How do I increase time between water changes?

[icydeath]

Over the summer, I am away from my tanks about 1 to 2 weeks at a time. I'm not worried about the planted tanks, but let's say I have a 55 with 6 discus in it (hypothetical, but I am liking that idea) it is bare bottom, no plants. Could I run a bucket algae scrubber to keep nitrates down? Besides nitrates what should I be worried about?

 

[icydeath]

Bump.

This isn't what to do to avoid water changes, it is what to do when you CAN'T do water changes. I'm not trying to avoid water changes. I am trying to find a method to put them off if I am on vacation or the like.

 

[ericwithac]

The only things I can think of;

Keep your substrate vaccumed/clean

Buy another filter? Im running a 201% filtration which means I do 50% water changed every other week, (or 25% every week).

Hope this helps!

 

[NigelK8485]

You could throw a couple of plants in just for the duration of the trip. Or...probably the best bet, just find someone you can trust to do a water change sometime while you're gone.

There are also products that you can put in your filter to remove nitrates. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4180 for instance.


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[Brookster123]

If you're not up for a weekly 50% wc you probably shouldn't bother with a tank. There is really nothing you can do to decrease the amount of wc's needed to sustain a health tank.

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[Hholly]

I have been using Seachem Matrix in my tanks for a few years and have had very healthy tanks even when I sometimes get a bit lazy. One of my tanks is pretty heavily stocked too. Not saying it's a cure all, but it can realistically help.

 

[Brookster123]

I have been using Seachem Matrix in my tanks for a few years and have had very healthy tanks even when I sometimes get a bit lazy. One of my tanks is pretty heavily stocked too. Not saying it's a cure all, but it can realistically help.

It's just a bio media, harbors bb...

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[Fresh2o]

If you under stock the tank, then it would be able to handle interruptions in tank maintenance. Lower bioload = lower waste.


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[Hholly]

It's just a bio media, harbors bb...

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Yeah, I meant to say in my filters, not tanks.

 

[Mattyfelts]

... it's discus, their needy... I you can't tend to their needs get a hardier less demanding fish


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[mikem691]

The only things I can think of;

Keep your substrate vaccumed/clean

Buy another filter? Im running a 201% filtration which means I do 50% water changed every other week, (or 25% every week).

Hope this helps!

No matter how much filtration you have it cant replenish the minerals and will still need water changes to remove nitrAtes. Discus need to stay supper low on the trates. The only thing I can tell you is a large 80% or better right before you leave and again as soon as you are back. I have seen some post about an auto changer but know nothing about how that works.

 

[Mebbid]

How about just skipping the whole water change process?

 

[ericwithac]

How about just skipping the whole water change process?

This is interesting, i wish i had the time to watch this at work right now!

 

[treemanone2003]

One week is the most I would ever consider. As long as they're full grown adults. Anything over 7 days is asking for trouble IMO. To go 2 weeks is just too much. Even in my adult tank I don't go past 3 days. IF you were to have Discus and need to be away that long, here's how I would handle it. Do an 85-95% WC and fast them the day before you leave. Feed once lightly the day you leave. Upon returning, 80-90% WC that day and lightly feed once after WC. Second day back a 50% WC and a couple small feedings. Adult can go up to 2+ weeks without feeding but it's not something I would do often.


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[friscuba]

I've been looking at the same thing myself. I'm getting to that age where walking away from the tank for a couple weeks sounds attractive.

Post number 12 was going to be my recommendation as well. You'll need a drain available to really do it right. Then it's a matter of a water supply and possibly an inline filter to remove chlorine or other stuff depending on your water supply, maybe a small inline water heater if you are looking at a lot of gallons in exchange. I'd probably set it up with an automatic feeder set to feed at minimum, then follow the before/after water change and feeding recommendations in the post directly above mine.

 

[Millerman]

I think if your tank is nears a water supply I would try to set up some type of drip water changer like someone suggested. If not you could set up something like this

http://youtu.be/XtekO7RRRcA

 

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Plants, put plants in a HOB, make an algae/plant scrubber sump, get a larger tank with the same amount of fish/very large sump.

Like if you got one of those dual stands and ran a 55g sump that would effectively put the time out for water changes by 2. They would could put plants in it so the discus wont bug them and you could have an auto top off.

 

[Caliban07]

If you're not up for a weekly 50% wc you probably shouldn't bother with a tank. There is really nothing you can do to decrease the amount of wc's needed to sustain a health tank.

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Huh?

... it's discus, their needy... I you can't tend to their needs get a hardier less demanding fish

What?

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OP if you can't avoid a vacation or if you ever have to leave your town for one reason or another (scary), I would follow treeman's advice here.

Good luck.


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[Brookster123]

Huh?




OP if you can't avoid a vacation or if you ever have to leave your town for one reason or another (scary), I would follow treeman's advice here.

Good luck.


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Why huh? Thought it was pretty clear. Only one way to truly reset nitrates.



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[Caliban07]

Why huh? Thought it was pretty clear. Only one way to truly reset nitrates.



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Thought the not bothering with a tank comment was a bit unnecessary.

The rest was fine.


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