The Puffer Forum

Ok guys, what a dumb, trivial question, but-- I thought we did water changes every week to keep the nitrates under (ideally, 10, perfectly, 5). I was really bad on my water changes, (sorry, please don't be mad) and I went a week without one (Had to work last weekend, ALL weekend so they didn't get done), but I tested the water on both tanks and got the same results:

PH: 7.8 on 10g, 8.0 on 20g
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 pmm
Nitrates: < 5ppm

So....what are the points of water changes every week, if everything is still good? Is there anything that I am doing wrong? Is there anything that I need to change? Any suggestions? And please, no one take this the wrong way. I am not saying anyone is wrong, or that I know better, I am just curious. I know puffs need perfect conditions, but if they are still "perfect" why try to fix what's not broken every week? Again, sorry, I just want to know, because it's curiosity. No worries, with the exception of this last week, water changes are still scheduled for every Saturday =)

Also, can Otos live with Figure 8s? The algae in Luau's tank is getting obnoxious, and unfortunately, he doesn't leave the poor little nerite snails alone. They have little "teeth marks" everywhere on their shells. As soon as they start to eat, he goes and picks on them >< (booger). Again, any input is much appreciated. =)

planted fw tanks, plants eat nitrate.
FOWLR and reef tanks: the live rock eats the nitrate.

However, it's not a perfect system and often the nitrates can accumulate beyond an acceptable level. an additional benefit in marine tanks is replenishing trace elements that are used up and/or skimmed out. I usually change my water every 2-4 weeks but i test every week and if the tests indicate i need to change earlier then i do.

wagner7123 wrote:planted fw tanks, plants eat nitrate.
FOWLR and reef tanks: the live rock eats the nitrate.

However, it's not a perfect system and often the nitrates can accumulate beyond an acceptable level. an additional benefit in marine tanks is replenishing trace elements that are used up and/or skimmed out. I usually change my water every 2-4 weeks but i test every week and if the tests indicate i need to change earlier then i do.

Okie dokie,good to know. But what about on freshwater tanks??? No live plants, just one 1.5" figure 8 puffer, one ghost shrimp and 4 nerite snails. That is the tank that I was stressing out about the most because I know that I missed the water change and I didn't want it to affect Luau. However, the nitrate tested less than 5.

We change anyway because there will be other undetectable waste products in the water. We just use nitrate as a basis as we can detect it with test kits. Don't beat yourself up for one missed change. This is an rtr question really as he knows the science behind it lol. In summary it's best to do it

wagner7123 wrote:planted fw tanks, plants eat nitrate.
FOWLR and reef tanks: the live rock eats the nitrate.

AFAIK that is not exactly the case (an I have been known to be wrong ). The sponges and algae may play a contributing factor, but the nitrates should still build up unless you have a DSB or a denitrification system (like vodka dosing) or a fuge with macro algae.

If you are using an API test kit be sure to shake the nitrate bottles, especially #2, for a minute or two. I actually lightly smack mine on the table or the palm of my hand too. If the solution in the bottle isn't completely mixed it will give a low reading. Other brands of test kits may be this way too but I have actually tested this on the API and it is true.

Did everyone miss this???

But what about on freshwater tanks??? No live plants, just one 1.5" figure 8 puffer

F8s are BW fish.

Well spotted pp.

I've been vodka dosing lately, works great, 5 drops every other day. I've never really messed with BW just FW and marine, so I don't really know about that but my guess is if the nitrates stay low you should be fine, but you want to keep on top of it as much as you can.

Are you dosing vodka in a marine tank?
I prefer Vitamin C, myself:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13501

I've wanted to try VC, but I had vodka so.... and it works just fine. Maybe I'll switch but the Svedka is doing the trick for now. Yes, it's marine.

J-P wrote:

wagner7123 wrote:planted fw tanks, plants eat nitrate.
FOWLR and reef tanks: the live rock eats the nitrate.

AFAIK that is not exactly the case (an I have been known to be wrong ). The sponges and algae may play a contributing factor, but the nitrates should still build up unless you have a DSB or a denitrification system (like vodka dosing) or a fuge with macro algae.

There are anaerobic areas in live rock where denitrification occurs, but it will not eliminate everything especially with a messy puffer on the loose. But if you have enough LR it will strip at least some of the nitrates out of your system prolonging the time between changes. dosing with vodka is a way of feeding carbon to the denitrifying anaerobes in the LR making them more prolific at their "job", and by that virtue making mine easier.

If your tank isn't fully stocked yet (he's only half his adult size, right?), then you may not need to do as many water changes, or the same number but smaller.

Otos are *strictly* FW and rarely thrive without a planted tank that's been running for at least six months.

I think the weekly 50% is just to be more safe than sorry. I have never bought a testing kit and my aquarium has been running 2 years. I always thought when i have a problem i will buy one then. I have a few live plants and about 10 mirmo moss balls and a decent filter and never once had any problems. I feed live fish, crabs and worms to my puffer and still never had any problems because of the 50% changes, plants and hovering the bits up.

I have kept dwarf puffers and now a suvattii/ arrowhead puffer, many snails and triops. All have never been ill or sick and nothing died that wasen't ment to. I think it's the big water changes and keeping my tank nice and clean that is the reason i have no probs.

wagner7123 wrote:

J-P wrote:

wagner7123 wrote:planted fw tanks, plants eat nitrate.
FOWLR and reef tanks: the live rock eats the nitrate.

AFAIK that is not exactly the case (an I have been known to be wrong ). The sponges and algae may play a contributing factor, but the nitrates should still build up unless you have a DSB or a denitrification system (like vodka dosing) or a fuge with macro algae.

There are anaerobic areas in live rock where denitrification occurs, but it will not eliminate everything especially with a messy puffer on the loose. But if you have enough LR it will strip at least some of the nitrates out of your system prolonging the time between changes. dosing with vodka is a way of feeding carbon to the denitrifying anaerobes in the LR making them more prolific at their "job", and by that virtue making mine easier.

Ic, ic....