data on the enormous benefit of regular and substantial partial water changes. Provided the parameters--these are GH, pH and temperature--are reasonably the same between tap water and tank water, there is nothing but benefit from more water changes. These are intended to maintain stability.

Most of us do a weekly W/C of 50-60-70% of the tank volume. There are times when even more is needed, depending upon the fish, but this minimum should be sufficient.

More info in my article:

Regular Partial Water Changes

Byron Hosking November, 2010 (rev April 2021) Nothing is more important when it comes to aquarium maintenance than regular partial water changes. The adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies here. One frequently reads of products that will reduce the need for...

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