small vs large water change

[Weyou]

I just want to improve the water quality. And I wanted to know the pros and cons of a large water change versus a small water change
I prefer small water changes because of my physical difficulty. If a large one is better then I would love to know if there will be an improvement in all of this in water quality with small water changes over one large change

 

[TheBear78]

It's really based on the maths.
As you're no doubt aware, how often they're carried out is a question of how long you're happy to let any undesirable nutrients/pollutants build up as well as how often you need to replace nutrients that get used up. That side of it is more difficult to put an answer to.
As for large vs small then obviously, as an example, two 10% changes will have less effect than a single 20%. However, if you're considering 10% every week vs 20% every two weeks then I think weekly would be more beneficial.
That said, I do 25% (100 litres) every two weeks but I'm happy that my relatively low bio load isn't putting too much into the water.

 

[Weyou]

It's really based on the maths.
As you're no doubt aware, how often they're carried out is a question of how long you're happy to let any undesirable nutrients/pollutants build up as well as how often you need to replace nutrients that get used up. That side of it is more difficult to put an answer to.
As for large vs small then obviously, as an example, two 10% changes will have less effect than a single 20%. However, if you're considering 10% every week vs 20% every two weeks then I think weekly would be more beneficial.
That said, I do 25% (100 litres) every two weeks but I'm happy that my relatively low bio load isn't putting too much into the water.

I just want to improve the water quality. And I wanted to know the pros and cons of a large water change versus a small water change
I prefer small water changes because of my physical difficulty. If a large one is better then I would love to know if there will be an improvement in all of this in water quality with small water changes over one large change

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I prefer many small changes. I changed 1% daily using many tiny and slow water changes each day, automatically.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just want to improve the water quality. And I wanted to know the pros and cons of a large water change versus a small water change
I prefer small water changes because of my physical difficulty. If a large one is better then I would love to know if there will be an improvement in all of this in water quality with small water changes over one large change

What aspect of water quality are you trying to improve?

 

[Weyou]

I prefer many small changes. I changed 1% daily using many tiny and slow water changes each day, automatically.

Not relevant regarding I have no budget for an automatic water exchange system

 

[TheBear78]

FWIW I have a 120 litre barrel that I put next to my tank and then pour in as many 25 litre barrels as I fancy changing. I then put in a heater and a little Sicce pump for circulation. Once it is up to temperature I syphon out the same number of 25 litre barrels (which I carry to the drain one at a time) and then use the little pump to refill tank.
I appreciate this is still lifting 25 litre barrels but something on a smaller scale might be possible that allows you to change a larger amount without having to move too much in one go?
Obviously having my own RO set up would be easier still but I am not at there yet!

 

[MarshallB]

I just want to improve the water quality. And I wanted to know the pros and cons of a large water change versus a small water change
I prefer small water changes because of my physical difficulty. If a large one is better then I would love to know if there will be an improvement in all of this in water quality with small water changes over one large change

Without getting deep into it, smaller more frequent water changes are slightly less efficient at removing things in the water since things in the water get diluted every time water is added. This is also something I would not be willing to do without automation, and I would definately get lazy with it eventually.

If you are going to be doing water changes by hand, then i'd vote larger less frequent water changes would be best. It's really how often you are Ok with having to do a water change. Weekly? Bi-weekly? The key is consistency unless you are trying to reduce something quickly.

 

[ReefGeezer]

"Improvement" is directly proportional to the quantity of water changed and the frequency of the changes. If you need a big improvement quickly, large water changes are needed. If you can make do with an improvement trend, smaller water changes can be done on a more frequent basis.

Large water changes are more risky because variance in temp, salinity, or alkalinity can stress inhabitants. Smaller water changes don't have as much potential to change these parameters quickly and are less stressful. They don't improve conditions as quickly though. It is true that a single big water change is slightly more efficient than multiple changes totaling the same amount, but the difference may not justify the stress potential.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Not relevant regarding I have no budget for an automatic water exchange system

Well, the sentiment that multiple small water changes are good and it need not be big ones was the point.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I show what different size water changes accomplish here:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Weyou]

What aspect of water quality are you trying to impon

 

[Weyou]

What aspect of water quality are you trying to impro
only water quality

 

[Weyou]

i just want to improve my water quality

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

i just want to improve my water quality

Ok, but without a definition of what that means, it’s hard to say what methods are needed.

 

[Dan_P]

I just want to improve the water quality. And I wanted to know the pros and cons of a large water change versus a small water change
I prefer small water changes because of my physical difficulty. If a large one is better then I would love to know if there will be an improvement in all of this in water quality with small water changes over one large change

What aspect of water quality do you want to improve?

 

[Weyou]

The truth is that I neglected the aquarium for a while and I haven't changed the water in 3 months.

 

[trainbob]

Because I am old I do small water changes. Have a 90 gallon system and used too change one gallon a day. But my nitrates and phosphates are low so decided to do one gallon every two days

 

[fr3n0z]

Not relevant regarding I have no budget for an automatic water exchange system

i was thinking to do a auto water changer AIO and super easy, still have to get to work on it. The catch is that you must have a drain near by. What i've tought is set a tube with a drip system (as the one for gardening) siphoning from the tank to the drain of choiche (in my case is 5mt from tank but tube is easily hidden, the cheap DIY ATO should do the rest. Must do the mat of drips only the right amount of water by day (in my case around 1lt to be roughly at 2% daily)