lazy... or is there really a need, to do it weekly... water change schedule...

[Rusty_Shackleford]

I have 2 tanks with this in... seems pretty good

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1PDH9D6?ref_=icdp_ba_mweb_title_pd_bap_m_grid_rp_fod_0_211_gf&clientRefMarker=pd_bap_m_grid_rp_fod_0_211_gf&heartsTeamIdentifier=buyagain&psc=1&heartDisabled=false

No issues with compaction?

 

[anewbie]

I have 2 tanks with this in... seems pretty good

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1PDH9D6?ref_=icdp_ba_mweb_title_pd_bap_m_grid_rp_fod_0_211_gf&clientRefMarker=pd_bap_m_grid_rp_fod_0_211_gf&heartsTeamIdentifier=buyagain&psc=1&heartDisabled=false

The link you provided is specific to your account SO unless you want to give them your password .... however this link might work better:

https//www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1PDH9D6

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Thanks for picking up the tab on my new sand. I only needed 200 ibs.

 

[anewbie]

Thanks for picking up the tab on my new sand. I only needed 200 ibs.

4 bags of hth pool filter sand - $60.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

4 bags of hth pool filter sand - $60.

50 lbs BDBS $15

 

[anewbie]

50 lbs BDBS $15

So same price but one is inert and fish safe.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

So same price but one is inert and fish safe.

They are both Inert. BDBS is just coal slag. It's probably mined 20 miles.from me.
I have not yet heard one instance of BDBS not being fish safe.

 

[anewbie]

They are both Inert. BDBS is just coal slag. It's probably mined 20 miles.from me.
I have not yet heard one instance of BDBS not being fish safe.

a) frequently it is not pure coal slag
b) get an accurate tds pen and measure the water - put the bds in it - wait a week and measure it again - you might be surprise.

anyway do what you wish after all it is your aquarium not mine.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

a) frequently it is not pure coal slag
b) get an accurate tds pen and measure the water - put the bds in it - wait a week and measure it again - you might be surprise.

anyway do what you wish after all it is your aquarium not mine.

Have you used it and had issues? Really the only issue I've seen is dust if not rinsed well. Many people swear by it.
I could do PFS, but I dont like how sand looks. Look at every biotope tank ever, it's always sand.

 

[anewbie]

Have you used it and had issues? Really the only issue I've seen is dust if not rinsed well. Many people swear by it.
I could do PFS, but I dont like how sand looks. Look at every biotope tank ever, it's always sand.

I tried it once but the one i purchased had metal filings so i tossed it. In the end a lot of people swear by bbs but a lot of people also open threads "why did my fish die"; i'm not going to say there is a correlation between the two events but my rule of thumb for the fishes i keep (of which some are very difficult to replace) play it safe. At this point i'm going to drop out of the discussion.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

I tried it once but the one i purchased had metal filings so i tossed it. In the end a lot of people swear by bbs but a lot of people also open threads "why did my fish die"; i'm not going to say there is a correlation between the two events but my rule of thumb for the fishes i keep (of which some are very difficult to replace) play it safe. At this point i'm going to drop out of the discussion.

And the USDA also has an acceptable limit for the amount of rat droppings found in the food we eat everyday.

 

[f_luxus]

I just want to show you another tank, with Heterandria formosa, wich i keep under the root in a room with no heating. Also 6 water changes a year and no CO2. 50/50 tap an RO water. dKh around 7 GH 9.
No CO2! But also no filtration

I started with filtration and CO2 and switched to Lowtech 3 months ago.

 

[GaryE]

I have minimal filtration on my own version of a Heterandria formosa tank. And I only do 15 or so water changes a year on it, as it's under a window with a huge number of emergent plants tumbling out of it. It's a bit of an experiment, and is the only tank I short change on water changes.
I caught Heterandria in Florida years ago (these ones' ancestors) and saw some of the habitats they were thriving in. Those fish could grow and thrive in an Orlando liquor store. They are tough little things.

 

[Aquaria Pro Aquatics]

I pump, both in and out...so it's really a piece of cake for me... all, not just the bigger group of tanks can be done in a half hour, without lifting a bucket ( but that's literally how busy I am, for at least the next month ) but also thinking about areas with water shortages... and wondering if anyone is willing to admit going longer, or may have tested water, with going to extended water changes...

I had seen a video from another country on Discus fish, and I don't recall the frequency ( but it may have been daily ) but they literally pumped the tanks down to the fish laying on their sides on the bare bottom of the tanks, then began pumping water back in the tanks...

so there are all kinds of ways to skin a cat... I like doing them weekly, when I can... but after 6 months of my regular, I'm not seeing any issues skipping a week or two..

I have walstad tanks I havent water changed since they stabilized. I just monitor them for mineral replinishment and buildup. I correct that with evap water and never take water out except on the rare occasion when I accidentally over dose remineralizers.

Dominick
Aquaria Pro Aquatics

 

[emeraldking]

lazy... or is there really a need, to do it weekly... water change schedule...​

In general, there's really no exact frequency of water changes to tell. Also the amount of water per water change differs per individual tank. There are multiple factors which will tell the amount of water and the frequency of a water change. If the water household in a tank is stable, a water change is not needed. I'm also one of those aquarists who does a lower frequency of water changes. But it's all about balance.

Is a water change needed for a tank...? Of course it is... But again, when it's needed, differs per individual tank.