water change question

[sansouci01]

If your tank water is stable. ( no ammonia, nitrates,nitrites are good, etc. ) is it still necessary to do water changes other than topping off water now and then?

 

[George9]

If your tank water is stable. ( no ammonia, nitrates,nitrites are good, etc. ) is it still necessary to do water changes other than topping off water now and then?

Yes, new water is good for the fish and makes everyone happier imo. It also keeps down smell, and makes the tank look cleaner

 

[sansouci01]

water change

Thanks. I've read that most people do 40 or 50% water changes weekly. I have a 55 gallon tank. That's a lot of water to change every week. Could I get by with less or should at least half be the norm.

 

[aqua_chem]

Regular water changes help control nitrates as well as dissolved organics, which we can't measure. They also replace minerals used by the fish, bacteria, and possibly plants in a tank.