Suggested Water Changes

[hernanhr]

Is there a recommended amount of water that should be drained and replaced every week or month? We were told 10% a week and 25% a month. We used to do about 33% a month in our 38 gal tank, but now we have a 150gal tank so are worried that might be too much. Any thoughts?

hrh

 

[shroob]

The amount depends on stocking levels and types of fish. For instance a 55 gallon with 10 neons could get away with a 20% water change every 2 weeks. Howevever a 55 gallon with an oscar should be getting a 20% water change every weak atleast.

As a good guide however, 10% every week would be a minimum I would personally do.
What fish have you got in the 150G?

 

[hernanhr]

2 sm Chiclids
8 sm Neon’s
1 4" Knife fish
1 5" Silver dollar
1 7" Pacu
4 about 2" each Gouramis
4 sm tiger Barbs
5 1" long fin Tetris
1 12" Plecostomus
1 5" Plecostomus
1 4" Chinese sucker fish
2 2 1/2" platies fish
2 1 1/2"swordtails
2 2" Bala shark
2 2" Pictus catfish1 2" Peppered cory
1 1” male beta
1 1” female beta
and a few more to make 55 total fish.

I know now that most of these fish shouldn’t be together but no one ever told us before we did it. But for that matter, no one ever told the fish because they seem to be getting on just fine.

What water changes would you recommend for a 150 gal tank with this many fish?

hrh

 

[SJ2K]

10-20% weekly, thats alot of fish waste there.

 

[coldmachineUK]

A puffer keeper from another forum puts it quite simply: "the solution to pollution is dilution". Water changes, water changes, water changes

I aim for 50% a week on each tank. I manage it most weeks, sometimes it's two max. It may be effort, but the reward is in a nice clean looking tank and happy fish afterwards

You'll hear all kinds of different amounts from all kinds of different people, but my advice is you're better off changing out as much as you can up to 50% (no more than that).

 

[hernanhr]

How often would you clean the filter? We used to clean ours once a month when we cleaned the tank. if I start changing the water once a week then should I clean the filter once a week too?

hrh

 

[CrashingWaves]

I personally do about 20% water changes in my 55 gallon tank, once a week. I could get by with less but the fish thrive much more when I do weekly water changes.

God Bless,
Joshua