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?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

In a cycled tank there is absolutely no reason to add any so-called bacteria to the tank after regular. maint. and water changes. The API product is not what I would call the right bacteria anyway. I am betting you are using stress coat which you describe as stress drops. I would not add those either. I am not sure what dechlor you are using but that does matter.

I have well water and do not need dechlor unless I am bleach dipping things that go back into a tank. I also use it when away from home at fish events where I must use hotel water whccih does need to be decorinated. I keep a small bottle of SeaChem Prime and a bottle of Amquel as well.

 

[SwimmieSue]

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?

 

[SwimmieSue]

See the three Endlers?
They are so happy today. I'm glad I cleaned them.

 

[FranciscoB]

The endlers look very nice!
One suggestion. You have very coarse gravel as substratum, which allows uneaten food, poop and debris to fall in between and accumulate at layers where is very difficult to clean. You are better off with much finer gravel or sand.

 

[SwimmieSue]

Francisco,
Thank you for your reply.
When i clean the tank, I empty all decor and clean gravel swishing fresh water through it all many times.
If I switched you sand, how do I clean it?

 

[SwimmieSue]

I do test the water and nitrate and nitrites are all in perfect range. Water is soft and higher alkalinity. Ammonia at 0. I have charcoal filter and two extra sponges added to the intake tubes.