How Often Should I Change The Water?

[slimeneo]

Thanks for the help I ordered a test kit today. In-store for some reason it was way more expensive than online... So I ended up ordering it on amazon for $17, also a vacuum as well.

For cleaning the gravel I think I'll just try to use a syphon tube for now, until the vacuum arrives.

Unfortunately I'm going out of town for two days... I think I'll do a water change the morning I leave though I hope they'll be alright!

 

[Aqua Tom]

Thanks for the help I ordered a test kit today. In-store for some reason it was way more expensive than online... So I ended up ordering it on amazon for $17, also a vacuum as well.

For cleaning the gravel I think I'll just try to use a syphon tube for now, until the vacuum arrives.

Unfortunately I'm going out of town for two days... I think I'll do a water change the morning I leave though I hope they'll be alright!

On-line will always be cheaper, they dont have to pay for floor staff, building rent etc.


Tom

 

[slimeneo]

That's true. It says it should be here in about a week
I just did a water change and I tried to clean the gravel too (with syphon tube, poking it around and sucking up some of the poo), but apparently not enough because when I added the new water in, there were particles of poop, I think, floating around

 

[Livewire88]

When adding new water you will likely disturb waste that has collected at the bottom of the tank, this is normal unless you are extra careful when adding the new water, after a little while it will all settle back to the bottom of the tank.

It is good to see that you are taking the advice on here and rest assured your fish will be happier and healthier for it

Just stick to it and don't let up on the daily water changes

ps; you could always swish your net round gently to catch any poo that is floating round after adding your fresh water.

 

[Ruskull]

Haha, thanks! No, I don't know much. I have a pond outside but we don't really do anything about it (or have to worry about it).

When should I do a 100% water change then?

You shouldn't need to do a 100% water change ever. By doing 25-30% weekly, eventually all the water is changed out anyway. Large water changes are for when you overfeed or you need to lower ammonia or nitrite quickly for the benefit of the fish.

If your fish are pooping a lot it's probably because you're over feeding.

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks guys Yeah sometimes I use a net to get some poop, glad to hear that it's normal, though.

Hm, I usually feed them once or twice a day, but the platy poop a lot (well more than the gold barbs). I read online that platys usually poop a lot, but I think I might just stick with feeding them once a day now. What do you think?

 

[Ruskull]

P.s if you can find mature filter media from a friend or your LFS (Local Fish Store) this will almost instantly cycle your tank.

This is my preferred method. It takes away the long drawn out process of cycling, tedious daily huge water changes, and makes the "sport" more enjoyable.

A TEST KIT IS ESSENTIAL, that cannot be stressed enough. If you don't know your water stats you don't know whether your fish are dying or not.

The ammonia should always be below .25 parts per million and eventually it should read zero always. Nitrite should never be above zero if you can avoid it.

Good luckj & welcome to the forum.

Thanks guys Yeah sometimes I use a net to get some poop, glad to hear that it's normal, though.

Hm, I usually feed them once or twice a day, but the platy poop a lot (well more than the gold barbs). I read online that platys usually poop a lot, but I think I might just stick with feeding them once a day now. What do you think?

Once a day is good but it's the amount per feeding that might be too much. Try just a light sprinkle across the top of the water. See how long iut takes for the fish to consume all of it. If it takes more than 30-60 seconds you're probably feeding too much.

You might want to try feeding once every other day while your tank is cycling..............the fish will be fine with that amount of food. Just make sure when you feed them that all are getting some. Also remember a fish's stomach is only about as big as their eye so it takes less to "fill them up" than you probably think.

 

[slimeneo]

I only feed them a tiny amount, so that they all get some. I ordered the testing kit so it should be here in about 5 days.. but I'll definitely do lots of water changes until it comes.

This is kind of weird, but I actually like doing water changes. LOL.

I don't think they have mature filter media at my LFS petco (if any of you know it, it's in the US).

 

[Ruskull]

I only feed them a tiny amount, so that they all get some. I ordered the testing kit so it should be here in about 5 days.. but I'll definitely do lots of water changes until it comes.

This is kind of weird, but I actually like doing water changes. LOL.

I don't think they have mature filter media at my LFS petco (if any of you know it, it's in the US).

If you like doing water changes then fresh water fish keeping if def. for you! In fact yiou can do some of mine anytime you'd like..........


You should get the type of water cahnger siphon that has a manual squeeze starter like this one:

They are much easier to get going & they're more than good enough for a 10 gallon tank.

When I first started keeping fish I asked my local Petco for a used filter cartridge from one of their main tanks. The guy knew me & he knew why I wanted it so he pulled out a nice nasty one and put it in a bag of tank water. When I gotr home I cut the nastiest looking part into manageable strips that I put into my filter behind the filter insert that came with my new filter. It took less than 1 week for my filter to fully cycle but I tested it everyday for a month to be sure.

 

[slimeneo]

Oh, I got one similar to that, but it's also a vacuum: this one

but currently I just use a regular tube and suck one end of it to get the water flowing.

Oh wow, that's really quick I'm not sure if they would give me one, what do you think? because I don't know anyone there and it'd be kind of weird to ask them for an used filter

 

[Ruskull]

Oh, I got one similar to that, but it's also a vacuum: this one

but currently I just use a regular tube and suck one end of it to get the water flowing.

Oh wow, that's really quick I'm not sure if they would give me one, what do you think? because I don't know anyone there and it'd be kind of weird to ask them for an used filter

Ask the store manager & assure him/her that you will buy more fish & supplies if you get your tank properly cycled. It's worth it, trust me. I instantly cycled my 10 gallon using old filter felt from my 20 gallon & my 36 gallon. The 10 gallon was reading zero for ammonia & nitrites immediately while it had a Dwarf Gourami, 5 Glowlight Tetras and 3 Guppies. BOOM! Instant cycle because I used media from much larger tanks I presume.

 

[slimeneo]

sounds pretty good, I'll try to go back soon and ask. Thanks for the advice!

Ah, this is sort of off-topic but I always see my fish trying to eat poop... usually they'll spit it out but sometimes I don't see them spit it out... should I be worried?

 

[Ruskull]

Nah, fish taste test stuff all the time.

 

[slimeneo]

Nah, fish taste test stuff all the time.

Haha okay, thank you so much for your help

 

[Bugdozer]

sounds pretty good, I'll try to go back soon and ask. Thanks for the advice!

Ah, this is sort of off-topic but I always see my fish trying to eat poop... usually they'll spit it out but sometimes I don't see them spit it out... should I be worried?

I saw the pleasant sight today of a koi trying to eat another koi's poop while it was emerging from its body