How Many Times Do You Change Water In Plant Tank?

[blappy]

In a planted tank (as in the plants fill the majority of the tank), how many times do you change the water, given if you don't have a filter, and have fish living in it?

I'm just wondering because I want to know the effectiveness of plant's filtration techniques. I never had a full planted tank. Didn't have the money :3 I just have some plants here and there in my tank and do weekly water changes.

I just want to know if plants make a good difference in filtration and oxygen, because sometimes I get blackouts and the filters and air pump doesn't work. I get scared. :3

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Google the Walstead method, should help a little as I'm not an expert on it.

 

[RadaR]

In a planted tank that recieves CO2 injection or liquid carbon supplements then you should perform large weekly water changes.
In a non-CO2 tank then you can get away without doing water changes more often. Some El natural tanks like Diana Walstead stylee will get maybe 3 water changes a year.

 

[blappy]

I don't plan to use co2 injections. Not when my fish are in there.

Oh cool I never heard of this Diana Walstead. Ok so only minimal water change are needed I see. Thanks so much for informing me.

 

[ATK!!!]

Your tank would need to be stocked slowly and more lightly than usual though, every pro has it's con...

 

[coldcazzie]

The Walstad method takes work at first. Heavy planting from the outset, a good substrate, daily water changes for a few weeks, light slow stocking as previously mentioned. I've done a lot of reading up for it for a tank I'm setting up, it's not as simple as just throw some plants in and stop changing the water.

 

[ATK!!!]

You'd probably be much better off just doing a relatively low tech tank instead. If you keep the lighting to lower levels then you wont be needing as many water changes or added nutrients/Co2 anyway. Just remember that if you get more fast growing plants from the start you wont be having to worry as much about algae. After the tank has been established you can slack back on those water changes more, but I would still reccomend you don't take that too far.