How often

[OrkyBetta]

I've heard some say 10% every week, some say 20% every other week, others still swear on 30-50% monthly. What do you think?

 

[Torrean]

I got a pamphlet from my lfs that says do 25% monthly. But I say do a water change when your nitrates go up or when your gravel get's nasty, basically 25% bi-weekly sounds pretty good to me. Most people on here have recommended 25% weekly though. BTW everything I have read (off of tff) says to never do more than a 25% water change at one time. Also whenever you do a water change turn off your heater. and filter if the water level get's close to the intake.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Ok. Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

It depends on a lot of things. The tank size, type & amount of fish, type of filtration, plants or not, all have to be taken into consideration. If you are asking about your 10 with the 2 neons, 20% every other week should be fine.

Tolak

 

[CFC]

The simple answer is as often as possible, you can never do too many water changes. I do at least 25% twice a week and if i have time then i do small 5% changes every day.

 

[Torrean]

oh yeah i forgot about plants. I read in a book i have that If you have a properly balanced tank (fish to plant ratio) then you don't need to feed your fish change the water, clean the gravel, or anything, I assume this is a very difficult balance to maintain though. If anyone knows this to be unture then let me know. The book is a little old.

 

[Jen]

I do around 30% every 2 - 3 weeks. If i do it more often, it seems that my water gets all messed up and cloudy.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Good info, everyone. Yes, I am talking about my first tank I started yesterday. The 10 gal with the 2 neons. It is just good for reference so I know what to do when I get more tanks. I think the 20% every other week should suffice.

 

[GSD]

i do 25% once a week but i am quite heavily stocked!

 

[morgan]

I always changed 20% once a fortnight but since I have bought a Bristlenosed Plec I am going to change 20% a week. They produce a lot of "waste" !

 

[patti_n_jojo]

id say 15 to 20 percent keeps u clean and clear. i do that every sunday, in fact its time 2 do mine now

 

[Synirr]

I clean my tanks whenever I see a lot of oscar poo on the bottom of the 80 gallon... which is about once a week. I just siphon all the poo off the bottom of the 80 gallon, which usually ends up being about 20% of the water, then do about 25-50% on the smaller tanks
I like doing large water changes so I know the water is clean

 

[astroboy]

BTW everything I have read (off of tff) says to never do more than a 25% water change at one time

you can change as much water as you want, as long as the new water has roughly the same parameters as your tank water. I change 50-60% on my pred tanks weekly.

I read in a book i have that If you have a properly balanced tank (fish to plant ratio) then you don't need to feed your fish change the water, clean the gravel, or anything, I assume this is a very difficult balance to maintain though. If anyone knows this to be unture then let me know. The book is a little old.

Plants will metabolize component of the nitrogen cycle, meaning it will lower nitrates. BUT, nitrates are just an indication of waste levels in your tank, there are numerous other pollutants that water changes reduce.