Gargoyle

Just like the title says...


I am looking for compelling reasons to do water changes for reasons other than to remove excess Nitrates. I would like to know if there are any other reasons to change water or if that is the only one. I have been searching high and low for other reasons but have come up empty handed other than to remove excess fertilizers and other things that we add in ourselves.

So I am looking forward to all of your responses and answers! Thanks so much!

sirdarksol

Build up of minerals. Even if you don't do water changes, you're going to have to add water as tank water evaporates. However, when the water evaporates, it doesn't take the minerals with it. Eventually your tank will end up being such hard water that no fish is going to be comfortable in it.

Really, in the end, the answer is "To keep the water conditions as close to natural as possible." The fish to water density is far greater in our tanks than in any natural setting. In nature, water currents, rain, flooding, rivers and streams, and all sorts of things keep water moving around. In our tanks, no matter how much artificial current we set up, there just is no way for them to have that fresh of water, so we do the next best thing, and periodically introduce new water.

griffin

another thing would be to change the minerals. some minerals will get used up faster than others. so by doing water changes, you can do some degree maintain a more consistent water profile. you'll take out the excess, and add in some of the ones that were used up.