water changes?

mousey · 01-12-2006, 05:52 PM

Since this question's answer is dependant on the plant issue i placed it here.
Do any of you change the water less in your planted tanks because there is less nitrate in the water with plants or are you all adding PMDD and change it more?
In theory We should be able to do water changes maybe only monthly if the plants gobble up the nitrates.

mousey

shev · 01-12-2006, 06:31 PM

Water changes also replenish other nutrients, but I definately do fewer water changes since my water actually does have some nitrates in it.

fishfreaks · 01-13-2006, 02:03 AM

Really i think it depends on how planted the tank is and stocking levels. Ours is lightly planted so we still do waterchanges once about every week and a half. Even though the tank is planted it does always need regular water changes. Whenever your nitrates start getting high, water change

**Damon** · 01-13-2006, 06:19 AM

Depends more on the type of fertilization and "tech" type.

The E.I. (estimative index) method calls for adding more than enough ferts to keep from being limited in any of the, followed by a 50% waterchange after the week to reduce excess. A high light tank also requires more ferts and needs the change to keep from building up also. Low tech tanks and fewer plants require less ferts and thus less waterchanges.

Thomas · 01-13-2006, 07:43 AM

I don't know how to "calculate" the amount of water change because of fert / plants etc. I simply do the same thing before and after I put in plants. In fact, for me, plants do not help to reduce nitrate at all. 30% water change every week and the nitrate is still 40 ppm or even more. This is about the same before I planted the tank

mousey · 01-16-2006, 07:52 AM

Thanks guys.
i guess i will just carry on doing a change Q 2weeks like i always do. i just fert micros with excell flourish or some such. I never have checked my nitrates.

**Damon** · 01-16-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas

I don't know how to "calculate" the amount of water change because of fert / plants etc. I simply do the same thing before and after I put in plants. In fact, for me, plants do not help to reduce nitrate at all. 30% water change every week and the nitrate is still 40 ppm or even more. This is about the same before I planted the tank

Tank specs?

DavidDoyle · 01-16-2006, 11:32 AM

Plants do nothing to remove disolved solids from the tank. Do the same weekly changes with or without them IMO.

**Damon** · 01-16-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidDoyle

Plants do nothing to remove disolved solids from the tank. Do the same weekly changes with or without them IMO.

Could you be more specific? DOCs will eventually break down to nutreints useable by plants. Not overnight but some DOCs are good.

01-12-2006, 05:52 PM	#1
mousey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 764 User Feedback: (0)	water changes? Since this question's answer is dependant on the plant issue i placed it here. Do any of you change the water less in your planted tanks because there is less nitrate in the water with plants or are you all adding PMDD and change it more? In theory We should be able to do water changes maybe only monthly if the plants gobble up the nitrates. mousey

01-13-2006, 02:03 AM	#3
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303 User Feedback: (5)	Really i think it depends on how planted the tank is and stocking levels. Ours is lightly planted so we still do waterchanges once about every week and a half. Even though the tank is planted it does always need regular water changes. Whenever your nitrates start getting high, water change __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS Last edited by fishfreaks; 01-13-2006 at 02:06 AM.

01-13-2006, 06:19 AM	#4
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	Depends more on the type of fertilization and "tech" type. The E.I. (estimative index) method calls for adding more than enough ferts to keep from being limited in any of the, followed by a 50% waterchange after the week to reduce excess. A high light tank also requires more ferts and needs the change to keep from building up also. Low tech tanks and fewer plants require less ferts and thus less waterchanges. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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01-12-2006, 06:31 PM	#2
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561 User Feedback: (0)	Water changes also replenish other nutrients, but I definately do fewer water changes since my water actually does have some nitrates in it.

01-13-2006, 07:43 AM	#5
Thomas Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 97 User Feedback: (0)	I don't know how to "calculate" the amount of water change because of fert / plants etc. I simply do the same thing before and after I put in plants. In fact, for me, plants do not help to reduce nitrate at all. 30% water change every week and the nitrate is still 40 ppm or even more. This is about the same before I planted the tank

01-16-2006, 07:52 AM	#6
mousey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 764 User Feedback: (0)	Thanks guys. i guess i will just carry on doing a change Q 2weeks like i always do. i just fert micros with excell flourish or some such. I never have checked my nitrates.

01-16-2006, 11:32 AM	#8
DavidDoyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 89 Posts: 497 User Feedback: (0)	Plants do nothing to remove disolved solids from the tank. Do the same weekly changes with or without them IMO.

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