3 Reasons Why I Do Water Changes [NOT Just for Nitrates!]

Water changes are not just for nitrates. Here are the reasons why I do water changes and it's certainly not just for nitrate reduction.
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[@twistedadjust]

All these tanks are well kept and look amazing

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

This is where I feel people lose their minds. I’m glad you shared this Ben. Cause Water changes can scare people from the hobby, and in the years that I’ve been in this hobby water changes have been the least of my worries. There’s NOTHING to it keeping these beautiful fish with clean water. People ask how do I keep my tanks so clean and my best response is don’t make water changes a chore. Your fish will LOVE you for it. And to me The morning after a water change is always the most exciting seeing that crisp clean water and this is with No scrubbing soft gravel vacs once a month and water changes every so often. And I’ve kept BEAUTIFUL coloring fish and great plants and just love the effect on the fish you don’t have to be religious about water changes. If you love your fish then water changes should be a fun part of the hobby. And the benefits are beyond water quality it’s always enticed breeding in my tanks of course every scenario is different.

[@TheSwiftCreek2]

Good points. One additional reason to do water changes may be to keep various tanks (in one's collection) semi-tuned to each other (similar water properties due to water changes from a common source). May not be as big a thing when using RO, more of a thing with tap water.

[@robertjohnston25]

Keeping nitrates under control also helps keep the tank in balance. If the nitrates get high, eventually the acid from all the waste can crash your kH and then swing your pH.. Whether or not nitrates are as bad as people say they are, I still like to control them as my fish seem to really enjoy the cleaner water.

[@trentinw]

I did not realize the minerals they need to be healthy. I will definitely take that into consideration as far as how often I do water changes. Thanks Ben! Always learning..😊

[@Anp8]

I control nitrates with pothos plants. along with siphoning fry tanks and the babys are growing like crazy. I did buy a sponge filter thanks to the advice you gave, the babies are much more happier

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I change water for the same reason I use a toilet - and flush. Wash away metabolic wastes that otherwise would accumulate in aquarium water and harm our fish.

[@wadelawson4165]

Great info as usual Ben, I do weekly water changes about 50 percent but also have pothos plants growing out the back keeping those Nitrates under control...

[@walkerjim78]

Great content lately! Been following for a long time. I bought into the bio-home ultimate media. Running 11kg in 2 Hydor 600s for 4 1/2 years. Started seeing reduction in nitrates after 2 years. Now I fluctuate from 0-10ppm in nitrates. Guess it worked out?? But I do 30-40% water changes weekly to replace minerals as well. I alternate using cichlid salts and cichlid trace, measured to water replaced. 125gal 16 haps and peacocks. Again love your channel.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you! It sounds like your tank has matured into a great ecosystem 😀👍🏻

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

Thank you BEN! 😀👍🏻

[@bonnieeden228]

Great info Ben. I like my tanks crystal clear too. I think others who don’t change water must be not providing their fish with minerals that deplete over time. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Always a pleasant learning experience. I really think are most knowledgeable fish keeper I know on you tube and I appreciate your honesty and candor. Have a very Merry Christmas. 🎄🎅🏻

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Bonnie. I think people like Cory at the Co-op and Jason Adams at PrimeTime Aquatics (and many more) are far more knowledgeable, but I appreciate your support and encouragement 😀👍🏻

[@johnboero6138]

I love all your videos!! Very informative!! How often do you do with a changes?

[@BenOchart]

Thank you. Usually once a week 😀👍🏻

[@walterotiepka1460]

I have a 125 angelfish electric blue acara Bolivian rams rummynose heavily stocked but heavily planted no problem with nitrates but like you I do water changes weekly I figure it had to b good for fish and plants

[@bwood4505]

Love your new tank with the small Tetra’s and other small fish. And now you can add real plants which help reduce Nitrates too.

