Two 50% or One 100% WC Daily?

Hello All!

Given my current setup and logistical limits, I have two main options for WC. I would value some input from seasoned experts on which might be better, if any.

Option 1: Two 50's a day
50% WC and vac in morning, 50% WC and vac in evening

Option 2: One 100 a day
0% WC in morning but still vacuuming, 100% WC and vac in evening
- the 100% WC is actually a 90% then refill a bit and change another 10% (since I keep the fish in-tank during)

Further Info
Tank: 40B tank, BB (moving to 75g in a few months)
Filtration: two sponge filters
Stocking: six juvies, mostly 3 inches but one getting close to 4 inches
Feeding: homemade BH, seafood, veggie mix in morning, 3 auto-feeding of Cobalt Discus flakes or FDBW, homemade mix again in evening
Water: 24 hour aged/aerated tap treated with Prime, PH ~8.0 (high but very consistent), Temp 85 F

Thank you for your time and feedback!

Evan

What are you feeding how often and when? You are going to get a 50-50 split when it comes to this and people will have their reasons behind it I think that if you are feeding them a lot it makes sense to do the 250% feedings because then you will clean up a lot more of the leftover food however if you are feeding a mix of food and save the messy food for right before the water change then you can accomplish the same thing with a big 100% change

Like Phill says , there are no stone carved rules about this . I my self am a big fan of 100 % bedtime cleanouts because that way you reset the parameters and bacterial counter to 0 and leave the fish in pristine water for at least 10-12 hours until your next feeding .
With 2 50% I'll have the feeling that they are always in semi diluted toxins and not in pristine water condition . That's only my POV . I'm sure many others may disagree with it .

Thank you both for the input. I understand there will be split opinions on this...I myself am split. Haha. So it will be interesting to see what others say.

As for the feeding point...5 times a day, details in the first post. I am vacuuming both morning and night (the dirtiest feeding times) regardless of when I do the WC. So that helps.

Whichever way I go, do you think in general this WC is good for juvies? I would think 100% total change per day is good, but I've been misguided before in WC requirements. Really want to do it right this time.

Thank you!

Not to argue the merits of a good water change, but it's not necessary to feed 5 times a day and change this much water daily for 3" fish (fry, perhaps).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Revan

Thank you both for the input. I understand there will be split opinions on this...I myself am split. Haha. So it will be interesting to see what others say.

As for the feeding point...5 times a day, details in the first post. I am vacuuming both morning and night (the dirtiest feeding times) regardless of when I do the WC. So that helps.

Whichever way I go, do you think in general this WC is good for juvies? I would think 100% total change per day is good, but I've been misguided before in WC requirements. Really want to do it right this time.

Thank you!

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100% daily should be more than enough IMHO given the tank size , numbers , age, size of your discus and feeding regiment.

I'm sorry not sure how I missed all your good info clearly laid out.

I like flips 100 bedtime idea honestly.

I'm growing out 15 discus (2 inches) in a 40B BB tank for over a month now. Feeding 3 times a day, BH mix, AFDBW, 100% water change and wipe down at night. They are all doing great, always have the appetite. I'd say it will be time for a tank upgrade in a month or so.

P.S
Sorry Steve (RogueDiscus), I lost one due a bad siphoning accident, it got sucked the siphon tube head first :(

Both should work but it depends a bit on your fish and water parameters. in ideal condition, no ph swing, no water bubbles, no delay in dechlorination AND bold fish will be fine with 2 50% WC. However, if your fish get spooked during WC and water parameters switch a lot then you are better off with 100% WC.