I Stopped Doing Water Changes

I have been an off and on aquarist for 40 years. When I have the time for this hobby, I get into it hot and heavy. I'm retired now. I'm lazy. I take short cuts cuz I have a LOT of different hobbies now and I love them all.

Before this latest African cichlid tank, I had South American cichlids. I was always working a lot back then. So I didn't do everything I was "supposed" to do. I began doing water changes maybe 6 times a year, but my water was never terrible. My fish always did very well after the tank became established.

Fast forward to now. I restarted my 75 gallon aquarium after my huge Oscar finally passed away. It was 12 years at least, maybe more. I sold all other huge cichlids to a local aquarium shop. But kept my Oscar. Now I started an African cichlid tank with 2 Clown Loaches and 2 Blueberry Botias.
I lost a few at the start from nitrite poisoning. I checked everything except my nitrites and they were all perfect. I fertilized using peat at the very beginning underneath my gravel substrate. I even used some fertilizer sticks I was attempting to start a thick live plant aquarium as well. That failed. Everything died slowly except for one species that I can't remember now.

Anyway, after having the 16 cichlids left and the bottom feeders, I totally stopped doing water changes. Why do them when your water is nearly perfect? My 6 month old cichlids are making babies like crazy! (with a neutral pH) Since I also have the loaches, I have to compromise on the pH. I feed them a LOT 2-3 times daily with Cichlid Flakes, Freeze Dried Blood Worms, and Brine Shrimp. I have plenty of caves and hideouts with cracks and crevices for the babies. I have double the filtration as recommender with 2 outside filters.
I keep my LED aquarium light at 50% for 12 hours a day. I keep my temp at near 80 degrees. I also have a submersible pump with the housing wrapped with fine filter medium. I use this for added under water flow in the back length of the take. I rinse all my filter medium out once a month and add about 2 gallons of tap water that evaporates around the same time.
My nitrates and ammonia are almost non-existent. I use crushed coral and peat moss in filter bags that I buffer alternately to keep the pH near neutral. BUT NO MORE WATER CHANGES FOR ME! I hate doing them! -Joe R

 

Your tank will never experience "Old Tank Syndrome". I have to think what causes it is what I explained in my last post. You take very good care of the water in your tanks. We aren't so much taking care of fish, we are taking care of water. As long as we do that fish will thrive.

As most of y'all know I always stress fresh clean water is the very best thing we can give our fish. There are those that don't agree with the amount of water I recommend changing out each week but I have to think it is the main reason I have never had to deal with any of the many diseases I read about here every day.

We each have to choose how we want to care for our own tanks. Once we have the basics down we may be able to experiment. For the new folks reading this thread. No water changes are working for the OP right now and have been for 6 months (4 months of no water changes so far). Only time will tell if it is going to be sustainable. Hopefully we will get updates on this tank as time goes by. I would love to follow along and see how it is going from time to time.

So many skeptics...so little experience in the subject at hand. I understand about you wanting to teach the "in-box" way of maintains.an ideal aquarium. Fortunately for me there is an ideal way that is much less time-consuming this more rewarding to me cuz I have lots of other hobbies I love. Yes, I will be back to update you all on my way. If it sucks, I'll tell you. If it stays successful, you know you'll read about that also.

 

So many skeptics...so little experience in the subject at hand. I understand about you wanting to teach the "in-box" way of maintains.an ideal aquarium. Fortunately for me there is an ideal way that is much less time-consuming this more rewarding to me cuz I have lots of other hobbies I love. Yes, I will be back to update you all on my way. If it sucks, I'll tell you. If it stays successful, you know you'll read about that also.

I don't think I can be considered a skeptic. I accept there are different way to get to the same point. I am interested in seeing how this works out. I know there are folks that have successfully kept no water change tanks.

I explained to you why I posted the other side of the coin for the new folks that will read this thread. They need to know what they are doing before attempting it. They need to understand what can happen if it doesn't work as well for them as it is working for you.

I've not heard from Old Salt for a very long time. He ran no water change tanks too. In his case though most of his filtration was plants. Lots of plants growing immersed. Lots of healthy roots in the water. Plants like Chinese Evergreen, Pothos and Peace Lilies. Big beautiful plants and healthy tanks. Plants only fed with fish waste.