[@BenOchart]

Adding live plants to that tank is on the to-do list 😀👍🏻

[@41keystar14]

Have you consider a dosing pump to use not for fertilizer but to dose mineralizing fish nutrients, and slim coat such as Kordons fish protector? I suppose that you’d be throwing money away if you like gravel vacuuming however, if you know what going in you can use distilled or RO water and control exactly what goes in and figure out the best potion to keep those fish at an optimum

[@scotttucker8127]

In my tanks from the past using only artificial fake plants I needed to do water changes more often, now with all my tanks being more natural with live plants only I do less water changes as the plants help being natural filterers

[@markbaumgardt2868]

My nitrate level is at 10 in my heavy stocked hap tank I like it at that and so do the fish no sickness and medication remember lake Malawi has zero nitrate keep that in mind a lot of people bite off more than they can chew to many tanks lazy or just not enough time that's why I have 2 tanks so I can look after these gorgeous creatures how they should

[@henrybowman7887]

I do water changes for nitrates somewhat, but mostly because, I want my fish to appear to be floating in air by having a clean tank...

[@soupbone62]

Hello Ben, where do you get your artificial plants at now?

[@BenOchart]

None purchased recently. The ones I have are from Elite Cichlids and they are no longer in business.

[@MorganBrown]

Hehe it’s faster for me to change water than to test it 😂

[@BenOchart]

That’s why I went from the API Master Test Kit to test strips 😀👍🏻

[@RH_01779]

I have a stablished 125 gallon tank which is not heavily stocked with adequate filtration. I do 40% weekly water change. I never got green algae but every week I get this brown diotoms all over the glass, rocks and plants. Driving me crazy. Any feedback is appreciated

[@BenOchart]

Add some phosphate absorbing pads to the filter and increase your water changes to 60% for a month and see if that makes a difference.

[@allenlewis1984]

Hi hello Sir, what is your advice regarding Dr Kevin Novak BCB Anoxic Filtration, where water changes is not required and have you applied it to your tank on trail basis. Thanks

[@BenOchart]

I have not tried his system so can’t really comment on it.

[@dtechvinnie]

I have a Question if you don't mind! what's your opinion on using carbon in your filter, is it needed is it a money-making thing with the pet stores and the manufacturers

[@BenOchart]

I don’t use it except after medicating and when I do I leave it in for only a month and then I throw it out.

[@dtechvinnie]

@@BenOchart ok I could save alot of money that way! I was using the Chemi pure blue in my canister filter! And the 110 in my over the tank filter! I do have plenty of BIO in there

[@1997goldwing]

I have a 200 gallon freshwater aquarium with a 30 gallon sump, I put an airstone in my sump away from my return pump about 2months ago, is that ok? Is it beneficial? I have Rainbow fish and my tap PH is high causing the PH in my tank to be arounId an average of 8.1, is that ok?

[@BenOchart]

Rainbows like a high pH, so you’re okay. If water is cascading into the sump, creating a lot of surface tension break up, then you don’t need that air stone. If the sump return plumbing is in the water, not breaking up the surface, yes, that air stone will help add oxygen which is good for both the fish and the BB.

[@1997goldwing]

I have an Oceanic trickle sump so it evenly trickles water over bio balls! I have the air stone on the outside of the bio ball area close to the heater. My first sump and I love it. I do water changes 25% twice a week when I can, but once a week before sure.

[@mikejejenich7116]

I do 2. % 80 percent water 💦 changes per month….. 🐠. And water parameters are good. Fish are doing good……. 👋. I also use the lake salts. From seachem. And the trace. From seachem ✅💦

[@msimrow]

I normally do a weekly 70% change on my African cichlid tank, and everything else gets 20-30%

[@MrPoohbae1000]

I have a 93 gallon cube with 2 Oscars 3 convivicts and a j can. Jack Dempsey added a pike it died within a day store sayed it was because my nitrates was high off the chart

[@BenOchart]

Sorry to hear that. Some fish have a low tolerance, discus, rays and I suppose pikes.

[@MrPoohbae1000]

@@BenOchart Apreatiate the answer... Did not expect

[@dtechvinnie]

Why do you only do a 30% water change? I have a 75 gallon chilids tank and I do a 50% Sometimes 60% water change

[@BenOchart]

Don’t need more. Nitrates are fine and fish are thriving at 30%. Why do more?

[@dtechvinnie]

@@BenOchart Ok thank You