Can someone explain water changes?
- Thread starter Paintballer99
- Start date
Are you doing a fishless cycle? If so, no water changes are necessary, just do 1 80-90% WC when the cycle is complete and then add fish within 24 hours (I'd do it as soon as the water temperature stabilized after the change so that the bacteria don't start to die)
If you cycle with fish (I wouldn't-it's not very humane IMO, and it's way more work), then WCs will be necessary to keep ammonia under control to avoid killing the fish
andy is correct.. if using fishless cycle you should not have to do a water change until the tank is cycled and you are ready to add fish. if doing a fishy cycle then water changes are done to minmize the build up of toxins(ammonia, nitrite)
as you can see there is quite a bit of difference in what many consider a maint./waterchange schedule.
much really depends on the fish and how quickly they add waste to the tank.. another is the species of fish you wish to keep.
large fish that are messy should get large weekly water changes.
more sensitive fish should get large water changes but with more frequently.
remember it's not really about nitrate and nitrate removal.. there are other pollutants that can build up in a tank.
smaller water changes will remove fewer of these waste(pollutants) larger water changed remove more and dillute more.
in essence water changes are your friend.
as you can see there is quite a bit of difference in what many consider a maint./waterchange schedule.
much really depends on the fish and how quickly they add waste to the tank.. another is the species of fish you wish to keep.
large fish that are messy should get large weekly water changes.
more sensitive fish should get large water changes but with more frequently.
remember it's not really about nitrate and nitrate removal.. there are other pollutants that can build up in a tank.
smaller water changes will remove fewer of these waste(pollutants) larger water changed remove more and dillute more.
in essence water changes are your friend.
Also thought I'd add that you can use the tank water you take out to water any plants you may have growing...reduce the waste a bit! Once you work out a WC routine you can do it really quickly and it's generally less stressful. I can do complete general maintenance on my 55G in half an hour - includes trimming plants, removing all debris from the fish and a sand stir to prevent toxic gases from building up.
You may already know- but in case you don't...
When you do your water change- be sure to vac your gravel. (can skip around the base of live plants) but when you have fish in and they're pooping- you need a suction siphon hose to clean around the substrate.
You can get a siphon for $8 at a petstore... very necessary for the cleaning/water change process.
Err I must have a gill thumb (like a green thumb). I do it every two weeks or so. Also if the water starts looking bad or if the evaporation level gets to a point where I say "hmm time to clean".
I don't claim to have as much knowledge as anyone else on here, I am still a newbe.
I have never tested my water so I do not go by that.
I don't claim to have as much knowledge as anyone else on here, I am still a newbe.
I have never tested my water so I do not go by that.
LiveMermaid07
Bloody Mary. As in, hand me one.
When you do the water changes it is important to adjust the temperature of the new water to close as possible to the tank temperature and use a de-chlorinator before you put the water in the tank. Otherwise the chlorine will kill your bacteria and possible your fish.
When you vacuum the gravel, don't just skim the surface, dig down a bit to dislodge the gunk that accumulates. That gunk is excellent fertilizer, so don't waste it!
When you vacuum the gravel, don't just skim the surface, dig down a bit to dislodge the gunk that accumulates. That gunk is excellent fertilizer, so don't waste it!