 

So many skeptics...so little experience in the subject at hand. I understand about you wanting to teach the "in-box" way of maintains.an ideal aquarium. Fortunately for me there is an ideal way that is much less time-consuming this more rewarding to me cuz I have lots of other hobbies I love. Yes, I will be back to update you all on my way. If it sucks, I'll tell you. If it stays successful, you know you'll read about that also.

Greetings and welcome to Fishlore!

Sir, in my humble opinion, I don't feel like anyone on here is trying to insult your intelligence or trying to make you feel like a liar. A lot of people on here have been in this hobby for years, like you. They are just trying to make sure that others will not read something like this and become encouraged, thinking it's quite normal not to do water changes in the aquarium hobby. Although this may work for you and possibly others, its not something people would want a beginner trying. I'm truly sorry if you got rubbed the wrong way.

Best of luck.

 

Greetings and welcome to Fishlore!

Sir, in my humble opinion, I don't feel like anyone on here is trying to insult your intelligence or trying to make you feel like a liar. A lot of people on here have been in this hobby for years, like you. They are just trying to make sure that others will not read something like this and become encouraged, thinking it's quite normal not to do water changes in the aquarium hobby. Although this may work for you and possibly others, its not something people would want a beginner trying. I'm truly sorry if you got rubbed the wrong way.

Best of luck.

I'm a new member but not a new aquarist. I was hoping to be treated more welcoming than some of these guys I came here to contribute through my own personal experience. I think out of the box on all my hobbies. That's what makes them so enjoyable. But for someone to make me out to liar when I'm being 100 % truthful in my experience is a bit disheartening.

 

I'm a new member but not a new aquarist. I was hoping to be treated more welcoming than what these guys have treated me. I came here to contribute through my own personal experience. I think out of the box on all my hobbies. That's what makes them so enjoyable. But for someone to make me out to liar when I'm being 100 % truthful in my experience is a bit disheartening.

I'm sure people didn't intend to come across that way. There are just hobbyists that are very specific/persistent with their recommendations because of the learning experiences they have had.

 

Hey JR1955 I just want to say welcome and gid day from Australia.
My local club is a mix of many kinds of fish keepers.
I go to the Sydney cichlid club auctions and see an even wider cross section of people from all countries of the world sharing a common interest. At times people from countries that are literally at war with each other share time together.

Personally I have talked to long time fish keepers and have talked about this very subject.

I have English as a first language but at times I have offended with the written word.

 

I'm sure people didn't intend to come across that way. He's just very specific/persistent on his recommendations because of experiences others, including himself have had in this hobby.

There are always different ways to do things that might even be better than "by the book." I done things by the book and then done things my way. I usually like my way better. And if it works, I'm happy to share it with other group members. If it doesn't I'll share that also. I'm not here to fight with anyone. I'm here to be treated with respect and give respect to the ones who respect me. That's all.

Hey JR1955 I just want to say welcome and gid day from Australia.
My local club is a mix of many kinds of fish keepers.
I go to the Sydney cichlid club auctions and see an even wider cross section of people from all countries of the world sharing a common interest. At times people from countries that are literally at war with each other share time together.

Personally I have talked to long time fish keepers and have talked about this very subject.

I have English as a first language but at times I have offended with the written word.

Very nice meeting you. Don't worry about offending me. I sometimes have involved discussions with others with experience in a different way than mine. Those things are bound to happen in forums like these. I'm also in to guns and reloading. I'm on quite a few forums there. It's nice to share different things within a common interest if we allow that to happen first. Thank you for chiming in. I'm from Indiana in the US, retired, and a passionate hobbyist.

I'm a big Loach fan too. I keep Y. Modestas (probably your Blue Berry Loach) Berdmorei Tiger Loach & YoYo Loaches. All do well in a PH of 8.2.
Clown Loaches are often seen in African tanks w/ elevated PH levels.
Your Loaches probably would do just fine in your unadjusted tap water. Plus no more Yellow stained peat moss water.
Here's a pic of one of my Modesta Loaches. Is that what you call a Blue
Berry?
View attachment 789389

Looks like a female? I have a good size male and a smaller sized male. They love to eat, don't they? I just don't want to keep my loaches in a very high pH just to please my cichlids so I keep it near neutral as a compromise.

 

There are always different ways to do things that might even be better than "by the book." I done things by the book and then done things my way. I usually like my way better. And if it works, I'm happy to share it with other group members. If it doesn't I'll share that also. I'm not here to fight with anyone. I'm here to be treated with respect and give respect to the ones who respect me. That's all.

