Getting A Bit Intimidated

[Jason Wakelin]

Hi all,

I've got to say, working with reptiles seems a lot easier than fish (for the moment)! Anyway, my next question involves water changes. Assuming I am able to successfully do a fishless cycle on my kids new 10gallon tank, it seems like water changes are the next challenge. I keep reading that a 50% change should be done every week. My question is, how exactly do you do a proper water change? Obvdiously I can't just scoop out 5 gallons and immediately pour in 5 gallons of tap water, or can I? I would assume that the new water would need to be the same temp as the tank water. And should I use de chloronation products, or let the water sit for a day before I use it? I hate to sound like an idiot here, but better that than killing off my kids fish when the tank is finally ready. If anyone out there could give me a simple, effective procedure for a water change on a 10 gallon I would really appreciate it! Also am I correct in assuming that is the next thing I need to learn after how to properly cycle the tank?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[ZoddyZod]

I'm new to fish keeping myself, but I do know that dechlorinator is a must. Very easy to use, just add the stated amount to the bucket of water (and mix) before adding it to the tank during each water change. It should also have been added to the water that you filled the tank with in the first place.

With regards to water changes, it seems the quantity and the frequency really depends on which fish you keep and how heavily stocked the tank is. If you can post what fish you are thinking of adding to the 10g tank, them I'm sure someone with more experience can tell you how frequent the changes need to be. 25% every two weeks seems to be the rough guideline once your tank is established. However, more than that can only be good for the fish.

 

[youngfisher]

Ok, so this is a 45ltr tank.
I would change 20ltrs per week as this is about 30% if im correct (wasnt good with maths).
But a 30% change everyweek is good, as most do 25% changes per week.
But you do have to be strict with it and make sure you do a waterchange every week.
What you can do is once you have taken the water out add the dechlor to the tank and then add the new water.
I used to do this but I found a really easy way now for my dads 130ltr Malawi tank.

Buy a 25ltr water container (will cost you from £5-15) then fill it with tap water, get a spare heater and put the heater in the water container and let it sit there to get up to the same temp. as in your tank then simply syphon the water you want to remove from your tank to somewhere, then just tip the water from the water container in the tank as it will be up to heat. You can either add dechlor to the water while its in the water container, or just before you put it in the main tank, put the dechlor in the main tank.

Step by step:

- Purchase 25w heater + 25l water container.
- Fill it up with water from the tap.
- Put heater temp. to what you have it in the tank, and drop it in the water container.
- While the water in there warms up, remove about 25l from your main tank.
- Add dechlor to your main tank, the amount you need for 25ltrs of water.
- When the water in the container is up to temp. tip it into the main tank.

Hope this helps!

YF

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Dechlorinator is optional, but I recommend it. If you do not choose to use dechlor, you should let your water sit for 24-48 hrs, make sure it is well aerated. Yes, heating your water to the exact temp. of the tank is ideal. Using most commercial brand dechlor almost instantly removes your chlorine, but also your chloramine if you have it in your tap water (which takes longer to evaporate) and will also neutralize heavy metals (letting your water sit does not.) Water changes should be done weekly, most people recommend about 25-30%, but 50% isn't going to hurt. Make sure to use a siphon to remove solid debris, and bi-monthly let your foam inserts sit in some tank water (that was taken out via water change) give them a gentle squeeze and a few good shakes in the water to remove debris.

I would recommend reading up on a fishless cycle, which I believe is pinned in the beginner section. If you can get your hands on mature filter media though, that is always the easier route.

 

[Jason Wakelin]

Thanks for the replys all. So the water change is pretty much like I thought it would be, that's good! I'm reading that I will need to go and buy a second heater, and I'm assuming that a fish store will sell a siphon. Are there any particular brands or models to avoid? Same question for the dechlorinator?

ZoddyZod, at this point we are not sure what species we would like to work with. Tetras and Rasboras seem to be reasonable choices due to their size and placid nature. I was also hoping to add some crustaceans if it is possible, but 10 gallons is not much to work with.

Youngfisher, thanks for the step by step. That was exactly what I was looking for. DiscusLova, by foam inserts do you mean that spongy block that sits at the top of the filtering unit? Also, I am very interested in your opinion on the product brands/models as I'm "just down the road" here in Vancouver. I assume we both have access to the same products here in western Canada.

Thanks again guys,
Jason

 

[youngfisher]

Dont buy a syphon, by this I mean you get a tube, suck on one end and it will suck the water out - Saves you some money.


YF

 

[ellena]

Using a heater to heat the water seems a little unecessary? Presumably you have a hot water system in your house, so why not use that?
I'd get a 12l bucket from B&Q (just over 3 gall, so about 1/3 of your tank) siphon out a bucketful of water (you can get siphons for £2.99 and nicer than the chance of getting a mouthful of tank water ) Empty that down the sink and fill up your bucket with warm water from the tap, roughly matching the temp by hand. Add dechlor (buy the pond stuff, under 1ml treats this size bucket) and pour the water back into the tank (I use a jug, disturbs the sand less that way) Job done
Just personal opinions, I know, but youngfisher, saying buy a 25l container and an extra heater then saying don't buy a siphon which is a couple of quid seems a bit odd, no?

 

[youngfisher]

I just find using a heater so you can get it to the exact same temp as your tank, so there is no shock to the fish. Also dont forget he lives over in canada so the prices for a syphon could be different. And £2.99 on a syphon is £2.99 you could buy fish food with, you dont get a mouthful of tank water if you do it correctly. But as you say, its all personal opinions.

YF

 

[Spanerman]

I find that priming the siphon with the valve tends to kick up more crud than its worth, so i just end up sucking mine!

 

[Forestpisces]

I just use the gravel vacs you buy at pets@home ive only ever had a gobfull of water twice and it isn't that bad, IMO if your happy for your fish to swim in it then it shouldn't bother you to accidently get it in your mouth whilst cleaning.

 

[youngfisher]

I got a mouthful of salt water, imagine how that tasted.

YF

 

[Forestpisces]

Now that my friend is a whole new kettle of fish

 

[Littlemonkey]

I have a watering can that I use to fill up after a clean. I mix the declor in it and mix the hot and cold till the temp just right. The fish love the flow and bubbles when I'm pouring it in. I picked just the right size can that can be lifted by me and I don't have to rest on the side of the tank to pour in. It does mean a few trips back and forwards from kitchen to livingroom, but it keeps me fit and the fish are happy.

 

[Nick16]

i doint mind getting the occasional gob full as my water is very clean.
however i dont really use dechlor much now anyway, and if i do it is the pond stuff as its soo much cheaper.

on larger tanks, if you are doing a 30% w/c (say on a 240L) people normally dont bother with dechlor as it mixes with the other 70% and is not threat at all. however, if you use a big tank i recommend you buy a pump to pump the water out! and then back in again, so much easier than back breaking lifting and slow pouring.

 

[Spanerman]

^i have a hose attachment for my tap, that makes things a billion times easier