I've recently set up a 180L long boy, heavily planted with brazilian pennywort and pearl weed - both are thriving, especially the pennywort, which is now starting to spill out of the tank. I've got a school of about a dozen rummynose tetras and 5 corys in there, and my water parameters have been stable.
I've done a couple of 30% water changes over the past 1.5 months, mainly to get rid of some mulm and melting plants. It's been almost 3 weeks since the last change, and my water parameters still look good. I've heard a lot of conflicting opinions on this, so I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Optimal water change frequency for a heavily planted tropical tank
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TwinTankman - Posts: 60
- Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2022 1:55 am
Re: Optimal water change frequency for a heavily planted tropical tank
At a minimum, I'd recommend 50% weekly water changes, and for high-light, pressurized CO2 planted tanks, it's not uncommon to see twice-weekly changes. We tend to focus on replenishing what's been depleted, but another crucial reason is removing accumulating substances that can become detrimental beyond a certain threshold.
Established tanks develop unique water profiles, with intricate nuances down to the smallest components. Our test kits measure ammonia in parts per million, but there are other factors at play, some beneficial and others not. Plants significantly impact the water, consuming and producing substances that affect the overall profile – whether they're thriving or struggling.
In some cases, tap water lacks essential nutrients, and fertilizers may be necessary. Higher light levels accelerate plant growth, increasing their nutrient requirements. Regular water changes are vital in planted tanks, as clear water doesn't always mean healthy water. Many dissolved substances, including ammonia, are invisible, but they're still present.
Established tanks develop unique water profiles, with intricate nuances down to the smallest components. Our test kits measure ammonia in parts per million, but there are other factors at play, some beneficial and others not. Plants significantly impact the water, consuming and producing substances that affect the overall profile – whether they're thriving or struggling.
In some cases, tap water lacks essential nutrients, and fertilizers may be necessary. Higher light levels accelerate plant growth, increasing their nutrient requirements. Regular water changes are vital in planted tanks, as clear water doesn't always mean healthy water. Many dissolved substances, including ammonia, are invisible, but they're still present.
Re: Optimal water change frequency for a heavily planted tropical tank
Couldn't agree more, TwinTankman nailed it.
Re: Optimal water change frequency for a heavily planted tropical tank
Standard water tests only scratch the surface, giving us readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, as well as pH. Some kits might also throw in GH and KH measurements. But let's be honest, there's a whole lot more going on in that water than what these tests can detect. I mean, fish waste isn't just made up of ammonia, it's a complex mix of stuff.