Very nice meeting you. Don't worry about offending me. I sometimes have involved discussions with others with experience in a different way than mine. Those things are bound to happen in forums like these. I'm also in to guns and reloading. I'm on quite a few forums there. It's nice to share different things within a common interest if we allow that to happen first. Thank you for chiming in. I'm from Indiana in the US, retired, and a passionate hobbyist.

Looks like a female? I have a good size male and a smaller sized male. They love to eat, don't they? I just don't want to keep my loaches in a very high pH just to please my cichlids so I keep it near neutral as a compromise.

___

I don't think I can be considered a skeptic. I accept there are different way to get to the same point. I am interested in seeing how this works out. I know there are folks that have successfully kept no water change tanks.

I explained to you why I posted the other side of the coin for the new folks that will read this thread. They need to know what they are doing before attempting it. They need to understand what can happen if it doesn't work as well for them as it is working for you.

I've not heard from Old Salt for a very long time. He ran no water change tanks too. In his case though most of his filtration was plants. Lots of plants growing immersed. Lots of healthy roots in the water. Plants like Chinese Evergreen, Pothos and Peace Lilies. Big beautiful plants and healthy tanks. Plants only fed with fish waste.

Maybe this video relates to what he's doing and how it works?? Just check it out and listen to what they say. Im not sure if its related but we'll see

 

I dont know if this question has already been asked or answered, but do you have a deep substrate? It could be that you have anaerobic denitrifying bacteria converting the nitrates into nitrogen gas. That would make sense IMO, and you said you top off so I assume that would help with the lost minerals. So I'm starting to think your tank may actually be self-sustaining, or at least is for now.

With the pH though I'm really going to disagree. Loaches are very resilient, and chasing the pH just probably isn't worth it. I keep neon tetras, which are supposed to be kept in low pH waters, in an 8.4-8.6 pH and they thrive. Most fish are adaptable to pH, and generally water hardness (gH).

I think the main reason people are "skeptical" is because no water change system are through some way that removes the nitrates, but your system has shown literally no way on how the nitrates are 0, you just say they are. Not saying you are lying at all, but proof is always an important factor for things like these.

I'm also looking forward to seeing how things workout for you.

 

Several posts have been edited.
The OP did not come asking for advice. They are sharing how he does things.
There was no reason to continue to name names after my initial post. That just adds fuel.

Again, it's fine to disagree and discuss differing ideas but do so respectfully.

Heck if I chimed in on every thread where people do things differently than I do I'd have 80,000 posts rather than a mere 46+

So, please be nice rather than argumentative.

 

Welcome JR! I do understand your tank . I’ve been there years ago. I see the yellow water. It is amazing how fish adapt! Even more so that they’re breeding. All good and you will probably be fine going as your going. Adding new fish won’t work but keeping what you have should. This tank has already gone through old tank syndrome. Hence the 6.0 -6.5 ph.
You would probably lose fish if you started changing water. The fact that your plants have died off is a sign of old tank syndrome. If it’s not because of the shaking of the nitrate bottles than I’d bet you have anaerobic bacteria growing well in your substrate. That’s what’s eating the nitrate.
Yes it can be done as your demonstrating. For me it’s just the yellow water that turns me off. Good luck with your tank . Stay away from discus .

 

I dont know if this question has already been asked or answered, but do you have a deep substrate? It could be that you have anaerobic denitrifying bacteria converting the nitrates into nitrogen gas. That would make sense IMO, and you said you top off so I assume that would help with the lost minerals. So I'm starting to think your tank may actually be self-sustaining, or at least is for now.

With the pH though I'm really going to disagree. Loaches are very resilient, and chasing the pH just probably isn't worth it. I keep neon tetras, which are supposed to be kept in low pH waters, in an 8.4-8.6 pH and they thrive. Most fish are adaptable to pH, and generally water hardness (gH).

I think the main reason people are "skeptical" is because no water change system are through some way that removes the nitrates, but your system has shown literally no way on how the nitrates are 0, you just say they are. Not saying you are lying at all, but proof is always an important factor for things like these.

I'm also looking forward to seeing how things workout for you.

