Water Changes are important!

Many new comers to the aquarium (fish) keeping hobby seem to disregard the importance of regular water changes. Regular water changes are probably one of the most important aspects of successful fish keeping. It is not something to put on the back burner. Changing your carbon does not mean you do not have to do water changes for the fish. Getting a bigger filter does not mean you do not have to do water changes for the fish. Live plants does not mean you do not have to do water changes (in most cases). In fact, live plants also benefit from the influx of fresh water!

Many people also think that topping off evaporated water counts as a water change. Unfortunately it does not. As the water evaporates many things in the water do not evaporate with it. They are left behind in a smaller amount of water. This causes them to become more concentrated. When you add water to top off your tank (fish aquarium) you are simply diluting things back to the way they originally were. Actually things are probably even a bit worse because the fish will have produced more waste during this time. Salt is of special concern here. If you regularly add salt to your fish aquarium please keep in mind that salt does not evaporate with water. With each water change, top of the fish aquarium with fesh water before doing your water change. This will bring the salt level to normal, and will help you avoid adding excess salt. I also often recommend not adding salt every third water change. I have found this to be helpful in preventing "salt creep".

The benefits of water changes to fish are widely known. Fresh water boosts the fish's immune system, removes dissolved organics and wastes. It keeps your nitrates low. It replenishes trace minerals and nutrients in your fish aquarium. It can remove solid wastes from your fish aquarium if you use a gravel syphon. Water changes are wonderful!

I personally like to do weekly water changes on my fish tanks. I usually do around 1/3 or so, sometimes less, like a 1/4. Some people do monthly water changes and some people do them every 2 weeks. I have found that weekly smaller water changes work best for my fish and help keep my tanks going strong. I strongly recommend at least doing a water change every 2 weeks. Fish tend to react better to more frequent, smaller water changes than larger changes less often. If you have large dirty fish or a lot of fish in your tank weekly water changes are a must! Remember, water clarity does not equal clean water.

I have found the Python No Spill to make water changes on my fish tanks much more pleasant and a lot less work!
(my python)

I will add that in some cases regular water changes may not be neccessary. If you have a heavily planted (with healthy, thriving plants) and very low stocked fish tank you may not need to do water changes very often. However, the majority of people have too many fish in their tank to get away with not doing at the very minimum, monthly water changes.


Links about water changes:
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-changes.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm
http://www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/wchanges.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=Python+No+Spill&btnG=Search