Smaller Bio Load Less Water Changes?

[rsands]

invest in a python fill no spill system if the water changes with buckets is going to be hassle. it sucks from the tank to a sink and fills from the sink tap. if you have a mixer tap setup you can even adjust the temp before it goes into the tank so its correct. (btw it doesn't rely on naturally gravitation force to suck from the tank..it uses the power of the tap water flowing through the pump system).

Gravel hoovering and water changes are done in no time with it i have heard...mine arrives tomorrow hopefully

 

[andywg]

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.

However, in a tank with less than half the normal amount of bioload, such things will accumulate at half the rate, so the need for weekly changes diminishes.

 

[Yazan]

I don't have money to buy a 'python'

 

[rsands]

go to http/www.fishandfins.co.uk/misc.htm

there is a cheaper alternative that does the same job at £29 if thats of any interest. or in the hardware section of this forum i think someone describes how to make one from hozelock garden hose adaptors that works well. i am nearly sure it is pinned

 

[Yazan]

£29

can't bother to pay that

 

[martyn21uk]

can't bother to pay that

Well don't complain about it then and don't reply with short sharp statements when somebody has gone to the trouble of trying to resolve something you were moaning about, giving you links and suggestions. To me thats just plain rude.

 

[rsands]

I'll asume your ignorance means you dont want the help and advise, and on that note i will not lower myself to helping someone that rejects the suggestions with ignorance. If you don't want to be bothered mantaining your tank the hard way or the easy way then dont take up the hobby.

 

[Gatorbait]

martyn21k and rsands, aren't you guys being a tad bit harsh?

Yazan stated, perhaps too curt but it's the internet, we all all short sometimes when we don't mean to be, that he/she didn't want to spend the money for a Python. I don't see a problem as long as it's getting done anyways and by his/her quote here, it sounds like it...

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!

Unless I'm missing something that was said in another thread (or in this one maybe?) If so, I apologize in advance for missing it.

 

[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.

However, in a tank with less than half the normal amount of bioload, such things will accumulate at half the rate, so the need for weekly changes diminishes.

Thats why I didn't say they were nessesary, just that I am a big supporter of weekly water changes (I'm a cichlidophile)

 

[Jozlyn]

Ummm guys, settle down a bit, Yazan was not the OP and if you go back a page you'll see that s/he enjoys doing his/her weekly water changes!!!!!!

But to add another idea to this thread:

Lower bioload = Lower amounts of bacteria = no change to water change routine? Unless the tank is so big that all the toxins are heavily diluted.... just something I've been thinking about.

 

[andywg]

Lower bioload = Lower amounts of bacteria = no change to water change routine? Unless the tank is so big that all the toxins are heavily diluted.... just something I've been thinking about.

Nope.

The governing factor in how quickly nitrates accumulate is the amount of ammonia produced. This depends on the amount of fish. Less fish means less ammonia being converted to less nitrite which is in turn converted to less nitrates, meaning the main cause of weekly water changes is reduced.

 

[rsands]

i am not getting up tight about it...but short blunt comments twice and putting the word python in: '' gives a hint of ignorance in my books! Anyhow...

the bacteria numbers would only be there in numbers that will support the waste ammonia and nitrites...so as there are lower bacteria numbers then the water changes are still required. best way is to just test the water.

 

[andywg]

the bacteria numbers would only be there in numbers that will support the waste ammonia and nitrites...so as there are lower bacteria numbers then the water changes are still required. best way is to just test the water.

The bacteria numbers will be lower because there is less waste to process.

Think about it: 2 tanks, identical except bioload. Let's say one generates 10ppm ammonia per week. Assuming none is absorbed but plants or other processes, that will be converted during the week through 10ppm nitrites to 10ppm nitrate.

Let's say the other generates 20ppm ammonia per week. This will become 20ppm nitrates per week.

The amount of bacteria is not the important function here. The bacteria grow to the waste level. The reason you do water changes is to deal with the end result of the filtration process (nitrate).

In the above examples, the second tank will accumulate (for want of a better word) nitrate twice as fast as the first tank, so will need water changes more often to keep the nitrate at the desired rate.

 

[martyn21uk]

In the above examples, the second tank will accumulate (for want of a better word) nitrate twice as fast as the first tank, so will need water changes more often to keep the nitrate at the desired rate.

Explained perfectly I think!!

 

[Jozlyn]

In the above examples, the second tank will accumulate (for want of a better word) nitrate twice as fast as the first tank, so will need water changes more often to keep the nitrate at the desired rate.

Explained perfectly I think!!

Yep, agreed!