This is why I do the best I can to prove my experiences, I sent this thread a picture of my Nitrate Test Result that I just took very early this morning. I don't know what else I can do to prove to you that my way is working out perfectly for me. Please before you insinuate I am lying to to you and your members, at least take the time to review the only proof I can present to you. It can be very aggravating communicating with nay-sayers.

 

Relax & enjoy the forum. Fishlore is a very friendly forum, one of the best.
Members will enjoy reading your updates & pics.
No need to prove anything, no worries.

 

This is why I do the best I can to prove my experiences, I sent this thread a picture of my Nitrate Test Result that I just took very early this morning. I don't know what else I can do to prove to you that my way is working out perfectly for me. Please before you insinuate I am lying to to you and your members, at least take the time to review the only proof I can present to you. It can be very aggravating communicating with nay-sayers.

I think folks are trying to figure out how you are accomplishing no nitrates. The question about the depth of your substrate was a good question. Some folks are able to grow the bacteria that removes nitrates. We are wondering if you have managed to do so. If so, maybe you could share that information. We are all here to learn. Learning how to grow that bacteria may help others do the same.

 

Yes we are friendly!! Your just coming at us with an old school approach. Like I said I’ve been there . There used to be another poster here who did his tanks similar. I think he was @oldsalt

 

This is why I do the best I can to prove my experiences, I sent this thread a picture of my Nitrate Test Result that I just took very early this morning. I don't know what else I can do to prove to you that my way is working out perfectly for me. Please before you insinuate I am lying to to you and your members, at least take the time to review the only proof I can present to you. It can be very aggravating communicating with nay-sayers.

I believe you, I'm just wanting to know how you got 0 nitrates. It's just doesn't make sense, but so do a lot of things in this hobby. It's great that you've actually accomplished this, something I've never seen before.

 

I think folks are trying to figure out how you are accomplishing no nitrates. The question about the depth of your substrate was a good question. Some folks are able to grow the bacteria that removes nitrates. We are wondering if you have managed to do so. If so, maybe you could share that information. We are all here to learn. Learning how to grow that bacteria may help others do the same.

What I did to my substrate was a failed attempt to grow plants originally. I believe I lost a few fish at the very beginning trying out this method. I put an inch layer of peat moss and fertilizer underneath 2- 3" of gravel before I even restarted my 75 gal aquarium. The fish were doing great until I started missing a few, 6 total Africans. I checked my water quality constantly, but for some reason or another, I did NOT check my Nitrite level. I guess I thought if my Ammonia and Nitrate levels were good to go, so would my Nitrite. WRONG. My Nitrite was 1/2 the way up the scale. So I purchased a big bottle of Prime that ended that problem instantly with just 2 capfuls. So that is the only unusual thing I did as far as the substrate goes. But maybe it is helping now with maintaining a natural balance. Who knows?

 

What I did to my substrate was a failed attempt to grow plants originally. I believe I lost a few fish at the very beginning trying out this method. I put an inch layer of peat moss and fertilizer underneath 2- 3" of gravel before I even restarted my 75 gal aquarium. The fish were doing great until I started missing a few, 6 total Africans. I checked my water quality constantly, but for some reason or another, I did NOT check my Nitrite level. I guess I thought if my Ammonia and Nitrate levels were good to go, so would my Nitrite. WRONG. My Nitrite was 1/2 the way up the scale. So I purchased a big bottle of Prime that ended that problem instantly with just 2 capfuls. So that is the only unusual thing I did as far as the substrate goes. But maybe it is helping now with maintaining a natural balance. Who knows?

Oh yeah, peat moss under gravel is a potentially great way of promoting denitrifying activity and something I suggest a lot (I think it's a game changer). It provides a carbon source for heterotrophic bacteria which can eat nitrates extremely quickly. The denitrification process is not just nitrate to nitrogen gas. Any of the intermediate steps are possible, and heterotrophic bacteria grows a lot quicker than autotrophic. With a carbon source under the substrate I would not be surprised if they can keep nitrates very low.

For those interested, check out some LRB Aquatics youtube videos, he has some low maintenance tanks doing extremely well with peat moss + substrate mixture. The use of peat moss in substrate has been mentioned here and there in many obscure youtube vids and forum posts. In every case, people have reported tremendous success with it.

