Smaller Bio Load Less Water Changes?

[robertherrington]

In my 30G I Will Have 4 Or 5 Platties, 1 Female Betta, And 1 Black Molly. Ive Added It All Up And It Equals 16 Inches. Before My Platies Breed, And I Have More Fish In The Tank Could I Get By With 20% Changes Every 2 Weeks Or Should I Still Do It Weekly?

 

[Arimus]

Personally I would still do it weekly - its only 2 10l buckets...

 

[robertherrington]

Will Do Now I Just Have To Find 5 More One Gallon Containers

Thanks

 

[martyn21uk]

Best thing to do is test your water after one week and then keep testing daily until your nitrates reach too high. That way you'll know the longest length of time you can go. Remember the main purpose of the water change is to bring your nitrates down. Really you want to keep them under 40ppm but could get away with going a little bit higher with no ill effects. It might be the case that you want to carry on weekly but occasionally go 2 weeks. By testing between days 7 and 14 you'll know pretty quick what your limit is.

 

[Jozlyn]

Best thing to do is test your water after one week and then keep testing daily until your nitrates reach too high. That way you'll know the longest length of time you can go. Remember the main purpose of the water change is to bring your nitrates down. Really you want to keep them under 40ppm but could get away with going a little bit higher with no ill effects. It might be the case that you want to carry on weekly but occasionally go 2 weeks. By testing between days 7 and 14 you'll know pretty quick what your limit is.

That's a good idea. It would also give you an indication for holiday time limits.

 

[fishlette]

In my 30G I Will Have 4 Or 5 Platties, 1 Female Betta, And 1 Black Molly. Ive Added It All Up And It Equals 16 Inches. Before My Platies Breed, And I Have More Fish In The Tank Could I Get By With 20% Changes Every 2 Weeks Or Should I Still Do It Weekly?

definitely weekly is best. only a well filtered, long established aquarium can go longer between water changes

 

[Yazan]

You could do it every two weeks but to get out of problems and keep your tank clean you should do it once a week, I love doing it once a week as I like to work on my tanks, and yes it is hard work but yes, I love it!

 

[andywg]

Water changes frequency is dictated by the rate at which nitrates build up. In a tank as lightly stocked as that I would say fortnightly is fine. I can leave my tanks 10-14 days without any worry, and if I was a new member I would be flamed for overstocking my tanks

 

[nomadofthehills]

I am a big supporter of weekly water changes, regardless of nitrate buildup. Nitrates are not the only thing that accumulates in your tank, there area variety of dissolved organic compounds, as well as hormones and other things.

 

[intsikto]

how much percent of the water do you change weekly? 50? 25?

 

[nomadofthehills]

how much percent of the water do you change weekly? 50? 25?

Personally, never less than 50%.

 

[smooth_bourbon]

oh wow I never change out that much I do about 1/3. once a week, tho right now I have found I am overfeeding a bit so i am having to do changes more often.

 

[Gatorbait]

how much percent of the water do you change weekly? 50? 25?

Personally, never less than 50%.

Me too. At least 50% once a week but most of the time 2-3 times a week.

 

[Jozlyn]

I usually end up doing 50% weekly, by the time I've finished vaccuuming to my satisfaction at least half of the tank water is gone sometimes more!!!

 

[Yazan]

after doing a 50, i feel really tired.