How Often Should I...

5150_bronco

5150_bronco

AC Members
Mar 5, 2005
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0
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Bakersfield, CA
I was wondering how often i shoulf be changing my freshwater tank? The ppl at PetSmart told me to do it about once a week. I have been changing it every 7-10 days. Someone tell me how often I should or should not be changing it!

Thanks,
:spam:
 
Well, if you are talking about water changes then 10%-15% a week will do.
 
I just saw your sig. and if that is the tank you are talking about then I would do 30%40% a week if not more. That's alot of fish for a 46g. JMO
 
I change 50% a week while also doing a gravel vac.
You should be doing at least that,since your tank is grossly overstocked.
Most of those fish are going to outgrow your tank,especially the plecos.
 
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generally the idea is to match the tank water as close as possible to the change water. This is probably tap water for you. The longer the water in the tank stays the same (the same water that is) the less it will resemble what comes out of the tap (pH, Kh, ammonia etc...) So you have to do the amount of water changes needed to keep the levels similar. For my 20 gallon tank that means a minimum of 5 gallons a week and more likely 10 gallons a week as my buffer is so low. Without those changes my pH crashes.

Also with the load of fish you have the nitrates will climb quickly and need to be dealt with. I too suggest you think about taking a few of those guys back to the store if possible. Until then weekly water changes of 50% are needed or if that is too much to handle at one time a twice a week water change of 30% is basically the same thing.
 
Thanks for all of the advice and just yesterday when I changed my tank and when I went to put my fish back in the tank I had 2 dead danios and 1 dead tetra and 1 dead tiger barb. At first thought the water was to warm but it was between 74f and 80f. After all of my fish were put back in the tank 2 hours later I had 2 albino tiger barbs stuck to the filter dead and another 1 dead danio. I check all of the levels after all of those fish had died and everything was were it needed to be. Someone tell me what happened!!!!
 
I am sorry about your losses.

You need to be testing for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and change the water often enough to keep them at okay levels.

Don't remove all the water at once, just a percentage (as needed). Leave the fish in the tank while you do the partial water change--taking them out stresses them (and you) and increases the chance of mishaps.

What water conditioner are you using?
 
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