Water Changes / Gravel Vac

[Deleted member 55926]

So water changes help reduce nitrates in the tank, and cleaning the gravel helps to pick up all the stuff that will otherwise rot and cause nitrates, right?

I'm just wondering, are there other reasons to do regular water changes and clean the gravel? My nitrate is always low (5ppm at max), so I'm wondering in what other way not doing a water change or vac would be toxic to the fish.

 

[Truck]

To replenish minerals, I never gravel vac, I don't need to, I like to leave my substrate undisturbed as it allows anaerobic bacteria to develop, which can take care of some nitrate.

 

[Gilli]

I disagree - think you should always gravel vac once a week when water changing. Water changing does a number of things. It gets rid of excess poo and uneaten food so your ammonia & nitrites dont go up because the bacteria cant handle an overload. It puts back the minerals that have been used up. It also simulates a change in seasons - in the wild changes in temperature and rain will indicate the breeding season so it will stimulate your fish to breed.

Dont worry about low nitrates - even if you have 0 it doesnt matter - it only matters if they get sky high! As long as your ammonia and nitrites are at 0 all is well!