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This is one of the basic maintenance activities that should be carried out in an aquarium. In aquariums, harmful substances or compounds can accumulate due to the breakdown of organic waste, fertilization, and excretion of animal feces, leading to potential overgrowth of algae. Partial water changes are aimed at removing excess water and help maintain parameters at levels suitable for the health of fish and plants. Changing water once a week helps systematically manage freshwater aquariums, control parameters, and fertilize.

• Regular water changes are closely related to other activities for keeping the aquarium clean. We change water weekly to improve water quality parameters, remove dirty tank water partially and replace it with fresh water, and eliminate debris from plants or fish.
• It's crucial to turn off the heater and filter before changing the water. The amount of water change depends on the current condition of the tank and should be between 20-50%. In case of algae issues, use larger changes, and if there are no problems with the aquarium, fish, and plants are happy, a water change in the range of 30% is sufficient. For new aquariums, due to nitrogen cycling, water changes should be more substantial and even more frequent.
• Changing water is not just draining and refilling. The glass of the aquarium should be thoroughly cleaned of algae before starting such an operation. Algae floating in the aquarium water after such an operation will be removed with the water poured out of the aquarium.

In aquariums with a large number of plants, they are trimmed during water changes, meaning they are shortened and shaped. Floating plant fragments in the water should be sucked out during water changes.

If we change water with tap water, it's likely that the evaporated water leaves calcium-magnesium deposits, i.e., limescale, on the aquarium glass at the water's edge. During water changes, it can be mechanically removed first with a razor blade and then wiped off with a tissue soaked in vinegar, perfectly removing the stains.

After each water change, remember to use appropriate water conditioners to neutralize substances that may harm your fish, such as heavy metals, ammonia, and chlorine. Additionally, it's recommended to supplement beneficial bacteria to the tank water to ensure the purity of the water.

Developing a habit of regular water changes will help you deal with many issues and improve the conditions of fish, plants, and water quality in the aquarium. Besides changing the aquarium water, you can also remove pollutants present in the aquarium water, such as fish feces, while supporting filtration. If you want to learn more about aquarium filtration and filter media, we are happy to show you our Aquarium Filtration Guide.

It's worth mentioning that many fish found in our aquariums react very positively to this freshwater, often starting to spawn. As you can see, regular water changes are necessary for live plants, fish, and general water chemistry. Many aquarium owners say that this activity is crucial for establishing a balanced aquarium ecosystem, and they might be right. Regular water changes certainly bring you clean water and happy aquarium residents.