I thought chloramines did not dissipate just by sitting in a bucket?
Are these ghost shrimp or amanos?
- Thread starter Divinityinlove
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Deleted member 149562
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You're right, it doesn't.
Chloramine does not evaporate.....well it does but usually takes upwards of a month to do so, hence the use of dechlorinators that remove both chloramine and chlorine instantly.
Ghost shrimp moan and rattle chains at night. That's how you know them.
Water changes do not make crystal clear water; they remove impurities which build up in the water over time. Filter media make crystal clear water by catching the bits. Impurities are invisible, we can't see them, so sparkly clean water may well be full of impurities, it just looks clean.
You are correct.
A good read on the importance of regular water changes: http://advancedaquariumconcepts.com/water-changes-and-water-quality-in-aquariums/
There's nothing "idiotic" about doing regular water changes. The amount of water changed can and will vary, depending on the tank, but regular, weekly water changes are a must if you choose to keep fish responsibly.
There's nothing "idiotic" about doing regular water changes. The amount of water changed can and will vary, depending on the tank, but regular, weekly water changes are a must if you choose to keep fish responsibly.
AbbeysDad
Fish Gatherer
Done routinely, large routine periodic partial water changes can be fine. However, there can be problems. For example, if a somewhat neglected tank suddenly gets a large water change the significant change in water chemistry can shock some, if not all, the inhabitants...and some may not handle it. With some treated water, a large water change without sufficient conditioner can be lethal.
For a deep dive, have a look at Filtration and Water Quality on my website.
footnote: I can't offer much regarding shrimp as I've never had them. However, I don't think any shrimp can out maneuver any healthy fish. It seems more likely that they may feast on fish that are already dead or dying.
kiko
Fishaholic
yep just like I mentioned before...there's filters for chlorine...and as @AbbeysDad mentioned as I previously did
----
"a large water change the significant change in water chemistry can shock some, if not all, the inhabitants..."
---
I rest my case...
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"a large water change the significant change in water chemistry can shock some, if not all, the inhabitants..."
---
I rest my case...
You left out "somewhat neglected tank suddenly gets a large water change"...completely different scenario than weekly water changes in a well-maintained tank
One of the reasons for doing regular largish (NOT 90%) water changes is so that the water in the tank is very similar to tap water. Then should an emergency arise and a 90% water is necessary, because tank and tap water are virtually the same, the fish will not be harmed.
Where very small water changes are done, or water changes are done infrequently, the tank water chemistry becomes very different from tap water. This is known as old tank syndrome. The water has changed slowly and the fish have acclimatised to it. If even a reasonable water change is now done, it will change the water chemistry drastically and the fish will be harmed. In an emergency, a water change cannot be done without harm to the fish, but the reason an emergency water change is needed will also harm the fish. It's a no-win situation. Had the fish keeper done regular 30 to 50% water changes, there would be no problem, an emergency water change could be done with no harm from either the water change, or whatever has got into the tank which created the emergency.
Where very small water changes are done, or water changes are done infrequently, the tank water chemistry becomes very different from tap water. This is known as old tank syndrome. The water has changed slowly and the fish have acclimatised to it. If even a reasonable water change is now done, it will change the water chemistry drastically and the fish will be harmed. In an emergency, a water change cannot be done without harm to the fish, but the reason an emergency water change is needed will also harm the fish. It's a no-win situation. Had the fish keeper done regular 30 to 50% water changes, there would be no problem, an emergency water change could be done with no harm from either the water change, or whatever has got into the tank which created the emergency.
kiko
Fishaholic
My community tank has never seen a 50% water
And my neon tetras breed in this tank
I've had this tank now for about a year which was an upgrade from another tank.
I have never advised anyone to do a 90% and I believe it's wrong no matter how much people love their prime and so on.
If prime went bankrupt tomorrow I honestly believe many people would come storming about what to use next and some even kill their fish in the process
True 30% changes can keep your fish closer to it's water source.
