Water Changes

m_lacom99 · 08-30-2004, 11:34 AM

Hey all...

If all my tests come out perfect

do i still have to do water changes? Or are water changes good when theres something wrong with your water? Stupid question i know but i was just wondering.

reefman_MC · 08-30-2004, 11:59 AM

I'm a big fan of water changes. I do a 5 gallon weekly water change on my 75 gallon regardless of water quality. I would suggest you do a small weekly or biweekly water change regardless of test levels. Just make sure you do not do large water changes all at once. Keep it spread out.

m_lacom99 · 08-30-2004, 01:09 PM

Ok you might find me annoying for this but WHY??? (geese i sound like my wife

)

If everything is ok and going good... why disrupt it by changing the water.... ok a small quantity should do much change to anything but thats exactly my point.

A friend of mine lets his water evaporate so much that to top it off he needs about 5 gals. Is that considered a water change or is there something more to taking the old water out to be replaced with some new water?

Thanks for putting up with this

Birdlady · 08-30-2004, 01:13 PM

I would never let 5 gallons evaporate out of my system!!! That wreaks havoc on the salinity levels because the salt does NOT evaporate but becomes more concentrated! Of course, 5 gallons on my tank is like......10% almost...

I don't believe that would count as a water change....

m_lacom99 · 08-30-2004, 01:16 PM

Thats what i told him... but he has a fish only tank and i guess he doesnt care....

somethingfishy · 08-30-2004, 01:45 PM

First of all I want to say this is about the most opinionated topic there is on fish keeping.

I would suggest doing changing the water on a regular schedule like RM mentioned. The idea is the less the parameters are changing the less stressful it is to the fish. Also, as you get familiar with your tank you probably won't test as often. You will be able to tell when there is a problem by changes in your tank. like fish behavior, water clarity, smell, blablabla... This is when I test my water to help evaluate the problem.

Topping of water dosn't constitute a water change. Toxins like Nitrites and Nitrates don't evaporate and removing these wastes is one of the purposes of a water change. I top off the water then I perform a water change after that. Remember that top off water needs to be fresh not salt because as BL pointed out salt dosn't evaporate.

somethingfishy · 08-30-2004, 01:51 PM

Oh, Tell your friend that I will care when his fish die. Why should animal cruelty stop at mammals. If a dog was lying in his own urine and feces you better believe there would be a problem.

um, [smiley=uneasy.gif] sorry had to vent, I do fell better now

. Thank ya'll for listening to my babbling.

Birdlady · 08-30-2004, 01:58 PM

I am waiting for the other shoe to drop on this forum.......

somethingfishy · 08-30-2004, 02:03 PM

Thats why I was trying to tread lightly. [smiley=uhoh2.gif]

JohnO · 08-30-2004, 02:49 PM

[quote author=m_lacom99 link=board=Water;num=1093901659;start=0#0 date=08/30/04 at 14:34:18]Hey all...

If all my tests come out perfect

do i still have to do water changes? *Or are water changes good when theres something wrong with your water? *Stupid question i know but i was just wondering. *

[/quote]

The shoes here :-)

Not a stupid question at all :-) If, as you say, your test results come out perfect, then of course you wouldn't do a water change. What would be the point?

John