Daily ,weekly or monthly water changes

56longroof · 2026-08-12T13:27:07-0400

Since I added a Donovan nitrate destroyer my nitrates consistently run around 10 ppm. I stopped doing weekly water changes and now am only doing 1 or 2 a month just to replenish trace elements. Would a daily 1-2% water change be more effective at keeping things in order?

exnisstech · 2026-08-12T13:35:08-0400

Im pretty sure @Randy Holmes-Farley is set up doing auto daily or smaller changes so I'm sure he can provide some good info as far as pros and cons.
I've always wanted to set up an AWC system but I keep multiple tanks so it isn't feasible for me.

allof fish · 2026-08-12T13:38:31-0400

I try to do wc every 2 weeks. I don’t base them on nitrates though. My tank has settled between 7-10 for now but also a light fish load. I do them to replenish trace when I don’t dose them and find tanks almost always look better after a wc. Daily can be good to replace trace if heavy consumption but need the right set up to make it work

Gumbies R Us · 2026-08-12T13:51:26-0400

I did a water change (or attempted to) every 1-2 weeks

Uncle99 · 2026-08-12T13:56:16-0400

Water change only when nutrients are increasing.

landlubber · 2026-08-12T13:56:52-0400

i'd probably average out as monthly but the decision to change water earlier can also be a result of the tank looking a little frumpy or even just having the extra time to do it.