Got Fish A Little Early What Do I Do?

[seth]

some people are saying to change a little bit of the water every day. is that a good idea. also if so how do i do that? thanks for any help.

 

[dwarfgourami]

What you do is, you switch off the tank electrics (filter, lights, heater). Then siphon out a percentage of the water (20-25% in a routine change, 40-50% in an emergency if readings are sky-high), you can get a cheap manual gravel vac from any lfs, it's basically a head attached to a length of plastic pipe. If you move this along the gravel it will vaccum out anydirt, but don't go to town on cleaning the gravel until the tank has cycled.

Prepare as much new water as you're going to take out, in a clean bucket (never used for non-fishy purposes): dechlorinate it and bringing it up to tank temperature (by using hot tap or adding some water from boiling kettle). Pour it gently back in the tank- I use a plastic measuring jug (also only kept for fish) for this job. Then DON' FORGET to turn the electrics back on again.

I assume your tank is still cycling- have you got a test kit, and are you testing for ammonia and nitrites?

 

[boozybears]

Yup, you are cycling with fish. It took me 6-7 weeks to cycle a 25 gallon tank with fish. In order the minimize the amount of stress for your fish, and increase the chances of them surviving, you should be doing at least 10-15% water changes a day with a 25% change once a week. Get a good test kit (personally I prefer the liquid ones to the dipping stick ones. I found the liquids ones more accurate) and test daily as well.

Read about the cycling process here and ask lots of questions

Good luck!!

 

[Bloo]

you should be doing at least 10-15% water changes a week with a 25% change once a week. Good luck!!

I take it you mean 10-15% "per day" ?

 

[boozybears]

you should be doing at least 10-15% water changes a week with a 25% change once a week. Good luck!!

I take it you mean 10-15% "per day" ?

you're too quick! already edited it

 

[seth]

ok i have just removed 2 gallons form tank and added 2 new gallons of treated water. Im supposed to do this until .0 ammonia/nitrate. right? thamks for any help