View Full Version : Water changes
jdheff1982
12-10-2003, 8:15 AM
Hey all!! Long time, no write! :D I have a serious question. How long can I go without a water change. Since I have been sick the past 2 weeks, I haven't done a water change. This weekend will be the 3rd week and I am noticing some things with my pleco. I don't know if it is sand stuck to his face or if it is something else. I know what ich looks like and this isn't it. It just looks like sand sized particles around the edge of his face. Everything else looks fine. The 2 angels are not showing any bad sighns yet, but the pleco is. I know 3 weeks is too long and I will do one this weekend. Should I do larger a then normal change. Maybe 50% instead of 25%??? I may just tear it down too. Since I work 3rd shift, I don't get to enjoy the fish very much and my maintence is next to nothing. It's either that or I am losing my steam for this hobby. Well, that's it for now. I've gotta sleep. I may just do a change tonight if I feel up to it. Chat with ya later!
Dangerdoll
12-10-2003, 8:51 AM
how sad..... :shake:
BUT I should say also commendable for realizing there isn't the right amount of time to dedicate to the hobby so instead of having his fish-friends suffer, would rather not put any through the stress of ignorance at all.....
BTW, you'll be back ;)
Perhaps you should think about getting rid of the fish that will cause problems if you can't do enoguh maintenace on the tank. That pleco is a waste machine and without his the water quality will definatley be better.
My tanks can go for 3 weeks without a water change. This only happens when I am travelling as I normally do 1 or 2 water changes a week (small tanks). But it is nice to know.
I would definatley do a big water change next chance you get. And perhaps if you can only get to it every couple of weeks then a big 50% change will be the way to go with some topoff water added in.
aquariumfishguy
12-10-2003, 3:18 PM
With me working near 60 hours a week, it doesn't allow for much free time. This being the case, my tanks get a water change every 2 weeks. My water levels are near perfect. When I travel the water change can be delayed...the fish also manage through this.
My reasons for telling you this information is so that you'll know it wont kill your fish to go 2 1/2 weeks w/o a water change. Infact, if you must, 3 weeks wont kill them either. However I wouldnt make a habbit of going 3 weeks without a water change as this can lead to problems.
jdheff1982
12-11-2003, 7:46 AM
I finally got a chance to do a water change. I was feeling so bad about my lack of motivation that that alone motivated me to change the water. I changed a full 10 gallons in my 30 gal. and the pleco looks much better. Doesn't have those wierd looking sand particles on his face. I know I can do it, just trying to find the easist way to do it. Since I don;t get to drain the water in the sink I have to fill a 5 gallon gas tank (no gas was ever in it) twice and dump it in the shower drain. Anywho, it's been done! When I move out, I am gonna try to get a 90 gal tank to house 2 oscars (or something else large). Anywho, that's far from now. Ciao!!!
Glad to hear you are motivated again. Couldn't keep those spirits down too long. A good healthy looking fish will do that to you every time.:)
Dangerdoll
12-11-2003, 10:26 AM
hehehehe, glad to hear the towel has been retracted. ;) You'll see jdheff1982, it's better this way :cool:
Prometheus
12-11-2003, 11:56 AM
When I first got into this hobby, my 30 gallon tank went 8 months without a water change...
I had 2 bala sharks, big pleco, tetras, cories, mollies.... (I didn't really know anything about fish, little did I know how overstocked I was)...
All I did was top the water off every week or so....
I have no idea how they all surived... But all the fish lived 3+ years... but they did look a whole lot better once I realized I needed to do water changes, vacumm the gravel, Learned that there was more to a tank than just pH and ammonia, ect. ect....
I strive to do a 25% water change every week, nowadays...
Sometimes I go 10 days then do a 30%, you maybe busy with work, but durring a 10 day period, you should be able to find 30 minutes to spend on your tank... IMO.
Glad to hear things are better, BTW
jdheff1982
12-12-2003, 7:49 AM
Ya, the fish (especially the pleco) are much happier now and the tank doesn't have the dirty look to it anymore. Once I stopped using the faucet to both drain and fill my tank, it became apparent how difficult a water change can be using a hose and bucket. Well, thanks for the support!!!
Ciao! :D