How Often Can I Do A Water Change And How Much

[XFiSh_CichildX]

hello the past few day i have been doing a 10% to 20% water change but how often can i do this i have sand as the substrate so i see all the dirt which really annoys me thats why i have been doing the water changes i have three BNplecos they are the ones that are doing the dirtying can i do another 10-20% water change

 

[Gytas]

i have the same problem .... i have a sailfin pleco around 5 inches he is really messy too.... what i do is just 35% water change every 5 to 6 days .... i make sure to clean the gravel very well


i dry and feed my pleco around every 3 to 4 days ..... this way he does not produce as much waste



edit: i dont think cleaning the gravel so often is good for the bacteria that live there... because if i do water changes often or a very big water change at once (if there is a problem) i can notice the water go milky type

 

[dutto73]

i do mine every friday or saturday, i dont have time every day due to a 2yr old running riot, i was told on the "cleaning" thread to get a external filter, which i will wen my funds are ripe( i tried to attach a pic but says its to big) but look on "cleaning" its there

 

[XFiSh_CichildX]

it only take a 10% to get it sitting nicely but it must be the veg im feeding them every night im trying to condition them for breeding hehe mite o a 10% tonight then leave it till sunday and do a cool 30-50%

 

[anon02]

You can buy battery powered vacs that dont remove any water, check ebay

 

[XFiSh_CichildX]

You can buy battery powered vacs that dont remove any water, check ebay

wow do u have link sound cool

 

[Rutters19]

I have sand aswell and if all your wanting to do is clean the sand then buy a basting set, which has a large pipette that is PERFECT for sucking up excess poo or left over food, no need to keep doing water changes then

 

[XFiSh_CichildX]

I have sand aswell and if all your wanting to do is clean the sand then buy a basting set, which has a large pipette that is PERFECT for sucking up excess poo or left over food, no need to keep doing water changes then

where can i get this mate ???

 

[Liam50]

there are good eheim gravel vaccums that come with a funny little bag and it removes no water.

 

[XFiSh_CichildX]

there are good eheim gravel vaccums that come with a funny little bag and it removes no water.

do u hve a link ?? thnx

 

[Rutters19]

I have sand aswell and if all your wanting to do is clean the sand then buy a basting set, which has a large pipette that is PERFECT for sucking up excess poo or left over food, no need to keep doing water changes then

where can i get this mate ???

You can get them from loads of places, supermarkets sell them! I got mine from a shop that sells allsorts, bit like a pound shop, only cost me 99p!!!

 

[XFiSh_CichildX]

I have sand aswell and if all your wanting to do is clean the sand then buy a basting set, which has a large pipette that is PERFECT for sucking up excess poo or left over food, no need to keep doing water changes then

where can i get this mate ???

You can get them from loads of places, supermarkets sell them! I got mine from a shop that sells allsorts, bit like a pound shop, only cost me 99p!!!

flip im hunting for them on the weekend lol

 

[Rutters19]

I have sand aswell and if all your wanting to do is clean the sand then buy a basting set, which has a large pipette that is PERFECT for sucking up excess poo or left over food, no need to keep doing water changes then

where can i get this mate ???

You can get them from loads of places, supermarkets sell them! I got mine from a shop that sells allsorts, bit like a pound shop, only cost me 99p!!!

flip im hunting for them on the weekend lol

Exactly like that one in the link:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-BASTING-SET-TURKEY-CHICKEN-POULTRY-/260739802099?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item3cb54da3f3

Obviously you'll not be needing the basting brush,haha!!!