Water changes?

Dec 20, 2006
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Michigan
So, I got my new 10 gallon tank up and running, with a heater, pump, fliter, gravel, light, and plants. I'm going to be putting 4 1" Mollies in there. How often should I change the water, and how much of it should be changed?
 
Is the tank cycled? If not you have to cycle the tank in which case you will not need water changes right away unless your ammonia and nitrite levels get too high. When doing a water change the norm is to change out about 20% using a gravel vac to remove excess food and waste that has accumulated on the bottom of the tank in the gravel that wil just sit there and rot and ultimetly affect you water quality and the fish.

Also I believe that most mollies will get way to big for a ten gallon tank. I would return them and then get something that is more appropriate for your tank size wise.

Marinemom
 
My tank is cycled, I just needed to know how often and how much water to remove when doing a water change. I'm not returning them.. I have plenty of room and I've become too attached.They only get to be a max of 3 inches and I have 5. That's perfect.
 
If you are using the inch per gallon rule(which is way inaccurate most of the time), well then 3 x5 =15 inches which is way too much for a ten gallon aquarium. You are way overstocked. Please return them for the sake of the fish if you really do care about them or at the very least some of them.

Marinemom
 
My tank is cycled
according to your tank specs under your name, this tank is currently empty? if so, how is it already cycled?

I'm going to be putting 4 1" Mollies in there
a ten gallon tank is on the small side for four mollies which will grow to about 4 inches at maturity. you'll need to change 50 percent of your water on a weekly basis in order to keep these fish 'happy'.
 
I did a fishless cycle. That's how. I started putting fish in this afternoon, and Marinemom- If you had looked at my signature, you'd realize that I have two 10 gallon tanks. Therefore, right now, they are all under and inch long. There is plenty of room. Once the inch per gallon rule is exceeded, I'll split them up and put some in the other tank which will be cycled by then. Liv2padl- were you stating the 50% weekly for the full grown fish or for the Mollies at an inch?

So the question still stands... possibly. How often and how much water should I change for four 1" Mollies in a 10 gallon tank..

-- Another question too- How many hours a day am I supposed to have the hood light on for? I've heard many contradicting hours and wanted to be sure.
 
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The amount of water you change depends on your water parameters. If you have lots of nitrate, you benefit more from a 50% water change than you would a 10% water change. The most important thing is actually doing the water change and being consistant. Get on a schedule and stick to it.
 
Thank you Reddog. I kinda get it now.
 
Flying_Diamond said:
I did a fishless cycle. That's how. I started putting fish in this afternoon, and Marinemom- If you had looked at my signature, you'd realize that I have two 10 gallon tanks. Therefore, right now, they are all under and inch long. There is plenty of room. Once the inch per gallon rule is exceeded, I'll split them up and put some in the other tank which will be cycled by then. Liv2padl- were you stating the 50% weekly for the full grown fish or for the Mollies at an inch?

So the question still stands... possibly. How often and how much water should I change for four 1" Mollies in a 10 gallon tank..

-- Another question too- How many hours a day am I supposed to have the hood light on for? I've heard many contradicting hours and wanted to be sure.
like Reddog80p said it all depends. i would say go with 25% weekly. if you have higher nitrates do 50%.

as for the lights the long you have them on the more likely you will get algae. i have live plants and they are on 8 hours a day. i would get a timer so it auto goes on and off at the times your around.
 
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