When changing the water in the tank, what water do you use to replace what you've taken out??? Won't the fish have a negative reaction to having new water put in? Sorry, but I had to ask....... cause "the only bad questions are the ones not asked." I don't want to make a bad water change and send my fish into a tizzy. TIA for any advice.
Water changing question
- Thread starter ratherbe
- Start date
depending on your tank size, you can use aged water and buckets, or do what many members do and use something like a "python"
With something like a python you need to add dechlorinator to the tank before adding any water, and then add water straight from the tap. It's best to keep the tap water close to the same temp as the tank water.
With something like a python you need to add dechlorinator to the tank before adding any water, and then add water straight from the tap. It's best to keep the tap water close to the same temp as the tank water.
right, the time when "new water" presents a problem is if tank conditions have deteriorated due to long time between water changes. Then the water chemistry starts to change (pH acidic, high nitrates, thick with wastes). Then the shock of clean water can hurt fish. It's called Old Tank Syndrome.
But if you keep up with water changes, you keep tank conditions closer to source water. That way, new water is not a shock.
Just make sure added water is near the same temperature as the tank. I use a thermometer, but many people just do it by feel.
hope that helps!
But if you keep up with water changes, you keep tank conditions closer to source water. That way, new water is not a shock.
Just make sure added water is near the same temperature as the tank. I use a thermometer, but many people just do it by feel.
hope that helps!
Uh-ohhhhh. I'm a newbie and didn't realize that changing the water was SO important and I haven't changed it since putting the fish in about a month ago. (Some time ago I had goldfish and changed the water whenever it got yucky.) Today I bought the syphon to do a water change and the chemicals to check the water. The one gallon fish aquarium that I bought at a garage sale for $3.00 has turned into quite the ordeal! (That tank is in the basement now, and I brought up the 29 gallon that I had down there.)
So, should I just do maybe a 10% water change every day for a week or two? I really don't want to stress out the fish. Help!
So, should I just do maybe a 10% water change every day for a week or two? I really don't want to stress out the fish. Help!
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
what I was thinking is you are going to need the test so that you can probably do daily water changes until you start to see things becoming stable.
yes, ratherbe. Test your tank water and compare it to tap water (or whatever you're going to use to refill the tank). If the values are very different, then the recommended remedy is small water changes, 5-10% every day for about 2 or 3 weeks. At the end of that time, tank water should be in good condition and you can continue with normal water changing schedule. The recommended maintenance is 25-50% water changes every week. You can do more often if it's needed (e.g. if you have any ammonia or nitrite, or nitrates get too high). But as per Dangerdoll's recommendation, the tests tell you when you need to do a water change, and when conditions are healthy for your fish.
Let us know if you need any help with interpreting test results or how to do water changes!
Let us know if you need any help with interpreting test results or how to do water changes!
I tested the ph, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and everything is right on target!!! I'm using the AP Freshwater Master Test Kit. Maybe it's because I use well water as I live in the country. I dunno. But I sure am happy that everything's stable! I'm going to do a partial water change Saturday morning, and then add some Melafix as a precaution.