Oh wow, ok that's interesting. I had always thought bigger changes were more crucial for smaller tanks because it was easy to build up nitrates. I'll try experimenting with once a week 10% changes, that will definitely be a lot quicker.
Firemouth growth rate questions
- Thread starter swifty
- Start date
Firemouths are hands down one of my favorite cichlids to keep.
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If you're needing to make bigger water changes because of nitrate or ammonia levels etc then that would suggest either over feeding or over crowding... you'd then be doing these larger water changes and fighting a loosing battle because your filter will not mature as the chlorine would be killing the bacteria all the time... allow the tank to settle and mature and underfeed your fish for a while... check your stocking levels and if theres any uneatten food remove it immediately 
Not sure of high nitrate levels, but I just did 50% changes because everywhere I went they suggested that as a standard procedure. Most LFS told me never to do more than 50%, but that they should be done weekly because it was fest for the fish.
I've honestly never tested my water for nitrates in the 6 1/2 months it's been setup. As it is now I feel I'm underfeeding. Everything is gone within 20 seconds, whether it be pellets or frozen cubes; nothing touches the sandy floor. I do feel it is a bit over-stocked because of the festivum, but I'm planning on removing him soon anyways because he is destroying my plants.
I've honestly never tested my water for nitrates in the 6 1/2 months it's been setup. As it is now I feel I'm underfeeding. Everything is gone within 20 seconds, whether it be pellets or frozen cubes; nothing touches the sandy floor. I do feel it is a bit over-stocked because of the festivum, but I'm planning on removing him soon anyways because he is destroying my plants.
