Have we been doing aquariums wrong?

[Torrey]

On 6/28/2022 at 1:33 PM, Fishguy said:

https://youtu.be/CLaWAYem6aw In this video he does everything people always say not to do, and his fish are THRIVING. 

This was probably the most interesting fish related video I have ever watched. 

I have had multiple filterless tanks. There's a thread on a historical tank, I can't remember whose... anyway it doesn't even have air.

I tried the no airstones.... and I also feed mosquito algae in the summer. Let's just say my filterless tank has airstones now.

If you want more information, The Treatise on the Planted Aquarium by Dr Diana Walstad may interest you.

[ccc24]

In this vein, when I got back in the hobby this time, I purposely have gone with heavily planted tanks - to set myself up for 1+ month maintenance intervals. I went into the set-up with intention of only needing to water change, scrub, etc - once a month or less (once the tank is established). So far two of the 4 are there and maintain stable parameters for well over a month plus. The 2 that aren’t there are new tanks, and it takes me a few months to get them dialed in. That said, depending on where one posts that information, the thought that I wouldn’t water change my 3.5g more than once a month (or less) would be heresy and get one’s self banned from a group. 
Someone posted about garbage to gospel earlier - that’s the truth. 

[Pepere]

On 7/1/2022 at 4:34 AM, ccc24 said:

That said, depending on where one posts that information, the thought that I wouldn’t water change my 3.5g more than once a month (or less) would be heresy and get one’s self banned from a group. 

Well, it sure begs the question…. What is the purpose of a water change?  What is the goal we hope to accomplish when doing a water change?

 

if ammonia, nitrites are 0 and nitrates are under 20, and ph, gh and kh are good, already, what exactly is a water change going to accomplish?  Maybe add some trace minerals?

[ccc24]

On 7/1/2022 at 4:02 AM, Pepere said:

Well, it sure begs the question…. What is the purpose of a water change?  What is the goal we hope to accomplish when doing a water change?

 

if ammonia, nitrites are 0 and nitrates are under 20, and ph, gh and kh are good, already, what exactly is a water change going to accomplish?  Maybe add some trace minerals?

Exactly. 
I think it’s some unspoken “law” in fishkeeping. But you are right, if all your numbers are good - why change the water, just for the sake of changing water?

I have only done so to prevent “old tank syndrome” as the tanks are so small that if I let the pH drift too far, then the water change could shock them in such a small tank. 
That said, I have just short of liquid rock coming out of my tap - so it’s pretty buffered against wild swings. 
I don’t think people actually try to learn the “why” behind certain actions, so they can determine if it is applicable to their tanks. I’m sure if my water was more acidic and not near as buffered, it would be more risky to go as long as I do but the rule people are taught is “must change” not “this is why you must change.”

 

[BuzzDaddy21]

On 7/1/2022 at 5:02 AM, Pepere said:

What is the purpose of a water change?

When I got back into the hobby a while back, I thought a bunch of water changes was stupid and still do (The so-called experts say you must do water changes, I could go on a long rant about this 😜) Once I changed my tanks over, I don`t do water changes per say and I`m happy with the results and that's the only thing that matters.     

[Pepere]

I view water changes as a useful tool… when they are needed…

[gardenman]

In theory, water changes replace trace elements and assorted whatnots in the water that get used up. Is it true? Eh, maybe. Many modern fish foods contain those trace elements and in some cases in excessive quantities. What happens with excess trace elements that the fish don't absorb? Depending on the trace element they may be voided from the fish in its urine/feces, much like excess vitamin C gets urinated away by humans. Those now free trace elements then end up back in the water column. It's entirely possible that a very well-fed tank could have more trace elements available before a water change than afterward. 

I tend not to do water changes unless something has gone drastically wrong. I just top off evaporation and go on. Between fish food and plant food any lacking trace elements are likely replaced as quickly as they're lost. Having said that, I did a 90% water change yesterday when my 30 high crashed. A fish had died in the tangle of jungle val and gone unnoticed and uneaten and caused an ammonia spike. The fish were in trouble and changing the water and finding/removing the dead fish fixed the issue. Everyone's happy and back to normal today. Water changes have their place, but are they absolutely necessary on a daily/weekly basis? Probably not. They certainly aren't necessary for me. Given the issues with water resources, fewer water changes may be better.

Edited July 1, 2022 by gardenman

[Torrey]

ORD🥰

I love responsible discussions!