Are waterchanges really needed?

[tdwyatt]

"once a month..."

we need an emoticon that shakes its head back and forth aAND rolles its eyes...

[Rick O]

Originally posted by tdwyatt
we need an emoticon that shakes its head back and forth aAND rolles its eyes...

How's this?

[SPC]

Originally posted by Rick O
How's this?

That one works for me Rick.
Steve

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by Rick O
How's this?

getting close, I think I will have to make it a project one weekend... yeah, that's it...


Actually a combo of those two emoticons would be perfect...

[RGibson]

On my Omega Sea salt bag change water every 30 days, Anthony Calfo- change the water every week, Alf Nilsen new book do it once a year. Take your pick of who is right. RGibson

[thefatman]

Originally posted by Mkelly
Why would you wait till you have water problems or algae problems before changing the water? One problem tends to trigger another so why not nip all that in the bud.

i agree. better to do preventive maintenance, than straight maintenance, or repairs.

ie: should i change my car's oil every 3,000 miles? or should i wait until the engine blows up? should i replace my brake pads every fews years, or wait until they fail and i rear end a truck?


i'm a firm believer in water changes, in both fw and sw, but i am also a slacker when it comes to this as well.

my fw shark tank hasn't had a water change in over a year. but it does get vacuumed, and the water goes through a filter, and right back into the tank, monthly. this tank is currently 7 years old, as are all the inhabitants with no losses. but it also runs two large powerfilters, a ugf, and the monthly maintenance.

my fowlr, hasnt had a water change in 2 months, but i test everything weekly, and add elements as needed.

however, my fowlr is also very new (set up in february) so i dont claim to have a wonderfully thriving tank. i jsut know it's working for the time being.

well i started this thread...and i had no clue as to why...but after following it for the past month or so...i can say i now do weekly waterchanges of 10%

[thefatman]

amazing i actually listen.....wow

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by mnreefman
well i started this thread... but after following it for the past month or so...i can say i now do weekly waterchanges of 10%

LOL, THAT is QUITE a commitment for you (at the size of the tank!)

[Toyfreek]

Trodder Said: ".) .) Gold fish for feeders is not really a bad thing health wise except for the chance of disease that you introduce.

From What I have read and been told there is a freshwater fish enzyme that can lead to liver failure in saltwater fish.

But, I cant tell from your posts if you are feeding freshwater fish only goldfish, or if you are feeding saltwater predators goldfish. If it is the latter you should try and stop doing it as it will catch up sooner or later
HTH,
Toy

[mojoreef]

Hehehe...Well I have done 2 Wc's on this tank. Not on purpose, but the carpets needed a good flush . On the last one I had the same water in it with out change for little over 4 years I believe. No algae problems (with the exception of the razor calurpa, which God sent to my tank to punish me) no fish disease, no rtn, great water quality all around???

So I pose a question back to thee WC folks. Which is better?
1. to clean and replenish the water you have or
2. to make yourself relient of an artifical blend of chemicals and salts that has been shown to be somewhat toxic????


spank you dont count

Mike

[Spanky]

Originally posted by mojoreef
spank you dont count

Mike

Dang

and I had the 300 page answer all ready too.

[mojoreef]

Memory like a steel trap, lol. You da man
'

Mike

[trodder]

goldfish would not live in a sw tank long enough to be eaten... The goldfish are for my Piranahs...(FW fish) The CAN NOT CHANGE to non-living food.!!!! It is not as simple as you state it. Especially with an aggressive predator.