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Water Change 2x month

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by Kevmo, Jan 24, 2005.

  1. Kevmo

    Kevmo Junior Poster

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    Tom,

    I recognize that your estimative index is a proven, simplified system to keep us from having to use our flawed test kits to manage fertilization.

    Have you had any success doing water changes every 14 days instead of every 7? What kinds of tricks have you used to manage something like this? I would think for your side-business of maintaining planted aquariums for folks that you can't always schedule a time to do water changes every week. What have you done in those cases? (Vacations, Christmas, illness, etc...)

    Do you have a more advanced approach for 2 week water changes?

    Kevmo
     
    #1 Kevmo, Jan 24, 2005
  2. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Water Change 2x month

    I often will involve the owner to do the weekly water change if I'm not there. I'll prune every two weeks for sure.

    Best way to get around this: use less light and use easy to handle plants like Crypts, ferns and mosses.

    Uptake is less, growth is less and biomass changes are more __stable__, hence uptake rates and dependancies are greater on the bioload fish load feeding.

    Not quite a non CO2 method............but not a full blast 5 w/gal BBQ roasting CO2 enriched system with lots of fast growing stem plants.

    Lower light will allow 1-2 week water changes and weekly to 2 a week dosing.

    Some will monitor their water with test kits to get a feel for when they need to do a change, some have an eye for it after years of experience.
    But even the best gets burnt, a good habit like a weekly water change will maintain things over the longer term for most tanks, but you can certainly do it with 2 week water changes, less light, slower growing plkants will afford you much greater wiggle room in your routine.

    I see no problem with this and 2 week water change routines.
    It'll take a litlle bit more guess work at dosing, but you still flush things out after two weeks.

    If you describe the system, I can give you a routine to match.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #2 Tom Barr, Jan 24, 2005
  3. Kevmo

    Kevmo Junior Poster

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    Re: Water Change 2x month

    Ok. I'll run an experiment. I have a 25g I'm about to set up. I have a 55 watt PC going into it. Was going to do slower growing stuff (crypts, bolbitis, java fern/moss, anubias).

    I'll see if I can do bi-weekly changes with a bi-weekly fert addition.

    What would you recommend?

    Kevmo
     
    #3 Kevmo, Jan 24, 2005
  4. Tom Wood

    Tom Wood Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Water Change 2x month

    I've been doing 20% water changes once a week, then test NO3 and PO4 and dose accordingly. I've skipped the water changes occassionally to no ill effect, that I could actually see. If you keep a log, a pattern will emerge and you can also skip the tests and just dose the same amount as the week before. I'm keeping a 90 and 70 gallon this way, both at 2 WPG, CO2 pressure system.

    TW
     
    #4 Tom Wood, Jan 24, 2005
  5. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Water Change 2x month

    Hey Tom,

    How would EI work with 2x25% W/C instead of 50% W/C per week?

    I know some aquarist have high fish loads and prefer to do 2 25% W/C so that there isn't too much stress on the fishes...

    would just like to have this as a reference for the future.

    thanks =)
     
    #5 JadeButterfly, Jan 24, 2005
  6. trcpdx

    trcpdx Junior Poster

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    Re: Water Change 2x month

    JadeButterfly: Off the top of my head without doing the math, 2 x 25% water changes is going to dilute quite a bit less than 1 x 50% change over the same period. You'd just have a higher level at with concentrations of bad things would max out. You dont' get quite the "reset" that's integral to Tom's approach. Tim
     
    #6 trcpdx, Jan 24, 2005
  7. Kevmo

    Kevmo Junior Poster

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    Re: Water Change 2x month

    Hi Tom, you suggested I give you some info so you can help me come up with a 14-day water change strategy, so here it is!

    I have a 25g I'm about to set up. I have a 55 watt PC. Was going to do slower growing stuff (crypts, bolbitis, java fern/moss, anubias).

    I'll see if I can do bi-weekly changes with a bi-weekly fert addition.

    What would you recommend?

    Kevmo
     
    #7 Kevmo, Jan 31, 2005
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