Is It Possible to Change the Water Too Often in a Fish Tank?

Partial changes that involve taking out less than 40 percent of established aquarium water and replacing it with treated water are often recommended to be done at least every two weeks. Many freshwater fish keepers often cite the example of 2.8 gallons of water changed every two weeks in a 10-gallon tank, but this recommendation is cited as a minimum frequency. In smaller tanks, the water must be changed more often. On paper, very frequent water changes may seem ideal because the parameters of an established tank are supposed to worsen as time goes by. However, the reality of numerous water changes will tell you this isn’t always the case. The staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted provider of freshwater and saltwater aquarium supplies, explains how often you should change the water in your tank.

Water Changes Before Introducing Fish

The most ideal method to establish a tank and make it reach its nitrogen cycle takes a few weeks. Patient aquarists may even wait a couple of months if they’re designing a nice planted aquascape. During this period of establishment, frequent water changes are actually more beneficial. Changing 25 percent every 4 days for a month would be the equivalent of two full tank changes. This of course depends on which plant substrate you use and the directions for that brand. As long as you’re not draining the tank so the biological filter is without water, this is an excellent method of establishing a tank, but mostly because plants and bacteria won’t be bothered in the substrate and filters.

Water Changes After Introducing Fish

With planted substrate there’s usually ammonia in the mix, so once ammonia levels are reduced to safe levels for fish, you should start with resilient species and allow for a few days of bacterial bloom. The water will get cloudy for about three days, and this will let you know that bacteria are starting to reproduce and colonize. The aeration system will take care of the cloudiness as Nitrobacter finds its way toward the biological filter as it feeds on nitrogen. Water changes shouldn’t be performed during the bacterial bloom period.

Disturbing the Aquarium and Stressing Fish

Fish keepers usually do more than just scoop water out and replace it with dechlorinated tap water. They take advantage of the situation to vacuum the substrate and remove floating debris with nets and skimmers. Some species are bound to get stressed by this process, which would be the main argument against doing it too frequently. On the other hand, curious and gregarious fish may swim around the vacuum tube in a playful manner. The key here is to have driftwood or rocks for the most skittish species to hide. Moreover, aquarists should always be gentle and mindful so the habitat isn’t disturbed.

Infrequent Water Changes

Properly established tanks with plants and a nice diversity of species including scavengers, bottom feeders, and algae eaters won’t need too much maintenance. A ecologically balanced aquarium is pretty much a self-cleaning tank, and this results in a lesser need to do water changes. However, 25 percent of water changed in a month is still recommended as a minimum.

Water changes are a crucial aspect of maintaining an aquarium, but you’ll also need several key supplies to care for it properly. Whether you need a dosing pump, protein skimmer, filtration, testing kids, or any other aquarium supply, you can find what you need at Aquatic Warehouse. You can order what you need on our website, stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.