 

Oh yeah, peat moss under gravel is a potentially great way of promoting denitrifying activity and something I suggest a lot (I think it's a game changer). It provides a carbon source for heterotrophic bacteria which can eat nitrates extremely quickly. The denitrification process is not just nitrate to nitrogen gas. Any of the intermediate steps are possible, and heterotrophic bacteria grows a lot quicker than autotrophic. With a carbon source under the substrate I would not be surprised if they can keep nitrates very low.

For those interested, check out some LRB Aquatics youtube videos, he has some low maintenance tanks doing extremely well with peat moss + substrate mixture. The use of peat moss in substrate has been mentioned here and there in many obscure youtube vids and forum posts. In every case, people have reported tremendous success with it.

Well if that is the case then I would rather add more under gravel peat moss than weekly water changes if I have to. I have the water-changing kit with a 30 ft hose that makes it pretty easy compared to the old bucket way, but even that is too time-consuming and demanding of a routine I'm not interested in. I will be sending more pics (bad quality) of my aquarium inhabitants and babies. One mother lost her only baby so far. She was guarding her little cave so ferociously. But now she just swims around feeling quite depressed and probably feels like a failed mother. So sad to see her this way. But I'm going to continue let nature take its course without interfering.

 

Well if that is the case then I would rather add more under gravel peat moss than weekly water changes if I have to. I have the water-changing kit with a 30 ft hose that makes it pretty easy compared to the old bucket way, but even that is too time-consuming and demanding of a routine I'm not interested in. I will be sending more pics (bad quality) of my aquarium inhabitants and babies. One mother lost her only baby so far. She was guarding her little cave so ferociously. But now she just swims around feeling quite depressed and probably feels like a failed mother. So sad to see her this way. But I'm going to continue let nature take its course without interfering.

Yeah the thing with peat + substrate mixtures is once the peat is used up, I can't think of a way to replenish it without redoing the tank

 

Are you running an undergravel filter or anything?

I tried peat in my substrate once, it was awesome at first for dropping my pH to 6.5 but after like 2 water changes it was depleted. I just added a bag of the stuff to my filter so hoping it goes a bit better

 

The pictures don't show.

Na, it's fine. I don't doubt your readings, I just want to know how it can work in the first place. If no apparent reason shows, I would rather get a new NO3 test to be sure it's not because the test is beyond expiration date.

I'm extremely sceptical of cases like this, because all that have started posting here on the forum stating they don't do waterchanges anymore either had no explanation, fell for an expired test or tested wrong, or left out a decisive info.
But there have also been cases of trolling with the statement "no more waterchanges".

Here are some more "bad pics" in an attempt to satisfy your chronic skepticism. Cheap phone camera...sorry. The only other thing that explain my perfect water maintenance is I have a peat and fertilizer substrate underneath my gravel as well. This pic of my feeding may seem like overfeeding to you. Note the quantity on the aluminum foil ready to be dumped. (2-3 times daily). The other pics wan an attempt to capture a baby and my 2 dozen other fish in action. These Africans are just barely 6 months old, but Africans are known to breed at 4 months. 3 Mothers already. In the future if you want respect from me, give it back....thanks.

 

Are you running an undergravel filter or anything?

I tried peat in my substrate once, it was awesome at first for dropping my pH to 6.5 but after like 2 water changes it was depleted. I just added a bag of the stuff to my filter so hoping it goes a bit better

The idea is not to affect pH, which you want to minimize by burying it under substrate. The idea is to provide a food source for certain types of bacteria to drive the denitrification reactions.

 

The idea is not to affect pH, which you want to minimize by burying it under substrate. The idea is to provide a food source for certain types of bacteria to drive the denitrification reactions.

There's lots of myths around denitrification. Some of what your saying isn't quite accurate. Send me a DM if you want to know more about denitrifying bacteria and I'll send you a trove of peer reviewed studies. All of my tanks run 0 nitrates

I don't want to derail this thread further

 

The idea is not to affect pH, which you want to minimize by burying it under substrate. The idea is to provide a food source for certain types of bacteria to drive the denitrification reactions.

Nope. I have 2 large bio-filters outside and a submersible water pump with the housing wrapped with 100 micro mesh. This is just used to help keep the water crystal clear and more underwater movement over the substrate. I think its about a 700 gph pump about 20 bux on Amazon.

 

Nope. I have 2 large bio-filters outside and a submersible water pump with the housing wrapped with 100 micro mesh. This is just used to help keep the water crystal clear and more underwater movement over the substrate. I think its about a 700 gph pump about 20 bux on Amazon.

