Which fish require minimum water change in aquarium?

Question

I have an aquarium in my office cabin and very difficult for a frequent water change. I need to keep fish that require a minimum water changing cycle. I have a bio-filter and sponge filter and air stone installed. The gravel is good quality and so are some aquatic plants. But I can not change water in less than a month.

Answer 1

I have two tanks with guppies, mollys, platys, plecos and khuli loaches. They are well planted and have a bio-filter and heater. I clean out the tanks with a gravel washer and take out almost half of the water and trim back the plants about every other month. The plants are essential as they will help clean the water.

Answer 2

Water changes are essential to your fish. I do 30% water changes weekly, however i do have a heavy bio-load as well as messy fish.

If you are looking to get away with long spaces between water changes, there are a few things you can do to keep the water quality good inbetween.

#1 light bio-load. The less the fish, the less the mess.
#2 live plants. Plants need nutrients to survive and some of those nutrients are the ones that keep the water dirty or not optimum i.e. high nitrates
#3 good filtration. It may be easier for you to service the filter than it would be to do alot of water changes. A filter that can turn over the volume of the aquarium water twice in an hour is ok. The more the better. Changing out the media and cleaning the high volume filter will help.


Keep in mind that though you can't do water changes often, that doesn't mean you should over clean it when you finally get a chance. Bacteria that breaks down fish waste and left over food survive on all surfaces in your aquarium. Gravel, filter, decorations. When you do clean it, clean it good, but don't drain it and clean it killing off this bateria.

I would say the most you should go, even utilizing these precautions, would be 3 months with out a water change, and that may be pushing it.

For more information, go here

www.aquariumadvice.com

Answer 3

I can't believe someone said they only service their tank every six months! Do not do that, please. Monthly water changes are fine for many species of fish and that's not too much to ask for if you're going to have an aquarium in the first place (about 25-30% More often is ideal, but that's not what you're asking:). I'll give you a list of hardy fish I've had luck with (starting with most hardy)

Tiger Barbs (most any barb, really)
Danios (can live through just about anything)
Black Tetras
Lemon Tetras

Other suggestions depend on the size of your tank.. The bigger the fish, the more waste. And algae eaters such as plecos produce a lot of waste. They only clean the algae, NOT THE TANK. Bottom feeders eat uneaten food and tablets, NOT POOP - contrary to popular belief. Basically, small fish are going to be your best bet. Make sure you do not exceed more than an inch of fish per gallon in your tank and you shouldn't have many problems. Contact me if you'd like anymore info.

Answer 4

Have you tried getting those algae eaters that eat all the yuk off the sides and gravel,of your tank? they aren't a very pretty fish, but they do help in the cleaning. Also miniature catfish are good bottom cleaners.
I have a Big Blue Betta that is low maintenance, and he's almost 2 yrs old.
Good luck!!!

Answer 5

You could do smaller water changes weekly...15-20% once a week... You should not be doing complete water changes ever, as this get rid of the "good" nitrifing bacteria needed to destroy the ammonia and waste.
You could also get a betta (just one) and do a complete water change every week or so (depending on tank size)

Answer 6

A well balanced aquarium only needs service about every six months. You may have yours overpopulated, or simply not given it time to balance. Ask your local tropical fish dealer for further suggestions. The types of fish shouldn't matter.