How often should you change water in a tank?

Question

I saw a question earlier about a Beta fish. I may be wrong, although I doubt it, that the advice the asker was given was so offbase. You only have to change the water in a tank no more than once a week. And then the most you should siphon out is 25%! You should NEVER, I repeat NEVER take out 50% 3 times per week. That answer is so wrong I couldn't believe the answerer believed it was the correct advice. Also, Beta fish are normally very lazy fish. If you don't believe me try placing another Beta next to your Beta's tank, but not in the SAME tank. They aren't called Siamese Fighting Fish for nothing. It's called Flarring!
That's how they are judged at fish shows.

Answer 1

I do it every weekend...it keeps the fish happy...and the tank always looks great

Answer 2

The better the filtration system you have the less you need to change water. I have a 48 G. with 2 filters(one is a double catridge) and I rarely change mine more than once every 3-4 weeks. I have had the same 4 fish for over 2 year. They are all bigger than my hand. The more you change water the better chance you have of stressing out the fish which can cause ick.

Answer 3

The variables involved with how much & when are endless. If you have the average tank, stocked average, etc, 25% weekly is ideal. When you are dealing with large, messy cichlids, overstocked tanks, more sensitive fish, or fry, the water changes need to be increased. Many discus breeders will do 50% or larger water changes daily. I do 50% to 80% weekly with my angel breeding setup, that is for dime or larger body size. Smaller ones get changes twice weekly, fry tanks get 50% daily for the first 2 weeks.

The best way to determine water changes for your individual situation is to pick up a nitrate test kit. Test your water every few days, once the nitrates get to 40 ppm it's time for a water change. This may take a month with a large lightly stocked tank, it may be a few days with an overstocked tank, or one with messy fish such as cichlids or plecs.

The best preventative medicine for fish is fresh water. You water doesn't hold any nitrifying bacteria, that is the filter media's job.

Answer 4

Well I think you should change it every two weeks and filter it everyday with a filter swoop thing. I think the water would stay clean, clean as in like free of particals that might have fallen into the tank without knowing and cause the fish to choke and die, and other particles, and not yet so fresh because fish cannot stay in fresh water too long...it was just meant that way! So once everytwo week and filtering it everyday should do it!

Answer 5

You shouldn't often at all if the tank environment is healthy, filters changed/cleaned. It needs to have good bacteria and algae. Changing the water too often upsets the balance of the tank and most water chemicals are not good for the tank.

Answer 6

i have had one in a bowl with out a filter and change the all of the water and i do it weekly i have had it for about 4yrs now (do not forget the dechlorinater)... i also have a fish tank with a real good fluval filter and use easy balance and cycle and i change about 1/4 of the water monthly and have had many fish for yrs. i had a oscar for 10yrs i loved it to peices..now i have a community in my 90gal and my original resident a puffer has been in there for 5yrs or so now!!i love it tooo:)

Answer 7

I change my fishes water a least once a month. She's been with me for the last year that way.

Answer 8

once a week. u dont wanna make them sick and they mite start dying cuz u couldnt possibly know if ur fish were sick

Answer 9

only 20% twice a week