atomweaver wrote in
:

"bo0ger1" .@. wrote in
:

*Emphasis mine. Here, you attribute water changes to a herd
mentality;

Do you know why I refer to it as the 'herd mentality' or 'herd
behavior'? Because most people in this forum (and most people that I
have discussed the topic with) perform water changes ONLY because
everyone else is doing it.

Really? What has convinced you of that? Thus far, the only thing
I've seen to that end is that you've cited errors at Wayne's site wrt
valence state and number of oxygens on nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia.
Despite those errors, did you also find the underlying theory of the
nitrogen cycle to be somehow un-sound?

They don't understand why they are doing it
AND for this reason they don't know that they don't have to do it.

Read more on the 'herd behavior' he
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_mentality


Yeah, I don't see how this applies when

Oops! Noticed I didn't finish my thoughts here in the original post.

.... when there is plenty of scientific evidence in support of the
benefits of water changes, and at least some evidence that many regulars
here are making use of that science. Water changes can be used as a
means of nutrient export, and to replenish trace elements. (Yes, there
are other ways to address these same issues.) I can measure the
benefits of water changes in my tank, by observing the rate of change in
nitrate concentration (and phosphate, and etc.) with, and without
changes. Over the longer term (5+ years), regular water changes can
help with the export of any nutrients not assimilated by the nitrogen
cycle.

I've seen ample evidence that many of the posters here do, in fact,
understand the scientific basis for why they do water changes. You'll
have to elaborate on, and evidence, your claim of 'herd mentality', if
you want to have it taken seriously.

Regards
DaveZ
Atom Weaver