Holding off on water change.

[SwimmieSue]

Hi all.
I've had some loss of fish after a full water change leaving back bacteria and returning water back to the tank. Hesitant about doing a water change although I see brown algae starting to grow. Fish are delightfully happy. Don't want to hurt them. Should I just take out the shells and plants and clean them off and put them back in? Any advice from all the pros? Thank you.

 

[FranciscoB]

A more complete explanation of your maintenance method is needed for advice. Did you take water out and put it back in? (The same water?). If so, that does not accomplish much.
During water changes, one must remove water, siphon out some of the visible debris (specially any uneaten food), and replace water with new, dechlorinated water of similar parameters. In fact, the items most in need or removal are those one can not see with eyes, as they are in solution in the water (nitrate and other chemicals).
Apologies if I misunderstood your description, and good luck.

 

[GaryE]

I have the same questions as @FranciscoB . When I remove water, 30 % or more comes out, to be replaced by fresh dechlorinated water.

 

[JohnnyReb]

Hi all.
I've had some loss of fish after a full water change leaving back bacteria and returning water back to the tank. Hesitant about doing a water change although I see brown algae starting to grow. Fish are delightfully happy. Don't want to hurt them. Should I just take out the shells and plants and clean them off and put them back in? Any advice from all the pros? Thank you.

Don't do a full water change everytime. Start with a 30% change, then next time a 50% change, then stop maybe 75%.

 

[SwimmieSue]

 

[SwimmieSue]

I decided to syphon half a gallon out and then take the three fish out. Then I took out everything inside the tank and clean the whole thing gravel and glass. Refilled it and added API quick start and stress drops. Put the remaining half gallon of old tank water into the new tank water.
They look really delighted now.
So relieved they're swimming together energetically.

 

[fishorama]

I think you may be overcleaning your tank. Beneficial bacteria live on all tank surfaces; substrate, decor, filter media, tank sides, everywhere! You don't want to remove the good stuff! When we talk about water changing, we mean siphoning up poo from the substrate & just water removal, replaced with fresh new dechlorinated water. There is no reason to return "used" tank water. Do you have a test kit or can you take a sample to a shop?

Like others said, you may be overthinking this. If the tank is fairly newly set up, you might see some "brown algae", but that is a normal part of new tanks. It goes away in several weeks.

If your "stress drops" contain aloe, stop using it now! & use 30% water changes to remove it.

You know, I looked at your pic & couldn't see any fish. What do you have? What size tank?