The REAL TRUTH about Water Changes! [Want to Understand Water Changes? - Watch This!]

[@cichlid_kings]

Great summary breakdown on water changes. My fish also show appreciation during & after a water change. Keep up the great work. By the way sound is superb 😉

[@BenOchart]

It’s a new wireless lapel mic I picked up for my iPhone. This video was filmed using an iPhone 13 pro max. The results are acceptable😀👍🏻

[@cichlid_kings]

@@BenOchart Agreed

[@CoreyHecker]

After 6 plus years of dealing with good size tank I feel 40 percent water change every 8-10 days is my sweet spot.

[@BenOchart]

Can’t argue with long term results and a direct observation of success 😀👍🏻

[@jerrysfishroom3579]

As always right on target. Clean water means healthy fish. I love this hobby.

[@tetraguytx1705]

In addition to the reasons that Ben mentioned, those of us who dose fertilizer in heavily planted tanks change water to reset nutrient levels and to suppress algae. I've kept tropical fish for a long time, and in that time I've tried both approaches: months without a water change, and large, weekly water changes. Both approaches "work." But in my experience at least, the second approach -- large, weekly water changes -- promotes not only the general cleanliness of the tank but also the health and vitality of both the fish and the plants. Consequently, I change 50% of the water every week, rain or shine.

[@Roland2307]

My fish go through their little dominance dance after water changes. The giant Protomelas, the Eyebiter and the twin star sapphires. The Protomelas always reigns supreme in the end. They definitely love water changes though. Even though my nitrates hover between 0 & 5 ppm’s, I still do them for all the reasons you stated. I’m definitely going to look into that “Safe” and cichlid salt. I’ve been watching your videos for about four years now, I’ve learned much of what I know from you and you haven’t steered me wrong yet, lol.

[@joeader6046]

I'm actually doing a water change now as we speak I also did a water change on my grandson's Axolotl tank I'm learning a lot about those

[@naegwut]

Thanks for sharing. Why is it so satisfying to watch someone do a water change!?

[@joeader6046]

I couldn't agree more about water changes it seems when I do mine my fish actually seem happier I know that sounds silly but I can tell by the way they are swimming around

[@BenOchart]

I agree

[@jonstfrancis]

Good points Ben, a lot of folks don't realise we do water changes for reasons other than Nitrates.

[@brettcoyle2399]

Honestly I don’t see why people don’t enjoy the maintence I honestly do enjoy it I do two 70% water changes twice a week on big small tall and large tanks lol and break down fx4 once a month as well scrub glass inside I use a lot of hang on back filters personally I like them

[@rockfella27]

I enjoy the process too.

[@edgararcega3046]

I have a Karen neighbor that gave me crap last month for doing a water change. She seen me dumping water onto some shrubs in my front yard and was like "how dare you waste water like that! Don't you know we're in a draught right now?! You ain't supposed to be watering your plants at this time!". I just looked her in the eye and laughed my ass off and she got hella pissed lololol. But yeah... I should do water changes more often. Right now i do them twice a month. Been noticing a spike in brown algae (diatoms) and nitrates because of this. Other than that i never have issues with anything else in my tank.

[@b1scu1t69]

Tell her to mind her business! Ask her, do you pay for my utility's. Lol

[@davidjones7503]

Nice job

[@theallseeingeye9388]

I have had planted tanks that went up to 6 months without a water change. Did a water change not because it needed it but during massive trimmings. But a weekly 10 or 15 % regular change has always produced better results. Not to mention the bubbling pearls the moment a qater change is done

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Hola Benito, great video. I don't understand why people get so confrontational with the topic of water changes and how often to do them. The reality is no fish tank is the same and there are a number of factors that will dictate when you need to do a water change and how much. Great explanation of your process. Always enjoy your videos. Hasta pronto amigo. Cuídate.

[@BenOchart]

Exactamente amigo 😀👍🏻

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I would check the water testing report from your water utility. Mine lists and includes all the chemicals one finds in Lake Malawi water. Those commercial salts are a waste of money in my opinion unless one has soft water

[@kerrypitt9789]

Ben I do water changes for one or two reasons unless something weird happens. First as you said, it is like giving them a breath of fresh "air." Fish just feel better I believe. I also change it to interact with my fish. I always check them when I work on them. Once while fly fishing on a small river, we saw a wave of new water raising the level of the pool we were fishing. As the new water entered the pool, the fish became very active and started feeding hard. I think a water change can do the same thing.

