Is it true you don't have to do any water changes?

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

Is it true that you don't have to do any water changes if it is a 20 gallon FOWLR tank? How and why is that possible, and how come for a freshwater tank you have to do frequent water changes?

 

[Slocke]

You should do water changes in all aquariums. Yes a FOWLR is a little easier and you can do fewer but Id never do none.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

You should do water changes in all aquariums. Yes a FOWLR is a little easier and you can do fewer but Id never do none.

What would you say is the minimum for a 20 gallon tank?

 

[BanZI29]

You do have to change the water in any tank you have. for saltwater, it replenishes the elements that have been used by any corals you have I.E. calcium, alk, Ect. the only way you can reduce water changes. is if you dose your main and trace elements. It will also help keep elements like nitrate and phosphate in check. those are good to have, but too much can hurt your tank.
For a 20 gal tank, I would say 5 gal per week.

 

[Slocke]

What would you say is the minimum for a 20 gallon tank?

For a small FOWLR maybe 5-10 gallons monthly. Depends a lot on how heavily stocked.

 

[FoolishWizard]

There are plenty of people who have had and have success without doing water changes... Def not the norm nor the suggested route for most though.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

There are plenty of people who have had and have success without doing water changes... Def not the norm nor the suggested route for most though.

Is it because the live rock/sand acts as a filter?

 

[Rugops]

Is it because the live rock/sand acts as a filter?

Deep sand beds, tons of softies, and rock have certainly helped me along with a packed refugium full of calupera and a sort of red algae I can't remember the name of.

I haven't done a water change in maybe 4 or 5 months. It is just as logical to replace any elements without the necessity to do water changes.

 

[FishTruck]

Depends, water changes accomplish things, but not the only way to skin the cat.

I think you are talking about water changes as a method to remove detritus and nutrients. In some tanks, this is mandatory. Some, not.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

I am really confused about all of this: some say do water changes every week, some say once a month, and now some say almost never?

My tank is a 20 gallon high FOWLR tank

 

[Waters]

Your water change frequency/amounts are determined by your nutrient levels. Your nutrients (specifically nitrates in a FOWLER) will continue to climb unless they are removed or taken care of by another method (converting to nitrogen gas for example). Reef tanks can often not do any water changes because the nitrates and phosphates are being consumed, and missing elements are dosed.

 

[FishTruck]

I am really confused about all of this: some say do water changes every week, some say once a month, and now some say almost never?

My tank is a 20 gallon high FOWLR tank

Don't be confused. I would definitely start with regular water changes. Over time, you may find that there are other ways to remove nutrients, detritus, and to rebalance the tank chemistry. Until you figure that out, get good at water changes. 10 to 20% per month is a good starting place. Just make sure you know how to do water changes safely.

It is safer to change 5% per week, rather than 20% per month. But, more time efficient to do the once per month water change. Your tank... your call.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

Don't be confused. I would definitely start with regular water changes. Over time, you may find that there are other ways to remove nutrients, detritus, and to rebalance the tank chemistry. Until you figure that out, get good at water changes. 10 to 20% per month is a good starting place. Just make sure you know how to do water changes safely.

What is "water changes safely"? Can I just use a plastic pitcher and scoop up about 2 gallons from my 20 gallon tank weekly? Or should I vacuum the sand bed?

 

[angelsandtangs]

I do 100 gallons every 3 weeks in my 400 gallon folwr system probably 300 gallons true water .. nitrates stay around 20 and it’s heavily stocked to keep aggression down mostly tangs and angels

 

[Seansea]

Whats your filtration? How good it is will depend on how often you should do water changes

 

[Rugops]

I am really confused about all of this: some say do water changes every week, some say once a month, and now some say almost never?

My tank is a 20 gallon high FOWLR tank

We are only giving you examples of what can be done but all of them have their different methods and it comes down to how YOUR tank runs.

If you have incontrollable nutrient levels and/or no sump, water changes are ideal and the best way to manage this.

For saltwater, our tanks use rock as our filter. In the case of freshwater, they don't have that luxury (although deep sand beds help) and USUALLY had to do water changes. I came out of freshwater and used certain floating plants to help absorb any excess nutrients.

In a nutshell. Do water changes.

 

[Uncle99]

Water changes are a great tool for managing your nutrient levels. If your system runs a stable nutrient level in a fowlr, I see no reason to waste salt and water, and your money.

When nutrients are on the rise, hold them steady with water changes.

 

[The_Paradox]

If you need it for nutrient export then they are needed. How frequent and how much you have to figure out for yourself.

If you are doing water changes to add back in elements, then you’re pretty much wasting your time and money. Anything that is consumed from freshly mixed saltwater will eventually be depleted no matter how much water you change unless you dose.

 

[KrisReef]

I am really confused about all of this: some say do water changes every week, some say once a month, and now some say almost never?

My tank is a 20 gallon high FOWLR tank

Don’t listen to what others say, you have to service (or listen) to what your tank says.

In other words, if it looks cloudy with funk on the bottom get out the siphon and clean up the mess.

If you have a nitrate test kit you can use it to make decisions on how much water you should change to keep the tank healthy.

As the tank matures the nitrate accumulation may slow down or just stop completely. Then you will not have to worry about bad water quality (for Fish, only Fish) in the future. Your fish tank may never get to that point, so what you are being told is how to get a handle on your fish tank. It will change over time.

New folks are best off by planning to do routine maintenance, including water changes and figuring things out as you go along by testing, observing and monitoring your water quality and fishes appearance and behavior and moods.

Having a clean fish tank is great practice for future life success. I need to clean my fish tank up soon but I am old and the fish are safe enough for now. Hth

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

I do 100 gallons every 3 weeks in my 400 gallon folwr system probably 300 gallons true water .. nitrates stay around 20 and it’s heavily stocked to keep aggression down mostly tangs and angels

Wow that is amazing. Carrying 100 gallons of water in buckets from the tank to the toilet. I can barely do ten gallons!