But the same can be attained with gradual increases every other day should the need arise
As for the chlorine talk...tap filters my friends..
They do wonders and they're not that expensive
Prime isn't the Holy Grail of fish keeping nor would I suggest it unless doing big water changes like 50%
And even then there's tap filters, carbon, peat moss and coral
And my neon tetras breed in this tank
I've had this tank now for about a year which was an upgrade from another tank.
I have never advised anyone to do a 90% and I believe it's wrong no matter how much people love their prime and so on.
If prime went bankrupt tomorrow I honestly believe many people would come storming about what to use next and some even kill their fish in the process
True 30% changes can keep your fish closer to it's water source.
But the same can be attained with gradual increases every other day should the need arise
As for the chlorine talk...tap filters my friends..
They do wonders and they're not that expensive
Prime isn't the Holy Grail of fish keeping nor would I suggest it unless doing big water changes like 50%
And even then there's tap filters, carbon, peat moss and coral
CaptainBarnicles
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Not everyone can afford or obtain the things you are suggesting instead of using dechlorinater...there are many brands available, Prime is popular amongst hobbiests because its reliable and good at its job. I'm surprised you know so much about it considering you've never used the stuff.
As for doing little water changes every other day, I'm sorry but some of us have jobs and families to raise and can't do that. I have 240 litres to deal with, I live in a hard water area and keep hard water fish. My plants are thriving. And I do up to 50% water changes every week. I've been a fish keeper for the best part of 20 years. I've never lost a fish due to clean, dechlorinated water...I have lost fish due to NOT doing regular water changes though.
To each their own, I'm not going to justify myself to you anymore. My tank speaks for itself
As for doing little water changes every other day, I'm sorry but some of us have jobs and families to raise and can't do that. I have 240 litres to deal with, I live in a hard water area and keep hard water fish. My plants are thriving. And I do up to 50% water changes every week. I've been a fish keeper for the best part of 20 years. I've never lost a fish due to clean, dechlorinated water...I have lost fish due to NOT doing regular water changes though.
To each their own, I'm not going to justify myself to you anymore. My tank speaks for itself
D
Deleted member 149562
Guest
I do 30-50% water changes weekly, sometimes 25% biweekly. I have a GKM that sits in the aquarium on an "incase" basis, its rarely used but its always there should it be required. I have never used any medications for my fish since larger than average water changes generally does the business and works for me
I don't use dechlorinators since I use bottled mineral water. My reason for using bottled mineral water is entirely down to my tapwater being absolutely disgusting. I will not drink it so I absolutely refuse to force my fish to swim in it. The bottles of water are stored in an outside shed, brought into my 30 square meter flat (no room for buckets) the day before water change day and spend the night in the same room as the aquarium (I don't heat the aquariums in summer since the room temp is more than the heater is set for....and yes I have Rams and an Apisto...but the water never drops below 26, the Rams breed wonderfully)
I started keeping fish when I was 10 years old with my late dad. I am now 58 years old.
I am open to different methods...as any fishkeeper should be....the reality is that not everything suggested can be done, not everything suggested is available in certain countries.
I have not lost a fish to anything other than old age or genetic issues. Never had disease or illness outbreaks in my aquariums.
IMHO the ones who SHOULD receive the brickbats are the stores who push the use of medications to fishkeepers who have not got a definitive diagnoses if a fish is unwell. Medications do way more damage that any other additive if used incorrectly or used willy nilly and without an accurate diagnoses of a problem. They should not be used as a preventative measure either (as has been recommended by some stores)
My aquariums are healthy...breeding explosions on a regular basis, maybe a little too regular....the way I do things works for me but I would never dream of pushing the way I do things onto another fishkeeper or be critical of another fishkeeper's methods unless it was obviously or blatantly bad....such as adding fish without cycling (which is an absolute minefield and really shouldn't be done or recommended to newbies to fishkeeping since it can easily end in tears & very dead fish) and adding the contents of a medication cabinet to an aquarium on either a preventative measure or willy nilly when not knowing what is actually wrong with the fish since that also usually ends in tears...and very dead fish.
