I'm Stumped

[kat and james]

i was talking to a friend the other day, about the fish, and water changes filtration etc. and they said, so why if you have really good filtration, and plants (using up the nitrates) do you need to do water changes so often.. or at all..?

stupid me, i couldnt' answer, and i'm still trying to find a really good reason for doing this...?? )

thanks

kat

 

[GeeFish]

i was talking to a friend the other day, about the fish, and water changes filtration etc. and they said, so why if you have really good filtration, and plants (using up the nitrates) do you need to do water changes so often.. or at all..?

stupid me, i couldnt' answer, and i'm still trying to find a really good reason for doing this...?? )

thanks

kat

You still need to add fresh water now and again, like in there real envirionment....a river....rain...etc!

 

[kris-b-]

It depends on how heavily planted it is aswell just a few plants will not remove all the nitrates.

 

[Fella]

i was talking to a friend the other day, about the fish, and water changes filtration etc. and they said, so why if you have really good filtration, and plants (using up the nitrates) do you need to do water changes so often.. or at all..?

stupid me, i couldnt' answer, and i'm still trying to find a really good reason for doing this...?? )

thanks

kat

Because poo looks filthy

 

[kat and james]

oh i know that, but i mean a heavily planted tank, ie 0 nitrates!!

 

[Rodders]

I also understand that the minreals in the water get used up and the water changes replace these minerals as well.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi kat and james

If you don't do water changes, the water will eventually evaporate and you will have to add more water. Since the minerals in the water remain in the tank, they will build up to unhealthy levels.

Also, there are harmful bacteria in every tank, but if the fish are healthy, they aren't harmed. These bacteria will grow on dirt and multiply in water that isn't changed. Then you risk them attacking the fish if the time comes that they are weakened by some kind of stress. It's much safer for them to keep the water fresh.

Besides, while you could live in a closed up house, isn't it much nicer to open the windows and let a little fresh air in once in a while? I believe that the fish probably feel the same way about getting their water changed.

 

[CFC]

The removal of nitrates is just one small part of why regular water changes need to be done. The nitrogen cycle releases organic acids as it breaks down fish waste and rotting food, these organic acids break down the calcium which keeps the pH and hardness stable and over time if the calcium is not replaced it is eventually all used and the pH will crash down to levels too acidic for fish to survive in. Water changes also remove build up of dissolved organic solids which would otherwise remain suspended in the water column and lessen numbers of naturally occuring harmfull bacteria.

 

[kat and james]

perfect.. just what i needed to know!! thank you so much guys.. now when someone asks me that again i can give them an informed answer.. instead of um.. uh.. well.. ya see....???



kat