Evaporation water change

[hursab]

I live out in AZ and it is really dry out here.
I lose about two gallons to evaporation each week.

Does this count as a water change?

Assumptions:
1) Without actually changing the water the mineral concentration will increase
2) NO2 NO3 NH3 should theoretically decrease because the water I add had none of these so adding water would average PPM down.

I have not noticed anything really different in the behavior.
It is a really easy way to change 10% every week. :D lol

Thanks for your opinions and your help everyone
hope you are having a good day!

[rich311k]

No it does not count as a water change. All the bad stuff stays behind when the water evaporates. It will make your water harder and harder if you just replace the lost water.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Your problem lies in Assumption #2. As the water volume decreases, the concentrations of those would all go up as well. You still need to be removing water and replacing it.

[lahlumdi]

Sadly - you still need to do water changes. As they said - it would just get more and more concentrated.

[Lab_Rat]

Your problem lies in Assumption #2. As the water volume decreases, the concentrations of those would all go up as well. You still need to be removing water and replacing it.

:yeahthat:

[hursab]

Well it was worth a shot it would have been great!

I dont think it will decrease the time between water changes either.

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Now its just extra water to add lol

Any suggestions on 10% a week verse 25%-30% a month?

[yamaracer5]

I hear you on the evaporation.We live over in Payson AZ which is about a hour and half from where you are.Definately getting more and more dry as we head into winter.

[travie]

Invest in a humidifier for the room/s with fish tank/s if you notice the evaporation is becoming too big of a problem. A humidifier should greatly reduce your evaporation.

[hursab]

I hear you on the evaporation.We live over in Payson AZ which is about a hour and half from where you are.Definately getting more and more dry as we head into winter.


that is cool!! I was planning to fly over there for lunch tomorrow.

What a great restaurant at the airport, and the view oh my goodness.

Make sure you enjoy the food over there.

[rhonin]

All depends on the size of the tank and what your filter can handle.

As a general rule I test my water weekly and do water changes based on that. I also keep in mind what my fish can handle.

My nursery tank, being mostly Calvus and Compressiceps, I do smaller more frequently. The Calvus seem to be a bit sensitive to bigger water changes.

My Tropheus and Mbuna's I do 25% monthly or as indicated by testing. Those guys love the change and will fight to play in the water I add back in!

[yamaracer5]

that is cool!! I was planning to fly over there for lunch tomorrow.

What a great restaurant at the airport, and the view oh my goodness.

Make sure you enjoy the food over there.


Yep,the food is awesome.Best biscuits and gravy around!!Tommorrow should be another beautiful day.Low 70's again!Have a safe flight!!

[Lady Hobbs]

I do a large water change weekly but after about 3 days have to add more water to replace evaporation.

[robflanker]

Most ppl here do about 20-25% weekly WC as a minimum.

Some do 30-50%

10% weekly is too small of a WC IMO

[Lab_Rat]

If I were you I'd do 25% weekly. I personally do 50% weekly.

[Rue]

I try for 25-30% or so every 2 weeks - sometimes it runs to 3 weeks.

If your stocking is higher, you likely need to do larger water changes more often.

But I top up regularily. And really, you should top up just before a WC as well, so you keep up with amount of contaminants you're removing by doing the water changes.

Find a scheduale that works for you, and stick to it. Consistancy is important with fish tanks. Fish can adapt very well.

[Scrup]

I hear you on the evaporation. Living in boulder,a mile above sea level and having dry air, I lose about 2" of water every week in my 200G. Now with a sump it is even faster. in 2 days I lost 1"!!!

Gonna be a fun winter. At least its a bit more humid in the summer.

[bushwhacker]

i do 50% weekly, even tho i rarely show any nitrates in the tanks as they are all planted. the tanks are all open topped so i get a bit of evaporation. lol i use that as an indicator of when to do a water change

[Aeonflame]

My tanks are planted and I do 70% a week on my 70 gallon.

[rich311k]

I chnge 50% + weekly. I do replace as the water evaporates I hate seeing the top of the water.

[Northernguy]

I try for 50% every 4-5 days if I have the time.
Once a week is best.
Even with one fish in a tank what you are doing would not be enough.Sorry!:22: