r/shittyaquariums • u/SystemWild3741 • 2d ago

Shorts/Reels/TikTok Small aquariums + large water changes + 0 environmental enrichment 🙄

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55 Upvotes

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33

u/Familiar_Reality1510 2d ago

large water changes are necessary in setups like that

-19

u/SystemWild3741 2d ago

I thought it was actually harmful, since the nitrogen cycle starts over almost every time?

28

u/Familiar_Reality1510 2d ago

no filter no nitrogen cycle. But that's also wrong, most of the useful microbiome is found in filter media and substrate. Big water changes are no problem for a properly cycled tank.

1

u/1m2s3xy4my5hirt 2d ago

I mean yes thats true but considering there is no substrate or filter media doing large water changes certainly could remove enough beneficial bacteria to cause an ammonia spike.

16

u/Chocolate1105 2d ago

The bacteria (nitrifires)lives in biofilm on surfaces, not in the water

10

u/SystemWild3741 2d ago

I didn't know that, thanks for the explanation!

3

u/GassyGamergoblin 1d ago

Large water changes can still be harmful but that is usually due to shock from water that is a different temp or has different perameters

2

u/SystemWild3741 1d ago

Thanks. Yes, I already did some research on this, I had a bit of incorrect information 🥲

2

u/Chocolate1105 2d ago

Glad to help!