Are you using an undergravel filter? I genuinely want to know lol

 

There's lots of myths around denitrification. Some of what your saying isn't quite accurate. Send me a DM if you want to know more about denitrifying bacteria and I'll send you a trove of peer reviewed studies. All of my tanks run 0 nitrates

I don't want to derail this thread further

I don't really see any purpose in getting schooled on my tank when it's doing so well. If it does start showing any kinds of unfavorable change, I'll simply do a 50% water change. But like I mentioned many times it's been perfect for 4 months without an ounce of new water accept to top off evaporation. This is too easy and convenient for me to change anything.

 

What I did to my substrate was a failed attempt to grow plants originally. I believe I lost a few fish at the very beginning trying out this method. I put an inch layer of peat moss and fertilizer underneath 2- 3" of gravel before I even restarted my 75 gal aquarium. The fish were doing great until I started missing a few, 6 total Africans. I checked my water quality constantly, but for some reason or another, I did NOT check my Nitrite level. I guess I thought if my Ammonia and Nitrate levels were good to go, so would my Nitrite. WRONG. My Nitrite was 1/2 the way up the scale. So I purchased a big bottle of Prime that ended that problem instantly with just 2 capfuls. So that is the only unusual thing I did as far as the substrate goes. But maybe it is helping now with maintaining a natural balance. Who knows?

Thank you for this. It does explain the reason for no nitrates. I am not fond of tinted water so will stick to water changes but i do realize some folks don't want to do them as often as I do. I still do them with buckets but in my case I just consider it good exercise for me. One of these days I might admit I am getting a bit too old for it and break down and get a python type system to make it easier.

This is the first time I've heard of Prime removing nitrites so another new one for me. Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not saying you are wrong but it is possible the Prime didn't actually remove them and it was just time for them to drop to zero. Nitrites are like that. They can go from off the chart to zero in what seems like over night but what is actually happening is the nitrite eating bacteria is gradually building up and finally there is just enough of it to remove all of them. Either way it is always good to finally see the last of them.

 

Thank you for this. It does explain the reason for no nitrates. I am not fond of tinted water so will stick to water changes but i do realize some folks don't want to do them as often as I do. I still do them with buckets but in my case I just consider it good exercise for me. One of these days I might admit I am getting a bit too old for it and break down and get a python type system to make it easier.

This is the first time I've heard of Prime removing nitrites so another new one for me. Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not saying you are wrong but it is possible the Prime didn't actually remove them and it was just time for them to drop to zero. Nitrites are like that. They can go from off the chart to zero in what seems like over night but what is actually happening is the nitrite eating bacteria is gradually building up and finally there is just enough of it to remove all of them. Either way it is always good to finally see the last of them.

Go to Amazon and read all the reviews on Prime. It is absolutely amazing how instantaneous it is in removing Nitrites 100%. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe hundreds of others who use it.

 

I don't really see any purpose in getting schooled on my tank when it's doing so well. If it does start showing any kinds of unfavorable change, I'll simply do a 50% water change. But like I mentioned many times it's been perfect for 4 months without an ounce of new water accept to top off evaporation. This is too easy and convenient for me to change anything.

I asked you a question this morning and that was about all the interaction we had lol. I don't think anyone is arguing with you. Just socializing online and enjoying our hobbies like we do. If it works for you it works for you

this isn't quite as rebellious as your tank but mine is basically an overfiltered walstad. I only change 10% weekly and could probably get away with 0 water changes. I don't mind doing 10% weekly though




We might have differing opinions but the main thing is that we enjoy ourselves.

Go to Amazon and read all the reviews on Prime. It is absolutely amazing how instantaneous it is in removing Nitrites 100%. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe hundreds of others who use it.

This is something we will have differing opinions on, but again that is okay

 

I put an inch layer of peat moss and fertilizer underneath 2- 3" of gravel before I even restarted my 75 gal aquarium.

deep substrate is a well known way of establishing anaerobic bacteria to consume nitrate. i personally have a 150g stock tank covered with algae that is 0,0,0 and i do a canister cleaning and water change about every 2 months. the Seachem Matrix in the canister might also be helping. there are actually a few members here that have 0,0,0. TheeLadyG has an algae wall. Cichlidude uses a diy nitrate reactor with Matrix De-Nitrate media. Some use a refugium. MrBryan723 uses a very deep sandbed w/ lava rocks.

the earlier members just wanted to know how you did it, and you did take so many posts to finally give an explanation that they became skeptical. glad you were able to achieve 0,0,0 and now you know the science behind it

just some things you might want to be aware of when not doing water changes and only topping off in the long term. there are other wastes besides nitrogen.

high phosphates can cause problems in the long run. there is a test for it, i had a Master Pond Test Kit that included it, and phosphates get pretty high without weekly water changes or plants to consume it.

long term build up of heavy metals.

