Do I Really need to do water changes???

Ok so here is my question.

If I have a cycled planted tank where the ammonia is 0 nitrite 0

AND OVER 2 weeks no water change nitrate still less than 5ppm.

Ok so because I have plants that are feeding off the nitrates (also mild food dose for plants) they stay low.

Do I need to change water for copper and other dissolved solids?

I do not have hardness test kit yet. I will get soon.

I JUST WANT some of y'alls opinions on if my tank ecosystem is in good shape do I just top off???

 

I see nothing wrong with water changes. If your source water is similar to your tank water, and you do the water change "correctly" I really do believe that water changes are beneficial, and not just for diluting nitrates. The only adverse thing that my fish experience, as far as I can tell, is that they're scared of my hand. However, this mostly applies to the neons and I find they recover quickly. My corydoras seem to love water changes.


I would not say they are 100% mandatory. I've seen people get away with low to no water change tanks. But to me, I mean they're so easy and simple, so I will always stick with them. I'm diluting things, replenishing things, and I'm sucking up the fishies poop haha. Personally I find water changes relaxing.

 

As my local Fish Veterinarian likes to say "Fact: your fish live in a toilet."

https://cafishvet.com/2018/06/04/water-changes-fish/

 

I say san diego and everyone thinks surfer, people who don't know region don't realize how quick it changes 15 to 20 miles inland.

Yeah were all beach bums apparently hahaha

 

I think the coolest thing about these forums is that folks report back when they have success trying different methods! I thought I would get slaughtered for opting for a fish in cycle for instance, I found most folks just wanted to help and share their experience and knowledge. This is how cool new things are found! Hope you keep us posted on what you find with your tanks!

 

I think the coolest thing about these forums is that folks report back when they have success trying different methods! I thought I would get slaughtered for opting for a fish in cycle for instance, I found most folks just wanted to help and share their experience and knowledge. This is how cool new things are found! Hope you keep us posted on what you find with your tanks!

I just ordered 17 in 1 test strips. Plus tds & ph meter. Plus my API master test kit. Should be interesting, I'm sure I will do a water change , but atleast I will hopefully know why . not just because.

 

You should do water changes. Sure minerals can be added through top offs. But over time your tank can develop "old tank syndrome ". Nitrates will build up over time and eventually become a problem. If you do small water changes or just top off, you'll build up a lot of excess nutrients and nitrates and kill your livestock if you have any.

 

San Diego California. But east county. La mesa CA. About 15 miles east of downtown.

I appreciate everyone giving calm thought out responses.

What a beautiful world we live in where people from around the world can share such situatianally specific information / theories and hypotheses

I moved to Denver from SD. Lived in Ramona for awhile, then Chula Vista, then got divorced and did the single 20 something year old in OB. I've got stories and tatoos from that period of my life.

It maybe stresses out my tetras. My cichlids are little puppies that follow me around the tank while I'm vacuuming, trimming plants, etc. the same way my mini schnauzer does around the house.

 

I was asking more in a scientific reason. I wanted to know if anyone had theories about it.

I know everyone says yes yes weekly water changes. But WHY if my ecosystem is fine.

I do have fish in all 7 tanks. They are just in balance and nitrates always stay super low.

Pic of sone of my tanks in my kitchen

I live in dry hot

I live in a dry hot area. East San Diego County CA. My tanks evaporate alot. So I ad gallons a week which would be adding those lost minerals. Right?

In theory, yes. But it would have to add up to the amount of water that would be added from a weekly water change. Just depends how much water you are adding.

Another important aspect of water changes is vacuuming the gravel (which most hobbyists do during weekly water changes). Vacuuming up all the fish waste and uneaten food in the substrate.