[@d33rex64]

I set up my 75g with a dozen cichlids in November 2021. And I just did my first filtration/water change. Took me all night. Literally just pulled an all-nighter, today is gonna be rough. I have the hugest Fluval Cannister on just a 75g, but still. Anyway, great channel. I kept reef tanks for 20yrs, but switched to fresh couple years back…when had first kid. Still learning, I had no idea there was such a massive cichlid industry, with such crazy colors. Think freshwater has come long way in last 20years. The brilliant colors! At a tiny fraction the cost and time of a reef tank. Most mind blowing cichlid-tank concept to learn about after only keeping marine fish prior: “overstocking” cichlids. Makes me feel crazy.

[@BenOchart]

Be sure to hit that tank with conditioner and test the water since that big of a cleaning may have disrupted the beneficial bacteria. I appreciate you watching😀👍🏻

[@raycooper2287]

Great video again!! Have you tasted cichlid lake salt when dissolved in a bowl? It's salty, not alot but yes I tasted... I agree water changes once a week even if nitrate is still low side . Minerals you can't see or measure are replaced. Heaters can be put in horizontal for a way to keep in tank while a water change is done... I use syphon to suck water and detritus but buckets to fill...water treated before entering the tank. Awesome video.. keep up the great work!

[@alastairfield3364]

I ve invested in an automatic Refloat water changer. It s fantastic ,no temperature adjusting required, just fill up with cold water from the tap, treat for chlorine as usual and pop the outflow and inlet into your tank and switch h on. It slowly changes the water and switches off when finished. The pump can also be used to empty the tank So easy

[@corynelson6392]

good morning from Houston

[@mikejejenich7116]

Great video ben. I do. 2 water changes a month. 💦 🐠. And so far so good. How often do you do maintenance on yoiur filter? Change media sponges ect ect……. This seems to be another hot topic

[@terrietime]

Good Morning From Texas, Guppy Lover

[@brettcoyle2399]

I’m in olive branch Mississippi about 10 mins from Memphis and we have great city water hasn’t changed in a year since I got into keeping cichlids its 8.2 PH 0.25 ammonia, and 0,0 everything else I barely use any prime lol gonna come up to Nashville soon to buy fish for a little road trip

[@100bgeagle]

Good video, even though the fish may not show it before a water change,, fish love fresh water. Especially during a storm with low pressure the fish really love that! In fishing some of the best fishing is during the leading edge of a low pressure system.

[@wabalaka1565]

I do 40% to 50% water change and I always treat for ×1.5 the amount I change. Example: doing 50% wc I teat for 75% water. Never have any problem with 3 tank running this way.

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

Hey Ben, I would get a water pump to pump out the tank water for water changes I use one for my water changes and took some pressure off my well, and when I did that I cut my water changes time by 3 hours and I only refill my tanks from the well with my python water change system. I think you would love it if you could get a pump. I think you are doing a great job on your KZbin channel 👍.

[@BenOchart]

I have a couple pumps laying around that I could use. I’ve considered it, especially with the bigger tanks.

[@joshhopper6109]

I was going to suggest the same thing. The pump helps empty much faster.

[@occichlids1700]

I also do 30-40% wc a week. For my tank, that's the sweet spot.

[@chrispixx]

Can you tell me where you got that plant on the right side of the tank, behind your head it's behind the Rock. It has oval leaves its the short one.

[@brettcoyle2399]

Also I believe the fish get used to a routine and my fish color down if I miss a day or two of a water change I use a 1800gph pond pump to drain tanks except qt tanks they smaller

[@fluffycottoncandycloud5946]

you look like Triton (Ariels dad) you are the king of sea and fishes

[@BenOchart]

I liked Triton, but Sebastian was my favorite 🤣

[@Marcus-ds3ex]

Hey Ben, question.. can you share a link to me of the exact light you are using for your 210? Thanks 🙏🏼

[@BenOchart]

Here you go: jcpaquarium.com/?sca_ref=936021.gPiOsPIQTH

[@jennydelgado5618]

Good day Ben, every time I do water changes my fish go south so to speak. So I actually stop and just fill it in when water goes down.

[@KGcichlids]

Your fish look to be on fire, so I believe you’re doing something right.

[@BenOchart]

Not sure what, but something for sure 🤣🤣🤣

[@rickwallace2091]

Water changes in conjunction with substrate vacuuming reduces detritus? N’est pas? My fish love water changes too. They get so active after one

[@todddiedrich9106]

Well I just got 14 fish all cichlids except for 2 there tinfoil barbs my cousin wife had a death in her family and he was into fish and they just wanted someone too take them that knew about them I went over there last night and caught them all and brought them home all went into my 135 gallon. No fighting yet only the 2 witch have been together for like years started fighting and the monster dragons blood hasn’t even looked at them even the big geo Ps I couldn’t quarantine too many all fish where very well taken care of he really knew his stuff I feel so blessed

[@BenOchart]

That’s good that you could step up and take those fish. Fingers crossed that they all get along and settle in fine.

