At what point do you "see the need"? What are your requirements?

I look at the tank every day. I know what it should look like. If
it doesn't look right and I can't fix it by cleaning the glass, I change
some water.

You are masking a problem by doing the water change.

Granted, I have a couple small tanks, deep sand, lots of rocks, low
bio-load, no sumps, no skimmers.

Ah, there is your problem! No skimmer. You have been keeping fish for
years and you dont have a skimmer? You definitely would benefit from a
skimmer. It will reduce your bio load.

To use one of your lines:
If you can afford this hobby at all, buying a SKIMMER is not going to break
the bank.

If I were running a large system, I'd have a lot more equipment and I'd
test at least once a month. Heck, maybe even twice.
I just got a job, maybe I'll even add a refugium so my mangroves
don't have to grow in the tanks. What fun!

Your "need" to do a water change is masking a problem.
I have a feeling that your "need" to do a water change is purely
ritualistic.

Could be. Maybe it's that nesting urge. Meanwhile it maakes me AND
my fish happy and prevents any major water quality problems from
appearing, so I don't consider it a waste of time.

If you can look at your tank and tell your water is not "tip top" than your
problems have ALREADY appeared.
Fix the root of the problem and no need to do water changes.

I would definitely never recommend against regular water changes in a
forum frequented by newbies looking for help who might take it as gospel
and don't have the experience to take good care of their own tanks withOUT
said changes.

I wouldn't keep pushing this water changing folklore on newbies looking for
help.

If you can afford this hobby at all, aquarium salt is not going to break
the bank.

It is not an issue of money, it is an issue of neccessity.


Cindy