No Water Changes Seriously ? Surely Not

[bae1994]

Well I've just been reading a thread and supercoley said he does no water changes for extended periods of time eg year

My question Ive been doing 40ltr water change weekly on my rio 400 (after water displacement probably 350ltr) and getting reasonable growth on crypts and swords and good growth on some of my Vallis my question is do I need to do water changes / will I get better growth with or without them?

Tanks stats

Volume=350 litre ish
Lights=three 40w t8 4ft bulbs
Filter=APS 2000- 2000 lph with full length 5ft spray bar
Flow= sun sun 3000 lph power head
Substrate= jbl manado under substrate black sand on top
Ferts= dennerle root tabs
Stock= 14 neons-6 khuli loaches- tons of cherry shrimp 3 amano shrimp 2 bee shrimp


Final stock to be

50 neons
15 peppered cory's
2 whiptais
14 otos
10 dwarf neon rainbows
cherry shrimp
5 sparkling gouramis
6 khuli loaches


Any helps appreciated Atb bae

 

[SchottayB]

I'm not sure on your question, but I know 3 - 4 people who never change the water in there aquariums... maybe once or twice a year. And they never have fish deaths / problems... weird

 

[StandbySetting]

I doubt the lack of water changes will have much affect on growth, the whole point in a low tech system is to have it running as self sufficiently as possible, except for feeding obviously, on my low tech set up I did water changes every 6 months, and providing your plants are capable of dealing with nitrate build ups then there shouldn't be any problems (there shouldn't be anyway, levels of up to 400PPM have been shown to be safe), chances are they're utilising ammonium instead of nitrate anyway, thus reducing the load on your filter, one point I would like to raise is that open top set ups will contain more toxins from aerosols and other items you may use around the house so I'd recommend more frequent water changes on these setups.

If you can see if you can get hold of Diana Walstad's book from your library, you'll find it an interesting read.

 

[bae1994]

Umm I don't mind the water changes but if I will get better growth I'm all for it

 

[StandbySetting]

Light is the limiting factor with plant growth, so as long as nutrients aren't lacking as things are the frequency of water changes wont make much of a difference to plant growth.

 

[bae1994]

So I'm fine to do monthly water changes

 

[lljdma06]

If you read Walstad's stuff, you'll find that she does indeed perform waterchanges in the beginning. IMO, this is essential for ammonia removal and general cleaning in the beginning of a system's life, at least, IMO. Many planted tanks crash in the beginning because they are not kept very clean. We see this happen all the time here. People rigid with the guidelines. If the method says do a waterchange once a week, they'll do it once a week. Gotta watch your own tank, though, and be flexible with "guidelines". Some need more frequent changes than that. Even SuperColey's tank started with pretty regular waterchanges. After the tank matures, then it depends on the system. My current one goes about a month between changes, but because my crypts get mad if I don't. They melt a little and I think they like regular replenishmenbt of the water's mineral content.

Liz

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I doubt the lack of water changes will have much affect on growth, the whole point in a low tech system is to have it running as self sufficiently as possible, except for feeding obviously, on my low tech set up I did water changes every 6 months, and providing your plants are capable of dealing with nitrate build ups then there shouldn't be any problems (there shouldn't be anyway, levels of up to 400PPM have been shown to be safe), chances are they're utilising ammonium instead of nitrate anyway, thus reducing the load on your filter, one point I would like to raise is that open top set ups will contain more toxins from aerosols and other items you may use around the house so I'd recommend more frequent water changes on these setups.

If you can see if you can get hold of Diana Walstad's book from your library, you'll find it an interesting read.

Saying that Supercoley's tank is open topped.

 

[StandbySetting]

I doubt the lack of water changes will have much affect on growth, the whole point in a low tech system is to have it running as self sufficiently as possible, except for feeding obviously, on my low tech set up I did water changes every 6 months, and providing your plants are capable of dealing with nitrate build ups then there shouldn't be any problems (there shouldn't be anyway, levels of up to 400PPM have been shown to be safe), chances are they're utilising ammonium instead of nitrate anyway, thus reducing the load on your filter, one point I would like to raise is that open top set ups will contain more toxins from aerosols and other items you may use around the house so I'd recommend more frequent water changes on these setups.

If you can see if you can get hold of Diana Walstad's book from your library, you'll find it an interesting read.

Saying that Supercoley's tank is open topped.

It all depends on what items you use, I'm not familiar with Andy's current set up, but polar chemicals will all dissolve into the water column.

 

[bae1994]

So how long until I can see to how often I need to change the water

to be honest I'm 4 days over due now for a water change As I've pulled my neck out so gotta do one soon

Bae

 

[aaronnorth]

I went over a year without a water change too on my 216l (see sig) and I only stopped because I sold the tank lol. I agree with llj though, you need to be keeping on top of any ammonia spike fir the first few months so weekly water changes are essential.
I started off running it as a high tech tank, 50% daily water changes for a week, dropped to 50% once a week. I then stopped the CO2 & high light as I didnt have the time to maintain it and I gradually eased it out to one water change every 2 weeks, then monthly, then every 6months... and then none
You have almost identical lighting levels to me aswell.

Aaron

 

[dayzofspeed]

i cant remember the last water change i did on my 240l and everything was fine i did sometimes test the water though, i've had no fish deaths for a good while and they are strong and healthy, no algae and reasonable plant growth on a low tech system ie 2 t8's and internal filter

 

[nurglespuss]

My main tank gets topped up for evaporation, but only gets water change once a month, no problems.

I think with a good feeding regime and a good filter (and without too much clutter) its perfectly OK.

 

[coldcazzie]

Usually the reason I clean mine is because I can't bare looking at the mulm anymore that takes about 3-4 weeks at the moment. More plants may help... (out of sight, out of mind?)

 

[PDSimon]

I went over a year without a water change too on my 216l (see sig) and I only stopped because I sold the tank lol. I agree with llj though, you need to be keeping on top of any ammonia spike fir the first few months so weekly water changes are essential.
I started off running it as a high tech tank, 50% daily water changes for a week, dropped to 50% once a week. I then stopped the CO2 & high light as I didnt have the time to maintain it and I gradually eased it out to one water change every 2 weeks, then monthly, then every 6months... and then none
You have almost identical lighting levels to me aswell.

Aaron

Did you dose anything whilst it was waterchange free? ferts/carbo?