water changes in a planted tank

[875mill]

Going to start up my first planted tank. Was want to know will I have to do more frequent water changes or a higher % to keep the alges down or less. Or will it just be the same as an unplanted tank?

 

[travis simonson]

It depends on how much light you're using. A low-light (1-1.5 wpg) tank generally doesn't require more water changes than an unplanted tank. A high-light (3+ wpg) tank will usually require weekly 50-70% water changes to prevent accumulation of organics in the water column.

 

[875mill]

when you do the water changes to you vacuum the gravel every week, or just siphon water out of the top of the tank?

 

[travis simonson]

In a heavily planted tank you rarely need to vacuum the gravel because the plants will do a good job of consuming the nutrients in the detritus. In less heavily planted tanks it's a good idea to vacuum the substrate if you see debris collecting.

 

[malkore]

or if you have messy fish, there's usually somehwere in the foreground plants where junk will accumulate. siphon it off to keep nitrates from skyrocketing.