Haven't done a water change for a while...

[nrbelk]

How bad of shape am I in? With stuff going on, I forgot to do my monthly water change (I got for about 20/25% water change once a month) and its now going on a month and half. I plan on doing the water change this weekend but wanted to know how much stress I put on my tank by not doing a water change last month.

[fishnub]

i dont see an issue. just do one asap

[Jstdv8]

water changes if done 20% or less can only help not hurt. as long as the parameters of teh new water are right that is.

[saltkreep88]

Many people go years with no major issue, you will not have any issues.

[Flame_Angel]

There was a period where I was working double-shifts for about 6 months, and other than topping off, I didn't do a single water change on my 29 reef. Everything was doing just fine...just not as 110% as it could have been. I'd say you're not in any danger, just make sure you do one at some point in the near future.

[TripleT]

If you have a low bioload, and good filtration/skimming, no big deal.

Heavy bioload? Undersized skimmer? Canister filter? Overfeeder? Do your water change!

Your fish will be less stressed, and live longer.

Might also be a good time to test your nitrates and phosphates, to see the effects of your blatant negligence. ;)

And if you're doing the change this weekend, it's a good idea to start mixing the salt before then. Mix for at least a day before exposing your fish to it.

[dwculp]

How bad of shape am I in? With stuff going on, I forgot to do my monthly water change (I got for about 20/25% water change once a month) and its now going on a month and half. I plan on doing the water change this weekend but wanted to know how much stress I put on my tank by not doing a water change last month.

As long as things are looking good, nothing looks stressed or is dying I would not worry about it. I have a small 29 gallon, I did a 10 gallon water change yesterday, before that my last water change was seven months ago.

[iamwrasseman]

don't worry at all but please be advised that small weekly water changes done religiously will benefit your tank and its inhabitants greatly . you will have smaller changes less swings and the water parameters will not creep out of whack as easy . if you wait long between each change you will slowly watch you alk drop in many cases and then have to fight to get them back in order . from my experience you will not have a problem for now but if you do a little more often you will be happier and have less 911 situations .its all a part or preventative maintenance and if you fix things before they break they usually last longer and that also works with water changes .its a part of the hobby that is easy if you do it weekly but if you wait months then you will have a mess on your hands and it wont be fun anymore . good luck !

[Tuscaquatics]

I've done one 20% water change on my 75 reef in the last 5 months or so. Everything is doing great. Zero nitrates and phosphates.

In my 55 FOWLR, I haven't even done one in that amount of time. The fish are great. It runs off a wet/dry and chaeto, and I don't have hardly a speck of nuisance algae in the DT.

[iamwrasseman]

okay