dolphingrl101

After the tank is cycled, and the fish are in there is it better to do small water changes every few days or a larger change once a week?

Lucy

Usually 25% once a week, week and a half is good, depending on your stock and your nitrate readings.

joy1125

I prefer doing small water changes every day or every other day, plus I do a larger water change at the end of the week when I do my maintenance.

I find the daily small changes keep the water chemistry good. But, I have goldfish and they are huge waste producers (they eat a lot and poop a lot...lol). So for me, it works.

but it's really a personal preference, no right or wrong way to do it. As long as the water is changed regularly, at least once a week. An aquarium is an enclosed environment, and fresh water is absolutely essential for the well-being of the fish.

harpua2002

I do 50-60% water changes weekly on everything but the marine tank. For FW, it works great for me.

Borisbbadd

I do 20% every weekend, and sometimes 10% in the middle of the week.

aquarist48

Hello. I do water changes every 10 days, usually 25g's at a time for my 155g tank. By doing it every 10 days it helps to keep my water chemistry in check and helps to maintain a fairly stable pH level. A good rule of thumb that I like to follow is at least 1/3 of your tank water should be replaced monthly, or even a bit more would be good according to your stocking list as well. Once your tank is established you will know what you need to do and when you need to do it. Keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, pH levels. This will help you to know when it's time for a water change as well. It's very important to try to maintain a stable pH. pH fluctuates over time. Below is a link concerning pH that you might find helpful.
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/articles/107
Best of luck and keep us updated

Craig-D

I think the answer to this question depends on how big a person's tank is and what stock he or she has in it. For me, 25% once a week is what works best. In a week's time my nitrates will jump 10 PPM (usually from 10 to 20 ppm). Since 20 ppm nitrates is as high as I'm comfortable with, that's why my interval is once a week. A 25% water change gets the reading back to 10 ppm.

So in my opinion, you can never go wrong with 25% once a week. But a lesser percentage of water or a longer interval like bi-weekly is probably acceptable for those with bigger and/or more moderately stocked tanks. I think each person has to test their water regularly and figure out what works best for themselves based on their particular situation.

harpua2002

What test kit are you using? A 25% water change would take the nitrate reading from 20 to 15 ppm. A 50% change would be needed for a 50% reduction in nitrate.

Craig-D

That's what I thought as well, but it it seems like it goes from 20 to 10. I'm using the API master test kit. A lot of those red colors look similar on the nitrates cards, so it's possible I'm reading it wrong. But one thing that is sure is that it's reading 10 ppm after the 25% change. The color for 10 ppm is distinct from the others.

oceanrose

Personally I change 25-30% of my water in every tank every week. That said, I can skip a week here or there with no negative results, but, all my tanks are double filtered, and that happens very rarely. I do a good vacuum with the python at the same time.

I've always believed a water change larger than that can throw you into a mini cycle. I might be wrong, but I trust in my bacteria and filters to keep things going well.

gmen4life

i do 20 percent weekly unless i mess around with my media then no water gets changed that week im triple filtered lol and also depends on your stock and bio load....i see you have 5 cons in it if they pair off you should be ready to move those that didnt and a welcome to fishlore

kingbabar

Forgive me for the noobie question, but when performing a water change, you are suppose to turn off the power filter, correct? This doesn't kill off the bacteria living inside? Also, are water changes are usually done via gravel vacuuming?

Lucy

Don't worry about asking questions. Chances are if you were wondering, someone else is also.
Some people turn theirs off, some don't.
If you have an HOB heater (hang on the back) be sure to turn it off. It can crack or malfunction if the water gets below a certain level. If I'm not mistaken (check your directions) the heater needs to be off a certain amount of time before exposing it to air.
It's your choice if you turn off a submersible heater, but again, make sure it stays below the water line.

Same thing with the filter, it's your choice. However, don't let the water line get below your intake. You don't want your filter sucking air, it could burn out the motor.

The bacteria will be fine for the short amount of time things are turned off.

I gravel vac every time I do a water change (once a week or so). However, if you're cycling with fish (I hope not!) We advise to do daily water changes, in which case it wouldn't be necessary to do a gravel vac every day.

kingbabar

Ah, this clears a few things up for me. Thanks so much!

gmen4life

i normaly dont turn things off i guess im a risk taker

Brimstonepdx

With my 55G I do a 30 to 40% water change once a week and I turn off my filter before doing so after burning up my first one... As others have said its going to depend on size and what you have in there. My little Gourami are poop machines and every once in a while Ill even have to do two water changes in a week (this is usually when I spoil them with blood worms more than once a week)

Craig-D

It depends on your equipment. I don't turn off my filter. I don't see the need to do so unless the water level is going to fall below the intake. In my tank, that would mean it's nearly empty! My stealth heater automatically turns itself off if it senses no water, so that's another thing I don't bother with. I also don't change my water as part of vacuuming. My gravel vac is battery powered and the debris goes into a little mesh container. I can vaccum as long as I like without worrying about draining too much water. The vac also functions as a powered siphon with a change of attachment. So my water is pumped out and back in via electic pump. No manual siphons for me. Tried that once and quickly chucked it.

Lucy

I use the stealths but if I go that low, I turn it off. I get nervous. lol
The auto shut off is a great feature.

Woe, do you have a link to that?

bolivianbaby

I apologize for the hijack in advance, but do all stealths have the automatic shut off? I have them in a few of my aquariums and I've been turning them off manually when I do water changes.

Lucy

I've kept all the packages and just checked. They say "Shuts down if left out of the water. Restarts automatically when in water".

bolivianbaby

Thanks, Lucy

It's always good to know about any safety mechanisms that our fish supplies have, especially when they're in the water with our precious babies.

Lucy

Your welcome.
I agree. I think the one thing I'd like to see changed about the stealth is I wish it had a light.

bolivianbaby

That would be great

Craig-D

I sure do. Here is the one I own by Hagen. It vacuums and then you can swap out the vaccum bag for a hose (sold separately) and viola! You have a powered siphon.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Multi-Va...11004+C37.aspx

The other popular alternative is this model by Eheim. It is a vaccum only and is much more expensive, but is much more powerful. Ignore the insane price in this particular link. This model can be had for as little as $50 or so.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Eheim-Sl...35014+C37.aspx

Should anyone decide to get one of these, I highly suggest using rechargable batteries to power them. They eat batteries like you wouldn't believe.