How often do you change your water?

[YourPalCM]

Most places I've read that the more often you change the water the better. However, there have been a few posts that I've read which imply that it is possible to change the water TOO much.

I am presently feeling quite ambitious. I have a siphon, and the tank is just 10' from a sink, so changing water will be easy. I was planning to change out 40% or so twice a week, and I figured that would make my fishies as happy as they could possibly be.

Is that possibly TOO MUCH?

[Solace]

I change about 15% twice a week. It really depends on the type of fish your keeping and your feeding habits.

[tom]

I echo Solace's remark: I don't know how folks can advise on frequency/volume of water changes unless other variables--such as bioload--are included.

But in general terms, unless the tank water parameters are significantly different than those of the tap, sure: You can change 100% of the water each day.

[YourPalCM]

Good point...I've got a 20 gallon tank with 2 Malawi Cichlids (One yellow lab, and one blank/blue striped one the technical name of which eludes me as I type this), and a pair of Tiger Barbs.

The tank is only 20 gallons, which is another reason it will be easy for me to remain ambitious about changing the water.

Thanks for answering. I figured the answer was a no-brainer, but better safe than sorry.

[tom]

I don't think any answer is a "no-brainer" at all; I meant only that you'll get different answers--all possibly "correct"--depending on differing factors. Speaking of which...You make a good point on tank size. It sounds to me like you've got water changes down better than I do, anyway. :wink:

[2petuniasmom]

I let nitrate be my guide. I decided that 50 was the highest I would let it get....not any particular reason other than it seems I have less algae problem at less than 50. That could mean that I change 2x a week, or 3x depending on how much the kids have fed the fish!

[jonah]

I change every 7-10 days if possible, but if it goes 3 weeks without change I don't worry about it. I don't think I've ever gone a month without changing water.

I don't know how the tiger barbs will like the frequent water changes, but the Malawi cichlids should be happy about it.

[YourPalCM]

Originally posted by jonah
I don't know how the tiger barbs will like the frequent water changes, but the Malawi cichlids should be happy about it.

The Tiger Barbs are only in there as "Target Fish" for the Cichlids. However, everyone seems to be getting along surprisingly well so I might just take the Tiger Barbs (Named BARBi and Ken, by the way) out and throw them in my little girl's Neon tank that I have in her bedroom.

Apparently I got the two friendliest Cichlids in my area. How nice. :cool:

[cjbots]

o would love to change my water once a week, but I do it once a couple of weeks, I do about a 50% water change.

[fermi]

I change out 15 gallons every 4 days on my 75 which keeps my nitrates to around 10 ppm. If I am really busy or sick I will stretch it out to a week but never any longer than that. I have a mixed hap/peacock tank with 16 fish total.

[MalawiMayhem]

I change 25-35% once a week on all the tanks....fry and growout tanks get twice a week.

[rattlerz_1]

I change about 20% every 2 or 3 weeks. My Africans in a 125 must be happy since they breed like rabbits.:lol:

[usafschue]

30% every week and 15% 2x a week when new

[cichgirl]

I change 10% weekly and test nitrate every 3 days. Once the nitrate reaches 30 ppm, I change 30%. Seems to work well for me and my fish.

My Americans get 20% weekly change and a similar nitrate allowance.

[merlyn2221]

Originally posted by 2petuniasmom That could mean that I change 2x a week, or 3x depending on how much the kids have fed the fish!

:rofl:

Or the husband...

("But they looked hungry...")

[DanL]

I change all my tanks around 20-25% once a week except for my fry tank which is a 10gallon, on that I change 50% daily...

[tbrodale]

25% water change everyother day is a good thing as long as your tap water isnt deadly!

[PedroPSK]

I've been reading and looking around for a while now but haven't posted anything yet. My room mate and I have an 80gall Cichlid tank. He knows a lot more about the tank/fish than I do but I'm fascinated and learning. I keep reading that water changes are so important and all, but I can honestly say I dont remember the last time we changed our water. We have 4 plecos, 1 catfish, about 12 ACs (1 cobalt,4 labs, 2 red zebras, 3 jewles, and a few others), and a few live plants (amazon swords and onions). The tank looks great and the fish look happy. My room mate tested the water about 2 weeks ago and said everything was fine.
My question is, do I really need to change the water that often? Everyone seems happy and doing well.
Any ideas?

[Fischfan13]

Once a week...about 15%.
My fry tanks are every other day at 50%.

[Fischfan13]

Hey Pedro I don't know if you have ever heard of him, but there is a guy who is known all over country for his Discus...his name is Jack Wattley.
He once did a test on two tanks.
Tank #1 was a 55 gallon.
Tank #2 was a 20 gallon.
Each tank had the some number of young Discus put in them...I believe that the number was 20.
Tank #1 had its water changed weekly, I believe that the amount was 25%.
Tank #2 had a daily water change of 50%.
You would think the the fish were suffering because of the cramped conditions...but they were not. The Discus in the 20 gallon grew faster...water is the key.
It's good to hear that your fish are healthy, but if you ever get the chance just purchase an inexpensive battery operated aquarium vac and vacuum the substrate occasionally.
Of course there is the other option....weekly water changes ;->~

[PedroPSK]

Thanks FischFan, I'll do a change and cleaning today. I've actually been meaning to for a while now just keep getting caught up with other stuff.

[Dustin]

I THINK I HAVE BEEN CLEANING MY TANK TO MUCH I THINK YOU CAN CLEAN UR TANK TO MUCH BECAUSE I THINK I KILLED MA FISH DOIN THAT AFTER ALL THESE FISH COME FROM LAKES AND RIVERS AND RAIN FORESTS.

[YourPalCM]

Originally posted by Dustin
I THINK I HAVE BEEN CLEANING MY TANK TO MUCH I THINK YOU CAN CLEAN UR TANK TO MUCH BECAUSE I THINK I KILLED MA FISH DOIN THAT AFTER ALL THESE FISH COME FROM LAKES AND RIVERS AND RAIN FORESTS.

Yeah, sometimes you can clean Ma fish too much, but the Pa fish you can never clean enough. The Pa fish are very dirty fish.

Plus, you're right, I've never seen anyone doing a 25% water change on any lakes. That would be quite an undertaking. And that's where Ma fish live.

[GoatPervertor]

30%, once a week including gravel vac.

[Vip]

30% now, once on wednesday and once on sunday both times useing the vac and chaseing my oscars with it :)

[skiitswitch]

I clean half of my tank every week - about 20% water change - usually on tuesday nights... I'm finally getting good at rebuilding the rock caves to where it takes just less than an hour