Water Change Time! - *STEP-BY-STEP!*

[@BenOchart]

Thank for watching! Here are some time stamps: 00:30 Water change external pump (Gen X) 00:55 Rock decor tip 01:28 New Hygger wave maker 01:56 Sump water change tip 03:13 Why I don't vacuum 04:35 Python tap-to-tank system 04:54 Cichlid aggression after a water change 06:19 Products I use during my water change 07:18 When I turn sump pumps back on 07:48 How I prevent sump overflows 08:50 Why my fish don't get stressed by water changes 10:33 Final comments on why I do water changes (no, not just for NO3 reduction)

[@keithduwe2647]

Very informative keep educating the fishy folks!!!!!!

[@mikerosenzweig]

Thanks for sharing. It’s always good to see a fellow fish keeper’s routine.

[@Dez-Turner]

Great informative video of your water change procedure. HNY to you and yours Ben.

[@hussblacksmith5417]

Ben you never fail to surprise me with uploading these awesome yet simple videos still after all of these years, absolute legend. Thank you

[@BenOchart]

Thank you for the kind words! Have a Happy New Year!

[@AndrewJones-el7rs]

Great video. I love that cichlid tank and the community one you have. happy new year Ben all the best to you and everyone else 🎉

[@jagan66jaguar71]

Happy Christmas and Happy New year to you Sir , love your videos and gaining knowledge..lots of love from India 🇮🇳 🙏

[@DiscusNT]

Great video !

[@edgarrivera4488]

Handsome fish. I add the Vitachem to the food. I also use Reef Crystals for minerals as a buffer works well with my hard water.

[@BenOchart]

Haven't heard of reef crystals. I'll look into it. Does them impact GH?

[@edgarrivera4488]

@ sure you have, Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. It adds trace elements. It may increase GH you’d have to test for that. I find about 1/2-1 cup per water change in my aquarium is my sweet spot.

[@jeremymoore450]

Ben, Great video sir. I appreciate the tips. I just got that cichlid salt for my new MBUNA tank. I have 12 MBUNA in my 100 gal tank right now. Going to add more every 2 to 3 weeks or so until I get to about 35 to 40. I also add the Seachem cichlid trace. Have you ever used that before? If so did it help at all? I have heard mixed reviews on it on whether it helps or not. I have a whole house water softener I believe takes out minerals in my water so I think the cichlid salt is a good thing for me to add. I am also going to get the salt made for American cichlids to help with the minerals. I looked at that vitachem it’s expensive for a small bottle. How long does it last? Do you add it to all your tanks?

[@BenOchart]

Yes, water softeners are not good for Lake Malawi fish. Adding aragonite and crushed coral to the filter and/or substrate helps and the Seachem products are great for adding the trace minerals in the ratio that they appear in Lake Malawi. I think it helps but I haven't done anything scientific, so it's just my gut feel. VitaChem is very expensive and yes, I add it to all my tanks after water changes. I have to keep uploading videos just to pay for VitaChem, LOL! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jeremymoore450]

@ thanks I definitely will follow your suggestions and add the salt and the cichlid trace and minerals back in my water. Appreciate all the advice you give. We definitely all learn from each other.

[@ulazerg7163]

Have you wondered if we are into this hobby for the fish, or do we have a water-changing fetish? This topic is always trending