More importantly it works for my fish. Afterall if my fish were not happy and healthy in their water environment and didn't thrive in their water changing routine, I would not be inundated with babies now....no...I would have lots of floating dead bodies.
I don't use dechlorinators since I use bottled mineral water. My reason for using bottled mineral water is entirely down to my tapwater being absolutely disgusting. I will not drink it so I absolutely refuse to force my fish to swim in it. The bottles of water are stored in an outside shed, brought into my 30 square meter flat (no room for buckets) the day before water change day and spend the night in the same room as the aquarium (I don't heat the aquariums in summer since the room temp is more than the heater is set for....and yes I have Rams and an Apisto...but the water never drops below 26, the Rams breed wonderfully)
I started keeping fish when I was 10 years old with my late dad. I am now 58 years old.
I am open to different methods...as any fishkeeper should be....the reality is that not everything suggested can be done, not everything suggested is available in certain countries.
I have not lost a fish to anything other than old age or genetic issues. Never had disease or illness outbreaks in my aquariums.
IMHO the ones who SHOULD receive the brickbats are the stores who push the use of medications to fishkeepers who have not got a definitive diagnoses if a fish is unwell. Medications do way more damage that any other additive if used incorrectly or used willy nilly and without an accurate diagnoses of a problem. They should not be used as a preventative measure either (as has been recommended by some stores)
My aquariums are healthy...breeding explosions on a regular basis, maybe a little too regular....the way I do things works for me but I would never dream of pushing the way I do things onto another fishkeeper or be critical of another fishkeeper's methods unless it was obviously or blatantly bad....such as adding fish without cycling (which is an absolute minefield and really shouldn't be done or recommended to newbies to fishkeeping since it can easily end in tears & very dead fish) and adding the contents of a medication cabinet to an aquarium on either a preventative measure or willy nilly when not knowing what is actually wrong with the fish since that also usually ends in tears...and very dead fish.
More importantly it works for my fish. Afterall if my fish were not happy and healthy in their water environment and didn't thrive in their water changing routine, I would not be inundated with babies now....no...I would have lots of floating dead bodies.
kiko
Fishaholic
I thought 90% water changes was ok by you?!? (or at least until your bud answered)
now that we agree that 90% water changes should NOT be done as a regular tank maintenance....
back on topic of the OP...
@Divinityinlove
amano's are NOT the reason your fish are dying
it was the BAD advice someone passed on to you...
I'm truly sorry for your losses and hope you can take this whole thing with a grain of salt and a lesson learned
for the future...whether you decide to go with 15% as I do
or decide to do 30% as some do
or to water chase with 50% changes...
keep in mind one thing...the bigger changes you do the more likelihood of shocking fish and killing them as it happened
My suggestion...don't trust a single person when having an issue....ask for advice then do your research and take your conclusions
and if anyone again ever tells you to do 90% water changes on a regular...slap them xD
now that we agree that 90% water changes should NOT be done as a regular tank maintenance....
back on topic of the OP...
@Divinityinlove
amano's are NOT the reason your fish are dying
it was the BAD advice someone passed on to you...
I'm truly sorry for your losses and hope you can take this whole thing with a grain of salt and a lesson learned
for the future...whether you decide to go with 15% as I do
or decide to do 30% as some do
or to water chase with 50% changes...
keep in mind one thing...the bigger changes you do the more likelihood of shocking fish and killing them as it happened
My suggestion...don't trust a single person when having an issue....ask for advice then do your research and take your conclusions
and if anyone again ever tells you to do 90% water changes on a regular...slap them xD
CaptainBarnicles
Moderate Pleco Tolerator
Staff member
Global Moderator ⚒️
Tank of the Month 🏆
Pet of the Month 🎖️
Please go back and read post #9
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