I'm more of a "I should change 40-50% a week" approach. I have no plants and already have 10-20 ppm Nitrate from source (tap water). I think if i had 0 ppm Nitrate, without plants, I'd still aim for 40-50% water change per week.
I'm not planning to reduce my water changes or looking for an excuse to reduce the percentage and frequency.
I'd just like to know some more science behind it, or even if you are not sure of the science, your own opinions.
Apart from "it feels like the right thing to do" why are we doing it? The first thing that comes to mind is that our fish are swimming around in their own pee, poo and vomit (to a degree). Do fish vomit? Maybe after a night out on the town, not sure? However, people who subscribe to the "I don't do water changes regardless of what other people tell me" always come back with "the plants" or "the ecosystem" takes care of it (Father Fish style?). I also believe "fresh" water probably has healing properties for fish, or encourages the healing process. Even if fish are not fighting, they can pick up knocks and scrapes.
I genuinely am not trying to reduce my own water change routine. I believe it's in the interests of my fish and set up. I'm just looking to (a) satisfy my curiosity and (b) having a somewhat insightful answer to anyway that asks why I aim for a 40-50% a week water change. In all honestly, I probably average 40% or 50% every 10-12 days.
Also, do plants absorb anything other than ammonia and nitrate in terms of them potentially reducing the need for water changes?
I do plan to do some wider reading and will post back anything of interest.
I know one "science" reason is minerals or "buffers" to help prevent a pH "crash". Father Fish gets round this by having a substrate that contains about 22 different ingredients I think, to keep things from going too acidic.
I realise loads depends on tank bio load and volume of water etc, etc, and etc x1000
I'm not planning to reduce my water changes or looking for an excuse to reduce the percentage and frequency.
I'd just like to know some more science behind it, or even if you are not sure of the science, your own opinions.
Apart from "it feels like the right thing to do" why are we doing it? The first thing that comes to mind is that our fish are swimming around in their own pee, poo and vomit (to a degree). Do fish vomit? Maybe after a night out on the town, not sure? However, people who subscribe to the "I don't do water changes regardless of what other people tell me" always come back with "the plants" or "the ecosystem" takes care of it (Father Fish style?). I also believe "fresh" water probably has healing properties for fish, or encourages the healing process. Even if fish are not fighting, they can pick up knocks and scrapes.
I genuinely am not trying to reduce my own water change routine. I believe it's in the interests of my fish and set up. I'm just looking to (a) satisfy my curiosity and (b) having a somewhat insightful answer to anyway that asks why I aim for a 40-50% a week water change. In all honestly, I probably average 40% or 50% every 10-12 days.
Also, do plants absorb anything other than ammonia and nitrate in terms of them potentially reducing the need for water changes?
I do plan to do some wider reading and will post back anything of interest.
I know one "science" reason is minerals or "buffers" to help prevent a pH "crash". Father Fish gets round this by having a substrate that contains about 22 different ingredients I think, to keep things from going too acidic.
I realise loads depends on tank bio load and volume of water etc, etc, and etc x1000
