Water Change...

[LeapFrog_85]

How do you actually do it??

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I take the water out using my gravel cleaner as a syphon. Before that I did it by dipping a bucket into the tank but I find this way less stressful on the fish.

I do a water test, then take out about 20% using the gravel cleaner and then add temp matched (to touch) dechlorinated water using the syphon again to ensure as little stress as possible is put on the fish.

 

[LeapFrog_85]

how often should this be done?

 

[harried_mom]

With your population issue, I would try for at least 2 gallons a week (or 20%). The idea is to do more frequent changes with less water in order not to change the water chemistry too dramatically at any one time. If you can do two separate changes, that's good, but doing 20% in one go is probably sufficent. Other thoughts, folks?

Until you can separate some of these fishys, keep a close eye on your water quality and fish health. Watch for listless behavior, not eating, clamped fins, and more obvious paracites, like ich. Illness is often borne from poor water quality and stress. Good luck!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Where are all of those fish in your tank? All I see is the 10 gallon tank, nothing more. If all of those fish in your sig are in your tank, then you'd better find a solution, fast.

Side note: Your barbs and tetras should be kept in schools, so if you can't find accomodatiosn for them, then they should be the fish to go.

 

[LeapFrog_85]

I know that but I can't afford it right now.

 

[BIGMAC]

Hi leapfrog,you may need to do a couple of water changes a week i would think with that amount of fish in a small tank,and if you have gravel in there that will no doubt want cleaning up a bit so it would be easiest to do the water change with the syphon as you are cleaning the gravel up.But i agree as soon as you can afford get a bigger tank or take some of the fish back to the lfs