As an aquarium enthusiast, do you know how to perform waste removal and water changes in your fish tank?

Generally speaking, laying sand, planting aquatic plants, operating filters, and regularly adding beneficial bacteria play a significant role in purifying water quality. However, even though our aquariums can establish a good ecological filtration system, this ecological environment is still relatively small compared to natural waters, and the fish density is too high. Therefore, the "ecological balance" is more susceptible to disruption.

Changes in water quality and environment are mainly due to the accumulation of fish waste and leftover food, resulting in turbid water, organic matter consuming oxygen, and the production of harmful gases like hydrogen sulfide. Additionally, algae growth can affect the photosynthesis of aquatic plants, and the physical and chemical properties of water can change due to water evaporation or an increase in organic matter. If the aquarium is large and has few fish, this transformation may be slower. If the aquarium is small and has many fish, especially with the feeding of live foods like brine shrimp and artificial burgers, the transformation may occur more rapidly. While a well-functioning filtration system is necessary, regular water changes remain a fundamental solution.

For bare tanks, it is best to combine daily water changes with the use of a siphon to remove debris from the bottom of the tank and add an appropriate amount of new water. For planted tanks, changing water 1-2 times a week is recommended, using a specialized suction tube to also remove some debris from the sand. The amount of water changed each week should be around 1/3 of the total volume.

The frequency and amount of water changes should also vary depending on different water quality conditions and types of fish. For example, bare tanks with a high fish density, small volume, and easily turbid water may require continuous filtration and more frequent water changes. On the other hand, fish like bettas that are less active and prefer older water should have fewer and smaller water changes.

When changing water, pay attention to keeping the temperature difference within 4°C. For fish sensitive to water temperature, the temperature difference should be even smaller.