Water change frequency?

[twoodrough]

I have been around and reading for a couple years now. I thought I had always read that smaller frequent changes were better because they are less disruptive to water paramaters. Twice in the last week I have seen people on this site say that bigger changes once a week are better than smaller multiple changes in a week.

I know there are different levels of expertise and many opinions out there.

I need clarification because I am considering to going to two 25-30% changes per week vs. one 50%.

Which way is better and what are your reasons for thinking so?

 

[BHead707]

i personally do 3-4 25% changes a week, just cause i dont mind doing it and a single bucket change on a 20G is very simple, plus my GBRs appreciate a lower nitrate reading thus more changes are needed

 

[LyndaB]

We do 50% water changes weekly on all of our tanks.

 

[Ardynas]

50% weekly

 

[Cornstar]

I do 2-3 20% a week to not disrupt them.

 

[fort384]

I have always done 30-40% weekly on my tanks.

 

[Rhino]

I do a 20% every week same day.

 

[Cynic]

I try to do 2 x 25% changes.

 

[jlk]

I am not as religious about wcs as serious fancy goldfish breeders (100% daily) but I do follow a hefty wc schedule- 50-70% atleast 2x a week. Healthier the water, the healthier the fish & the more stable your parameters. Obviously, everyone has different opinions & you will need to decide what works the best for your situation.

 

[ccross]

I'm currently doing 25% daily because my tank wasnt cycled like I thought it was. Once I'm fully cycled I will be doing 2 25% weekly's just to keep it well maintained

 

[rasbora]

80% weekly

 

[nwsharksfan]

40% every other week. Guess I'm just lazy.

 

[George9]

I do, hmm, about 30-50% weekly. It usually depends how patient I am waiting for the water to drain that week, but no less then 30%.

 

[Terrance]

More water change = good thing. I do around 50% every week.

Two 25% water change is not as good as one 50% water change per week.

 

[George9]

More water change = good thing. I do around 50% every week.

Two 25% water change is not as good as one 50% water change per week.

Can I ask, why is one 50% better than two staggered 25% pwcs, just curious.

 

[Aspencer]

I test my water a lot and let my NitrAtes level determine my shedule...most of my tanks are done at a 50% every fourth day. My fish do not seem to mind water changes on a regular basis.

 

[Terrance]

Can I ask, why is one 50% better than two staggered 25% pwcs, just curious.

Lets say you are about to do back to back pwc.
When you do the first 25% pwc, you add the new water to the tank and dilute it with old tank water. When you go do the second 25% pwc, you don't take out as much old water because you will also take out some of the new water.

 

[George9]

Lets say you are about to do back to back pwc.
When you do the first 25% pwc, you add the new water to the tank and dilute it with old tank water. When you go do the second 25% pwc, you don't take out as much old water because you will also take out some of the new water.

Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks

 

[Daxhua]

I do at least one sometimes two 20% or 50% water changes a week. The point is to do water changes as many/often as you can depending on your personal schedule and depending on your tanks parameters. Most of if not all of our tanks are closed loop systems unlike in a river, lake, or ocean where nature replaces waste water, and other important minerals 24/7. That is why it is improtant to do reqular water changes in our tanks not only to remove waste but to replenish minerals and buffers that to a degree is found in tap and well water which both fish and plants benefit from.

 

[calfishguy]

I do one 50% a week on my 55 and one 25% on my ten the frequency and size depends on the amount of fish you have and the rate that your nitrates climb.