Hi im not sure if i am using this correctly but hey never mind, i have started a new fish tank which seems to run ok after initial set up and some fish loss at the begining. now my problem is when i carry out patial water change i seem to looose a fish each time i am changing aroun 25% of the water every two weeks and cleanin the filter with the water taken from the tank.
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- Thread starter murph123
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dont clean the filter every time you do a waterchange because the filter contains good bacteria which helps the tank mature
only rinse it slightly every 4-6 months if it is getting really clogged up with muck
that should help
get a water tester and tell us your water stats like nitrates nitrites and ammonia and people on this forum can help
only rinse it slightly every 4-6 months if it is getting really clogged up with muck
that should help
get a water tester and tell us your water stats like nitrates nitrites and ammonia and people on this forum can help
Hi murph123 
Welcome to the forum!
Your problem is not unusual with new tanks. The members here will be happy help you get it straightened away.
There is some science involved in this hobby, but nothing too complicated. Like joshjames mentioned, we need the test results for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. If you don't have a test kit, take some water to your lfs and ask them to test for these things. Just be sure to tell them you need the results in numbers.
In the meanwhile, it might be best if you don't rinse out your filter material at all, unless it is so full of gook that it slows the water flow down.
Good luck with this. I'll look forward to seeing more of your posts and following your progress.
Welcome to the forum!
Your problem is not unusual with new tanks. The members here will be happy help you get it straightened away.
There is some science involved in this hobby, but nothing too complicated. Like joshjames mentioned, we need the test results for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. If you don't have a test kit, take some water to your lfs and ask them to test for these things. Just be sure to tell them you need the results in numbers.
In the meanwhile, it might be best if you don't rinse out your filter material at all, unless it is so full of gook that it slows the water flow down.
Good luck with this. I'll look forward to seeing more of your posts and following your progress.
Welcome to the forum Murph123. I am sort of with Webber on this one. If you lose fish each time you do a water change, there is probably something wrong with your technique. A water change is usually greeted by my fish as a time to celebrate, not a time to die. It is important to roughly temperature match the new water to the old tank water and is also a must to treat the new water with a good quality dechlorinator. I use Prime but there are lots of decent dechlorinators out there.
As JoshJames said, the filter really only needs cleaning when the flow starts to be restricted. For a hang on back filter that could be as soon as a month while for a canister it could be as long as 6 months. It is something you will need to judge by observing the flow in your tank.
The chemical testing will help us understand where your tank is in terms of the nitrogen cycle. Only the liquid reagent types are generally trusted to give reasonable readings so don't be tempted by the slightly lower price of a test strip. In the long run, the test strips inaccurate readings lead to wrong actions and are best not being used at all.
As JoshJames said, the filter really only needs cleaning when the flow starts to be restricted. For a hang on back filter that could be as soon as a month while for a canister it could be as long as 6 months. It is something you will need to judge by observing the flow in your tank.
The chemical testing will help us understand where your tank is in terms of the nitrogen cycle. Only the liquid reagent types are generally trusted to give reasonable readings so don't be tempted by the slightly lower price of a test strip. In the long run, the test strips inaccurate readings lead to wrong actions and are best not being used at all.
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
Yes, agree with joshjames, webber and oldman47 up above.. good advice and questions!
to TFF!
~~waterdrop~~
to TFF!~~waterdrop~~
Hi all, thanks for the advice i have been taking one of the sponges out and just taking the gunk off it and swishing it in the water from the tank. i use a mix of hot and cold water to get temp right and add API stress coat to the water before i put it in the tank.i will go to pet shop today as i dont really get the readings from the test strips these are also API 5 in 1 test strips. when we first got it we went to the pet shop and they said we could have neon tetra we lost all 5 of them and i have since read the should be added after 6 months. my husbands idea to get the tank which is very nice but he works away and im now left trying to learn it all and my daughter is getting upset because we loose themits very distressing to watch and unable to do anything for them. Thank you again xx
Please get back to us as soon as you have some water readings and we will see what we can do to get you on the right path and stop losing your fish. The Stress coat product is a bit expensive to use but should work fine as a dechlorinator. The 5 in 1 strips are not recommended but the same brand in a liquid test kit is very well thought of.
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
Yes, we can certainly help a lot but its fairly urgent! wd
Hi sorry about the delay i had the water tested but they did not give me the readings they just said that the nitrate and amonia was slightly raisewd and that i should add water to level it out and re test in a few days. they did advise me not to add any more fish until its level which i would not do anyway. just checking does this advice seem right to you guys thanks jillxx
A large water change when even the LFS admits to high readings is definitely in order. Some fish shops will say it's a bit high but OK when we would be telling you to do 2 or 3 water changes. My call on this would be at least a 50% water change daily until you get a fresh test. At that point you want the numbers so that you can do the right thing for your fish. They really should understand your desire to know about your own tank Jill.
In your position I would be on eBay trying to find the API master freshwater test kit.
In your position I would be on eBay trying to find the API master freshwater test kit.
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
Absolutely agree with OM47's comment!
~~waterdrop~~
~~waterdrop~~
Hi thanyou all for your help. i will do a large water change,is it going to be ok to mix hot and cold water then put the stress coat in and put it into the tank i am very weary of doing it as this is when i have always lost a fish, and i will get it tested again they have the liquid test on offer for £19.99 so i will buy one of those is it easy to read the liquid test? wish me luck.
thanks jill x
thanks jill x
the problem youve had is adding fish too early without having the tank cycled, and because you clean the filter every few weeks your taking some of that good bacteria away so lengthening the process evern more.
your doing right with the water changes, but you'll need to do water changes every day with a dechlorinator added before it goes in to the tank.
also which filter have you got?
weve all been a newbie at some point, and even im stil learning from my newbie mistakes
your doing right with the water changes, but you'll need to do water changes every day with a dechlorinator added before it goes in to the tank.
also which filter have you got?
weve all been a newbie at some point, and even im stil learning from my newbie mistakes
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