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Aquarium water change calculator

A 10–30% weekly change is a starting range, adjusted by water tests and livestock needs. The table uses 85% of nominal capacity, not geometric volume. Bucket counts are fractional volume equivalents; use safe fill marks and allow carrying headroom. Larger emergency changes may be needed for unsafe water, with temperature and chemistry matched.

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Use your measurements and current product instructions. These are freshwater planning estimates.

Worked example: 20 gallon long

20 nominal gal × 0.85 = 17 estimated water gal. × 0.25 = 4.25 gal (16.09 L). Divide by 5 = 0.85 bucket equivalents.

ChangeUS galLitres5 gal buckets (equivalents)
10%1.76.440.34
20%3.412.870.68
25%4.2516.090.85
30%5.119.311.02
50%8.532.181.7

Aqueon water maintenance

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