HELP! WATER CHANGE ISSUE!

Vacuum out the uneaten food. It looks to me like he needs more hiding places. That plastic plant may tear up his fins...

I would work on water changes to get rid of all those additives. I don't think they're helping & may add to trouble.

I've never had a water softener so I'm kinda guessing about your water issues. The softener removes GH (general harness) & adds sodium (salt) instead. Your fish is a freshwater fish, it doesn't want salt at all. Can you bypass the water softener? Maybe a outdoor spigot?
 
Vacuum out the uneaten food. It looks to me like he needs more hiding places. That plastic plant may tear up his fins...

I would work on water changes to get rid of all those additives. I don't think they're helping & may add to trouble.

I've never had a water softener so I'm kinda guessing about your water issues. The softener removes GH (general harness) & adds sodium (salt) instead. Your fish is a freshwater fish, it doesn't want salt at all. Can you bypass the water softener? Maybe a outdoor spigot?
I could always add some store bought water. I’ll check if the outside water bypasses the water softener. I need my mom to find the vacuum. I think I also need to put him in a slightly larger tank too. This one is smaller than I was told.
 
I could always add some store bought water. I’ll check if the outside water bypasses the water softener. I need my mom to find the vacuum. I think I also need to put him in a slightly larger tank too. This one is smaller than I was told.
I’m going to have to get some store bought water. The water from outside is disgustingly rusty! My Dad has enough as long as I go replace it later today. He can’t stand the water even though it goes through 2 filters.
 
I’m going to have to get some store bought water. The water from outside is disgustingly rusty! My Dad has enough as long as I go replace it later today. He can’t stand the water even though it goes through 2 filters.
I just tested the outside water and it’s reading 300 GH (very hard), at least 180 KH, and ph level of 8.4. I found out Whole Foods has a gallon water jug refill system that’s cheaper.
 
I just tested the outside water and it’s reading 300 GH (very hard), at least 180 KH, and ph level of 8.4. I found out Whole Foods has a gallon water jug refill system that’s cheaper.
There’s actual gunk in the cup of water I got from outside. We only use it for watering plants. I won’t even use it for the dog’s outdoor water bowl.
 
I am too lazy to see if the size of the tank is listed. But buying water is pretty pricey over time unless it is a small tank. I nead 11 gal.s of pure water (run through an RO/DI) that has 0 tds until ti absorbs co2 etc. from the air.

If water costs $1/gal. and you need only 5 gals/ week you need $260/gals. year. You can get a great RO or RO/DI unit for about %150.
 
It’s just a temporary fix for right now. I found a place where I can refill my gallon jugs for half the price. Once I can leave my parents house he’s going to have really great water. My old Jack Dempsey did so well he outgrew the tank and I had to rehome him.
 
I did a small water change but I actually tasted the water and it’s salty so I’m going to add some water from outside once it warms up to room temperature at least.
 
AquariaCentral.com