JohnO method

pdlman · 09-19-2004, 05:15 AM

After reading some of his arguments/ideas on not changing his water, I have decided to give this a try. Today is the day when I usually change my water and I just checked my water params-they are all perfect-so why change the water. I will test a little more than usual just to make sure things don't get out of control. Two years of changing water down the drain. HAHA

JohnO · 09-19-2004, 12:43 PM

pdlman,

You really shouldn't attribute not doing regular water changes to me :-) *It's something that a lot of people do ( or don't do ).

Instead of just stopping altogether I suggest that you just lengthen the period between water changes for a while to see what happens. *eg: If you changed 5% every week, change 5% every 2 weeks. *Do that for a couple of months, then 5% every 4 weeks, all the time observing the reaction of the coral particularly. Coral is always a really good indicator or water quality.

Also keep at eye on algae growth, as the water changes you were doing from day one are now part of the normal part of your tanks cycle.

Let us all know what happens, I for one, am very interested :-)

John

milflyn · 09-19-2004, 05:00 PM

I work on a tri yearly cycle-every 4 months everything seems to get a bit out of wack-then I change the water GOOD LUCK

pdlman · 09-19-2004, 05:12 PM

John;
Do you also have the same theory with fresh water? I only have penguin bio wheels for filtration. 110 gal- 1 lrage oscar, 1 pleco, 2 pleco cats. It has been set up for 3yrs-the BIG Oscar rules

JohnO · 09-19-2004, 05:19 PM

Firstly, my good friend, it's not MY THEORY :-) LOL

I do have a very small tropical freshwater tank and I have not changed the water for 2 years. However, the fish in the freshwater tank are very few and are relatively easy to keep.

I'm not that familiar with the types of fish you are refering to, so I wont comment.

Just remember, all that is being discussed is regular water changes for no apparent reason :-)

John

somethingfishy · 09-20-2004, 01:51 PM

Pd, Great to here that you plan to experiment a little. As far as your fresh tank goes it seems like you would be okay not doing water changes with that size of tank. I would like to mention that your filtration seems a little inadequate for those big waste machines. How do your pleco's do with food clean up? Do you have anything to reduce nitrates?

Good luck and keep us updated?

pdlman · 09-20-2004, 02:16 PM

I am not going to take a chance on the fresh water-the Oscar is about the size of most of your computer screens. He is a dear and likes scratchings on his tummy, and produces way too much waste to make it possible IMHO. The SW tank I will give a go on the cut backs.

pdlman · 02-16-2005, 03:17 PM

Just to keep everyone updated I am up to 5 months in the SW, did not work on the FW, too much waste! I wish I could figure how to post pics so I could show you the tank. I ran into a snag with the magnesium and that has been the only problem. Regular dosing and that is it, and I am loaded with coral! All levels are perfect, low bioload and a good skimmer is they key! Thanks johno