 

I asked you a question this morning and that was about all the interaction we had lol. I don't think anyone is arguing with you. Just socializing online and enjoying our hobbies like we do. If it works for you it works for you

this isn't quite as rebellious as your tank but mine is basically an overfiltered walstad. I only change 10% weekly and could probably get away with 0 water changes. I don't mind doing 10% weekly though

View attachment 789546

We might have differing opinions but the main thing is that we enjoy ourselves.



This is something we will have differing opinions on, but again that is okay

Can I have some info on your blackwater walstad (size, light, stocking, plants, maintaining the blackwater). It looks really cool and I'd like to try it out!

 

Can I have some info on your blackwater walstad (size, light, stocking, plants, maintaining the blackwater). It looks really cool and I'd like to try it out!

DM me any time

 

deep substrate is a well known way of establishing anaerobic bacteria to consume nitrate. i personally have a 150g stock tank covered with algae that is 0,0,0 and i do a canister cleaning and water change about every 2 months. the Seachem Matrix in the canister might also be helping. there are actually a few members here that have 0,0,0. TheeLadyG has an algae wall. Cichlidude uses a diy nitrate reactor with Matrix De-Nitrate media. Some use a refugium. MrBryan723 uses a very deep sandbed w/ lava rocks.

the earlier members just wanted to know how you did it, and you did take so many posts to finally give an explanation that they became skeptical. glad you were able to achieve 0,0,0 and now you know the science behind it

just some things you might want to be aware of when not doing water changes and only topping off in the long term. there are other wastes besides nitrogen.

high phosphates can cause problems in the long run. there is a test for it, i had a Master Pond Test Kit that included it, and phosphates get pretty high without weekly water changes or plants to consume it.

long term build up of heavy metals.

Thank you for your knowledge and politeness. If I don't know about something, I ask. I do not pretend I know. It's a problem with long-time hobbyists, not just aquarists. You just provided me knowledge that you know from "experience." Not any book or any friends of friends and misinformation from gossipers. Thank you! Joe R

Can I have some info on your blackwater walstad (size, light, stocking, plants, maintaining the blackwater). It looks really cool and I'd like to try it out!

All I have is a basic over-filtered biological 75 gal tank with 50% lighting 12 hours a day. It's quite dim all the time. I love your tank BTW.

 

I understand where you are coming from in the way that you maintain your aquariums....one aspect I have found personally is that the fish hardiness has dropped dramatically thanks to overbreeding, mutations and often irresponsible breeding.

Whereas 10 or 20+ years ago fish could adapt to a wide range of parameters quite easily and not require so much intense maintenance such as the weekly water changes etc, nowadays the fish are genetically weaker, more prone to illness/disease and quite frequently if the parameters are not "just so" they struggle and pass away far quicker than their ancestors of a decade or two ago.

There is too much chemical intervention available and that can have a detrimental effect more often than a good one. As with humans, a fish disease or illness can become immune to the medications, the water can go from perfect to spiking far faster now than decades ago....tap water has more additives now than back then

There is too much dependency on chemical and medication intervention when keeping the water clean and fresh either by water changing or by leaving it alone and going back to basics

The fish breeders...not all of them obviously...but too many are interbreeding and overbreeding far too much and that weakens the genetics far too much which is causing fish that would have lived for years happy and healthy in a basic, unfussed aquarium to dying weakened fish needing a vast aray of stuff to keep them alive, keep the water right and even when you do all the right things they die of disease too soon.

 

I also used to keep fish in the UK many years ago, and I don’t remember doing anywhere near the amount of water changes that I do now. I did change some of the water occasionally and it tended to stimulate breeding behaviour in cichlids. I don’t think we had anything like prime in those days, we used to just let the water stand first I think.

