Tank Cleaning

[qvx91977]

Another basic question, sorry.

It looks like from posts I have been reading, that you only change 25% water, is this to keep bacteria levels normal? I have also purchased a sand cleaner, are these easy to use?

I assume you use a hose to syphon off arond 25% of the water in to a bucket, where do you put your fish though?? do you take them out of the tank, if so, where do you put them, in the bucket?

 

[Clairel]

Leave the fish in the tank !!!

I have a syphon hose too, and it doesnt bother the fish at all....

Yes just do small water changes, and it will keep your bacteria up, and your ammonia and nitirite levels down...

Claire x

 

[breezer40]

The amount of water to change really depends on how dirty the tank gets. If you kept a large pleco then you would maybe end up changing 25% twice a week. Use your eyes to check out how dirty the substrate is getting and also test kits to make sure that the Nitrates don't get too high (a clear indication that the tank needs more frequent changes).

I have never used a sand cleaner just a normal hose. Dirt on the sand is very easy to spot so I just suck it up in the hose and always make sure that you agitate the sand a little to stop gas build ups.

The fish stay in the tank while you do the water changes.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Yep, fish stay in the tank.

We only change 25% of water weekly (or the % that your fish need) so your fish do not get 'shock'. Shock can occur from a sudden change in pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc etc. Keeping that other 75% gives them some ease in adjusting to the new, clean, 25% water change.

Miagi