Water change frequencies and amounts. (@ RTR?)

[kcartwright856]

I'd love everyone's thoughts on this, but a comment from RTR would be especially appreciated.

When I first was planning out my tank, I had decided on a 50% water change once per week. It sounded good to me. Though, halfway through the week, I'd notice some floaties in the water and debris on surfaces that just made my skin crawl. I'm very meticulous about getting it all up, so I end up taking out about 50% each time I clean. I've been doing this twice a week now for the past month.

Are two 50% water changes per week too much? I don't scrub any surfaces down, nor do I switch medias in the filter, so I don't think I'm disturbing my BB too much. Or am I?

[J-P]

what are the readings of the water tests before the water change each week?

[kcartwright856]

Oh! Totally spaced on that.

Consistently 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, 20ppm nitrate.

pH is usually around 6.8 in the tank, but it comes out of the tap at 7.2.

[RTR]

I discussed this at greater length in the other thread, but as far as I am concerned, it is not possible to change too much water too often unless you are over 100% daily.

For myself, I try to do at least 50% weekly and I do frequently divide that into two or three partials. If you do this, please do remember that you cannot divide 50 by two or three and use that value. You must calculate on the basis of residual old water. In effect it takes about two 1/3 partials weekly to equal one 50% partial. In other words, two 25% partials do not as much as one 50% partial, but two 30-35% partials are just a tad better than one 50% partial. If you can automate, 7 10% partials week are good, 7 15% partials are spectacular.

We cannot do grids on a forum, or I would post the math for better/easier understanding.

HTH

[kcartwright856]

Thanks, RTR! I feel better now. I don't think I'll ever have to worry about underdoing it... I just wanted to be sure I wasn't overdoing it.

I don't have an automated system, but it isn't very hard for me to do water changes. My husband rigged up a DIY Python-thing from online instructions and it's quite easy for me to hook up and operate on my own. If necessary, I could easily do daily partials, but I find myself wanting to vacuum the bottom of the tank whenever the siphon comes out, and I can't take less than 50% of the water when I do that. Not to mention that I always find a few plant runners to relocate, and maybe this one should be moved as well, and hmm, I should probably do such-and-such... and before I know it, I've spent hours on the tank. I enjoy it, though.

I think that grids and math would confuse me more! Your words are plenty enough for me! I know I can always count on you to set me straight.

[scpion]

U could decrease the flow of the python. It would still suck up the lighter debris but with lesser water.

[kcartwright856]

Actually, the flow is very slow. We made it slow enough that I can actually use it in the same way that I can use a gravel vacuum. I stick the tube down into the sand and suck the debris up without taking any sand, even though the tube is only 3/4". It works great... it just takes me THAT long. I have a lot of plants, rocks, and driftwood to work around.

Though, as long as taking 50% of the water with me isn't bad, I can't see any reason to worry. Right?

[scpion]

The fish would appreciate more than less of new water I think.

I do up to 75% due to my high bioload.

I am getting the hang of the fish and water thingy..

[kcartwright856]

Me too, me too!

This is my first real go at a tank as an adult, even though I have been researching dwarf puffers for five years now in preparation for when I moved into my own home and could set a tank up. Five years and I still don't know everything that I need to know! Crazy!

I think that I know most of everything that is possible to know without having the actual experience yet. In two weeks, things should get really fun. I'm sure I'll be here asking questions at the top of every hour.

[kcartwright856]

I also have to admit that another reason that I love doing water changes is because of my kuhli loaches.

They LOVE their water changes, and it thrills me to watch them all running around while I vacuum, getting excited... and then weaving through the stream of water while I refill. But then... after I refill and get everything turned back on, they start their kuhli dance! It's so fun to watch.

[RTR]

LOL @ KC - I have been in this hobby almost 60 years now, and I still don't know all I need to know... If you ever stop learning, you stagnate. That would be boring and stagnation tends to smell bad as well. So, keep on learning to avoid boredom.