Water Changes

[BlueFox]

I have just set up a new 380l planted tank. In a few weeks/months, I expect to hace approximately 75-80% od the botton of the tank covered with plants. I have been told that, if kept healthy, my plants will feed on nitrates etc and keep them at bay.

My current water quality is as follows:

Carbonate hardness: 6
pH: 7.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5 ppm
Phosphates: 1 mg/l

Wpuld you guys still recommend monthly water changes? If so, what percentage? Or do I only need to do water changes when nitrates/ammonia/nitrites become a problem?

For info, I use DI water with Seachem Equillibrium added to restore trace elements.

 

[Phantom Thief]

A water change every fortnight, about 20-25%, would be more advisable. There's more in the water than just ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, so water changes are to remove those substances from the water.

P.T.

 

[bobbicus]

i think to be honest - you have to think about a fish natural environment - even though in some water environments there are plants and everything is in equilibrium and the NO3 are taken care of - IT STILL RAINS IN THE WILD - which is effectively a water change as this dilutes the nasties and adds new nutrients, oxygen and trace elements back to the water volume

i would go for 25% a month - to start when u get ur planted tank

to be honest in a properly cycled tank you should only see NO3 - if you do get a problem with NH4 or NO2 then water changes are needed to dilute these!!

my 2 penny!!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

30-35% weekly. Fish need two things to thrive in a tank- good food and clean water. I have 15 planted tanks and have been changing water weekly for years.