[@yarasub]

No luck with python id get the temp matched then start to fill tank, only to have to keep adjusting the temp.use a pump now so much easier😊

[@austinpatterson18]

I simply do a 50% on the big 100+ gallon tanks every 10 days. never test the water and very rarely have any problems, I always have a test kit on hand just in case

[@frankiefingerz8047]

Do u believe stirring up the gravel kills bacteria in the substrate?

[@BenOchart]

I used to do a deep vacuum when I had gravel because so much waste would build up but with a sand substrate it’s different and doesn’t let detritus get down deep. So my 3500gph wave maker stirs up the surface a few times a day (on a timer) moving waste that has settled on the top of the sand over to the filter intake. Every now and then I’ll turn 1/4” of surface sand just to freshen up the look, but I leave the deeper substrate alone in the hope that anaerobic bacteria will take hold.

[@frankiefingerz8047]

What i mean to ask u is do u believe completely stirring up gravel substrate so all ditritus is picked up by the filter instead of gravel vacking kills beneficial bacteria

[@BenOchart]

@@frankiefingerz8047 If not outright kills, certainly disrupts in a major way. At least the BB that was in the substrate. It lives everywhere, on decor and on filter media.

[@frankiefingerz8047]

Well myself & a friend of mine do this we stirup the gravel between water changes so the filter picks up the ditritus & to gravel vac less We havent lost any fish due to supposed bacteria dying off & water seems clearer I was arguing about this topic with kev of kaveman aquatics he believes this to b a bad practice Are u against this as well?

[@mjvaquatics2626]

Generally speaking, there's no such thing as too much clean, fresh water!

[@yarasub]

Ben i do 40-50% wc a week 100gal tank using a pump no more buckets,being disabled it has saved my back. Off topic I noticed your fish swim all over the tank, mine like to just swim in the face of my wave maker . 9 5” peacocks . Plenty of oxygen in tank good water so why just swimming in top 4” of tank. Temp at 79. 😊 not gasping for air. Does being under stocked play in this ? Also 5 elec blue acara and 4 clowns only 18 total fish. I do have a 6” silver dollar and a 4” silver dollar I could add if that would things😊

[@BenOchart]

They might be getting moved there by a dominant fish. Turn off the wave maker for an hour and see if they move around or stay in that area. They should by exploring the entire tank.

[@yarasub]

I turned off the wave maker and they jammed themselves into the corner above the wave maker . Today not to excited about eating and a few have been flashing lately. Internal parasites ? Really worried about this and don’t know what to do. My seravini hangs out a lot in bottom back corner.

[@dhammaboy1203]

Hi Ben, Love your Malawi selection there! Have you ever had your trout or Venutsus try and eat your haps & peacocks? I’d love to add both species to my tank one day but since having a Frontosa that started eating my juveniles I’ve been put off piscivores. What’s your experience? Would you ever add juveniles to that tank?

[@BenOchart]

I would never put anything in there that could fit in anyone’s mouth. It would immediately become a snack. It’s amazing how much a Frontosa mouth can open. Like a hippo!

[@dhammaboy1203]

@@BenOchart ah good to know! Yes my Frontosa went after fish about two or three times the size of his mouth.

[@charlessloop1552]

I don’t disagree with anything said in video. I believe every tank is different and that people need to learn what there tank is telling them either from there fish or testing, my tank is established and has been for yrs and I think that is key to understand why some tanks can go longer then other without water changes. I just did probably close to 80% water change after well over a yr since I have done one that been bigger then like 5 gallon witch is really just a top off and didn’t see any change in my fish behavior afterwards

[@BenOchart]

That’s interesting. How well stocked, the filtration, filter maintenance, water turnover, plants, lots of factors.

[@farmerjoe6908]

My mate is an engineer in water treatment and will tell you that chemicals fix everything. Literally a chemical to change every parameter of water quality. Even nitrate it comes down to cost in the end. Water changes are cheaper. I'm totally the opposite try and do everything naturally from water changes to a 1.5m high nitrate chamber.

[@phatti11237]

hello, which african cichlids can i have in a 20 gallon

[@BenOchart]

Not many. Many some shell dwellers

[@robertjohnston25]

Someone needs to just take their API test kit out to lake malawi and measure the nitrates 😜

[@comment.highlighted]

I want my fish & plants to Thrive not just survive 🙂

[@shesellsfish]

👍❤👍

[@ilovegirls69style]

so where s the real truth about water changes? is more of the same