On water changes

[Lindsey]

If I did a 10% water change daily, could I nearly eliminate larger water changes? I've been doing 50% weekly, but without a vacuum and no money to buy one right now, it's an enormous hassle to haul that much water around and I always get the carpet around the aquarium stand soaked! I'd much rather change just a little water every day instead of dreading one day a week that'll soak my living room. What do you guys think?

[Rue]

That's the better option actually, but most people don't have time to do daily changes...

[Mith]

That's the better option actually, but most people don't have time to do daily changes...

So in general, more frequent water changes of less water is better? I think I like that program!!!!!

[Fishguy2727]

Just watch your nitrate concentration to make sure the schedule is actually working the way it should.

[Gemini]

I have also heard that daily smaller changes are better than one massive one - but as the others have said usually people don't have the time/inclination to change every day.
If you can do this option great - but as Fishguy said monitor your levels to make sure it is working.

[Rue]

Yes, a daily change would mimic nature more closely (at least provides some 'flow')...toxins don't have a chance to build up, but you need to keep it up...

[Mith]

Yes, a daily change would mimic nature more closely (at least provides some 'flow')...toxins don't have a chance to build up, but you need to keep it up...

This is EXACTLY why I'm here....ya learn something new every day!! WOOT WOOT!

[1fastneonrt]

Now I would like to clear something up for people that don't know better. Daily water changes are not necessary; it all depends on your fish load. 10% to 15% weekly water changes will be the most common on lower stocked tanks with a 25% to 50% monthly change. The amount of water changes is relative to the fish load and or the type of fish. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I am sorry I had to clear things up, the post didn't seem to make sense to do 50% H2O changes but after reading some more I get it now.

[brianyu]

50% WEEKLY ! that mean 200% monthly lol yes that all make sense !
about water change schedule, i read about some guys try to sell there no water change theory in the net he he, they fill up there tank of plant (50%) , and there platy live for 4 years with no filter, no water change, feed 1 time a week ! they even have 10 more baby platy grew up in that terrible tank :11:

[korith]

For sure smaller water changes would be fine, but I don't think many people have the dedication to do that on a daily basis. About the carpet getting wet, trust me I've done that several times. Eventually you get better at water changes and less of it makes it to the floor. I usually put an old carpet runner in front of the tank when I do water changes, or when cleaning/planting the tank.

Think you would still need to gravel vac, all the debris/waste from the gravel probably at least once a month. If you have no gravel vac, can just use the plastic tubing to do that. The place I think with the most reasonable price for a hand siphon gravel vac is probably walmart.

[Wild Turkey]

Yup, smaller, more frequent water changes will not hurt at all, however not vacuuming the substrate can. Get a siphon they are about 5-7 dollars for a cheap one.

[Fishguy2727]

There is a whole article in my blog and somewhere in the forum (not sure where) on stocking an aquarium and it includes the relationship between bioload and water changes.

Most people stock much more heavily than 25% weekly water changes will be adequate for.

[94 sentra_xe]

just go to walmart, the syphon vac's are amasing, you dont have to worry about spilling all over the floor (unless you cant use both hands doing 2 things at once (aiming hoze and vac'ing bottom)) it does a pretty good job, and i do about 25% every week, water is crystal clear and my subsitrate is nice and clean and the vac's from walmart are 6 dollars, grab some change out of the laundry every day and you can have a vac in like a week lol