? About 25% Water Changes

[LookingToLearn]

Hello all,
My name is Heidi and I am newbie. I am so sorry if this question has been asked b4. I looked thru the site and wasn't able to find it anywhere...

I am getting ready to do my first water change and I have a few questions.
After I remove the old water and have the new water to put in the tank, do I put the new water into the tank then treat the whole tank with the chlorine and ammonia eliminator or do I treat the water b4 I put it in the tank?

Also how long should I wait b4 adding my fishes back to the tank after I do the water change? I do have a goldfish book but it just tells me to do the water change and doesn't walk me thru how.

I know this is a dumb question but I just really want to make sure I do this right... Thanx very much for any help and advice. I really apprecaite it.
~heidi~

 

[shelaghfishface]

hi heidi and welcome,

dont take the fish out,

and add the declorinator to the bucket of fresh water,inly adding enough to treat the amount that you are replacing NOT the whole tank, try to make sure the water that you are adding back is similar in temperature to what you took out


you can use a plastic pipe to syphon the water into a bucket or a jug,and if you havent already take a look at the pinned topics in the forum, lots of fab advice in there

and carry on asking questions too, its the right way.you will get tonnes of good advice from very experienced fishkeepers ( of which i am not one of ...yet lol)

wishing you all the best with your hobby oh and dont forget to read up on cycling your filter, if you havent already

shelagh xxxxxx

 

[Duck and Dive]

You should add the de-chlorinator b4 you put it in the tank. Has the water in the tank at the moment been de-chlorinated?

D&D



Lol you beet me!

 

[shelaghfishface]

shame, as your probably better qualified than me to advise heidi,

shelagh xxxx


by the way tell us what size tank you have and the occupants,how long it has been set up etc,any filtration?
i wont bombard you with questions as you wont remeber a lot of it right away..

shelaghxxx

 

[raptorrex]

please please leave the fish in when you do water changes. you can add the dechlorinater to the bucket of water or the tank after you do it. remember to add enough for the water you change no the whole tank. it works virtually instantly so no worrys. its a big thing you r first water change, congratulations on getting that far. keep us all up to date
all the best Tylor

 

[doresy]

Hi, well you have had your question well answered so here's my 5 pence worth

Ok so it's obvious to all you 'experts' but....don't forget to hold back some of your old tank water to GENTLY squeeze out your filter media in but only PART of it mind (usually half. If you only have 1 bit then cut it in half and clean half this time then the other half next time)

Good luck and keep on askin' (we would have much to do if you didn't ask)

 

[shelaghfishface]

im certainley no expert,(( and i did add that)) and the filter washing didnt even occur to me, so thanks doresy
i will consider myself pulled up

 

[raptorrex]

im certainley no expert,(( and i did add that)) and the filter washing didnt even occur to me, so thanks doresy

same goes for me

 

[LookingToLearn]

Hi again everyone,
Thanks so much for the replies! I really appreciate it! I can't believe how nervous I am to change their water! lol

So I leave the fish in the tank while I am cleaning it? Ok, great, that makes it easier.. And yes,I am going to be using a gravel siphon. I emailed Tetra with some questions and they told me that would help me keep my tank cleaner..

As for the size of my tank... I am ashamed to say I have a 10 gallon tank and 2 gold fish. Yes, I know it is way too small and I am getting a 55 gallon tank. I was given very bad info and was told that a 10 gallon tank would safely house 3 goldfish! I was actually going to get another fish when I talked to a more knowledgeable person who told me I needed atleast a 55 gallon tank. I am getting my new tank very soon so I can get it set up and start, I believe it is called, a fishless cycle.

I have since gotten myself a book on Goldfish, joined a few groups and have been scouring the internet for info on caring for my fishes. I have a Common Goldfish and a Shubunkin. Their names are Hercules and Red...

Thank you again for the help. U will be seeing a lot more of me in these next few weeks! lol

 

[LookingToLearn]

Hi, well you have had your question well answered so here's my 5 pence worth

Ok so it's obvious to all you 'experts' but....don't forget to hold back some of your old tank water to GENTLY squeeze out your filter media in but only PART of it mind (usually half. If you only have 1 bit then cut it in half and clean half this time then the other half next time)

Good luck and keep on askin' (we would have much to do if you didn't ask)

Hi! Ok, my total cluelessness is really showing now. What do you mean? I was told to hold my filter under my faucet and rinse it with tap water weekly and to change the filter cartridge monthly. Can I please ask you to explain this to me? Sorry for being so clueless! Argh!

~heidi~

p.s. My filter is a Whisper 5-15

 

[LookingToLearn]

p.s. I forgot to add that I have had the tank set up for 1 week today, And it has a Whisper 5-15 filter..
Thanx again for the help

 

[adamgreen240]

p.s. I forgot to add that I have had the tank set up for 1 week today, And it has a Whisper 5-15 filter..
Thanx again for the help

you dont want to clean any of the media under tap water - just swill it in old tank water that you remove when you do your water change

 

[raptorrex]

Hi, well you have had your question well answered so here's my 5 pence worth

Ok so it's obvious to all you 'experts' but....don't forget to hold back some of your old tank water to GENTLY squeeze out your filter media in but only PART of it mind (usually half. If you only have 1 bit then cut it in half and clean half this time then the other half next time)

Good luck and keep on askin' (we would have much to do if you didn't ask)

Hi! Ok, my total cluelessness is really showing now. What do you mean? I was told to hold my filter under my faucet and rinse it with tap water weekly and to change the filter cartridge monthly. Can I please ask you to explain this to me? Sorry for being so clueless! Argh!

~heidi~

p.s. My filter is a Whisper 5-15

i agree with adamgreen240, as would most of our members. i would also add that there is no reason to change the cartridge every month, unless you own an LFS, then your bank balance insists your customers do.