How frequent is too frequent to water change?

[mary]

hi there, our tank has been getting green and murky every few days for past 2 weeks- ok pH and i haven;t got the ammonia test kit. I have been doing prob 30% changes every other day but it hasn't helped. Today i have done prob a 70% change- the water looks much better so far- but how bad is it to be doing this?

 

[jay]

It will stress your axies. The temperchange and water movement would stress them a fair bit but if it helps them survive i say don't wory. They will calm down but if you don't do water changes the green might stay. I say don't worry about it.

 

[heihei]

Mary do you have alot of direct light - either window or lamp light on constantly or quite a few hours near your tank. If you do this will cause the green.

It's really better to do daily 20-30% changes rather than a big change, and move it away from the light source. If you have any daphnia, putting them in the tank will also help to clean it up! Regarding the murkiness, you should try and get your water tested at your local petshop, costs nothing apart from time to take a sample.

 

[mary]

thanks for that!- they are against the window and have a light too! i have been trying to keep it off more.DO you have a brand of testing kits you recommend here in nz?

 

[heihei]

You can buy the individual ones for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate they cost about $15 or thereabouts at Animalz, might be a bit more now. Otherwise you can buy a Freshwater Master Test Kit online thru TM cheaper than at the petshop. Petshops they cost $65-$70, TM you can get for $55 including postage. Just do a search there.

I used the petshop to test my tank and have only recently bought the Master Test Kit thru TM.

If you have it by the window, when it gets warmer your tank will heat up a bit more than if it was placed away from it. If you don't want to move them you could cover it during the day, or put the shades/curtain across while you're at work.

 

[jennifer]

In general I wouldn't recommend doing more than a 50% water change. But it's done, and they survived, so no harm done. If you can get some daphnia, they would clean out the green water in no time.

I just noticed that your original question is how often is too often. Every day is OK, if needed.

(Message edited by jennewt on January 24, 2007)