Now I do try to change some water every week, but I don’t worry too much if for any reason I miss a few days or more. Also I very rarely change as much as 50%, usually about 20% but sometimes only 10% in the biggest tank (570l approx) as like mattgirl I still use the bucket method And it takes quite a while! Actually I quite enjoy doing it, and often combine it with trimming plants etc. I do have nitrates in my tanks but usually around 10 max. Floating plants help a lot.

I think I am lucky as our water comes straight from a mountain stream and is not treated with anything. I have a bottle of prime that I won once and have never opened. So far since I started keeping fish again last year I have not had any problems with diseases and have only lost one fish, an oto ( apart from a neon and a couple of pencilfish that I believe were eaten by my Cichlasomas). Perhaps the fishes we get here in Ecuador are not as overbred as those available in the US or UK (although quite alot of fishes. available here do come from the far east, I have not personally had any of those though).

I think the need for water changes does vary a lot according to the size of the aquarium, density of planting, amount of filtration and size, type and number of fishes.

 

Go to Amazon and read all the reviews on Prime. It is absolutely amazing how instantaneous it is in removing Nitrites 100%. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe hundreds of others who use it.

To be totally honest I can only go by the hundreds I have helped here and have recommended Prime to. None of them have ever experienced Prime instantly eliminating nitrites. I tend to believe folks I am personally working with than reviews on a product. I am happy it worked that way for you but I've just never seen it happen for anyone else.

BTW: I both use and recommend Prime.

We all learn by questioning. I am sure you have experiences you can share on how you accomplished what you have accomplished. Others can learn from from you but to learn we need to know how something was accomplished. Not just that it was.

 

To be totally honest I can only go by the hundreds I have helped here and have recommended Prime to. None of them have ever experienced Prime instantly eliminating nitrites. I tend to believe folks I am personally working with than reviews on a product. I am happy it worked that way for you but I've just never seen it happen for anyone else.

BTW: I both use and recommend Prime.

We all learn by questioning. I am sure you have experiences you can share on how you accomplished what you have accomplished. Others can learn from from you but to learn we need to know how something was accomplished. Not just that it was.

Again, I'm being insinuated as a liar of some sort. That's OK. That happens all the time with long time hobbyists of any passion. I fully understand.

 

Again, I'm being insinuated as a liar of some sort. That's OK. That happens all the time with long time hobbyists of any passion. I fully understand.

You really aren't. I know I am not calling you one. I did try to explain what may have happened. If you really don't want to even consider other ideas then I guess I am just wasting my time. We could learn from each other but only if we go into it with an open mind. You told me to read the reviews. I can only go by all the folks I've helped here. Your expereince really is unique.

 

I understand where you are coming from in the way that you maintain your aquariums....one aspect I have found personally is that the fish hardiness has dropped dramatically thanks to overbreeding, mutations and often irresponsible breeding.

Whereas 10 or 20+ years ago fish could adapt to a wide range of parameters quite easily and not require so much intense maintenance such as the weekly water changes etc, nowadays the fish are genetically weaker, more prone to illness/disease and quite frequently if the parameters are not "just so" they struggle and pass away far quicker than their ancestors of a decade or two ago.

There is too much chemical intervention available and that can have a detrimental effect more often than a good one. As with humans, a fish disease or illness can become immune to the medications, the water can go from perfect to spiking far faster now than decades ago....tap water has more additives now than back then

There is too much dependency on chemical and medication intervention when keeping the water clean and fresh either by water changing or by leaving it alone and going back to basics

The fish breeders...not all of them obviously...but too many are interbreeding and overbreeding far too much and that weakens the genetics far too much which is causing fish that would have lived for years happy and healthy in a basic, unfussed aquarium to dying weakened fish needing a vast aray of stuff to keep them alive, keep the water right and even when you do all the right things they die of disease too soon.

Fully agree about all the chemicals. But what all about the harm frequent water changes can do? I believe once your aquarium finally become established and rock-solid stable, we should do everything in our power to keep it that way. You have a dark outlook of the future and past that I don't have. I believe WE can still control the outcomes / future of our fish's health. I do it by not trying to fix something that isn't broken. As for breeding, I let nature take care of that one.

You really aren't. I know I am not calling you one. I did try to explain what may have happened. If you really don't want to even consider other ideas then I guess I am just wasting my time. We could learn from each other but only if we go into it with an open mind.

I have to do what works for me. I simply share that with others. They have the option to call it rubbish or not. I have the option to continue on in my successful way.