How Often For Water Change

[danep267]

Ok Im new to all this and i have a ten gallon and im going to go get a 55 gallon on the 5th so i need to know how often do i do a water change and how do i do it. Also how do I add water that has evaporated because i dont want to use tap water and kill my fish.

 

[minnnt]

Hey, welcome to the forum! The easiest way is to syphon the water out of the tank and then syphon new water into it. You need to use something like tap safe or dechlorinator to make the tap water safe for your fish.

Syphoning the water will make it less stressful for them as the water is not being chucked in and creating waves etc. Also creates less disturbance to your setup and the water isn't too disturbed either helping to keep it clearer.

Cheers, David.

 

[MrCrabs]

Ok Im new to all this and i have a ten gallon and im going to go get a 55 gallon on the 5th so i need to know how often do i do a water change and how do i do it. Also how do I add water that has evaporated because i dont want to use tap water and kill my fish.

I syphon my gravel once a month, and do weekly partial water changes sometimes bi-weekly but I have a 55 gallon and it only has 4 mollies 4 guppies, a frog, pleco, and some ghost shrimp.

Weekly 10% water changes work fine with tap water just use tap water conditioner such as Stress zyme, AquaClear, Prime on the gallon you put back in the tank and it will be fine, just make sure the temperature of the new water is the same as the tank. Now, of course when you get the 55 gallon you will change more than a gallon I usually change 5 gallons a week in my 55.

changing 10% of the water shouldnt hurt your little guys at all.

Good Luck, and Welcome to the forums!

 

[danep267]

Ok Im new to all this and i have a ten gallon and im going to go get a 55 gallon on the 5th so i need to know how often do i do a water change and how do i do it. Also how do I add water that has evaporated because i dont want to use tap water and kill my fish.

I syphon my gravel once a month, and do weekly partial water changes sometimes bi-weekly but I have a 55 gallon and it only has 4 mollies 4 guppies, a frog, pleco, and some ghost shrimp.

Weekly 10% water changes work fine with tap water just use tap water conditioner such as Stress zyme, AquaClear, Prime on the gallon you put back in the tank and it will be fine, just make sure the temperature of the new water is the same as the tank. Now, of course when you get the 55 gallon you will change more than a gallon I usually change 5 gallons a week in my 55.

changing 10% of the water shouldnt hurt your little guys at all.

Good Luck, and Welcome to the forums!

what do you mean you syphon your gravel

 

[TwoTankAmin]

As fishkeepers there is not a lot we can do do to make our aquatic buddies healthy and "happy". One of these is to provide them with clean water in a clean tank. To that end I do 35-50% waterchanges on all my tanks every week. At that time I also rinse out filter media in some of the tank water I have removed to a bucket. Fry and sensitive fish like discus or altums often get more frequent changes.

Ideally new water should be close to tank temperature and treated before it is added to the tank. It should also be of similar parameters as the tank water. When using tap water this should not be an issue

MrCrabs was referring to vacuuming one's substrate to remove waste that has settled at or near the surface of it. Most folks either use gravity powered siphons which drain into a bucket:

or something like this which you hook to your sink and it will not only power the vacuum but can also be used to refill the tank as well:

 

[Caprichoso]

Do a gravel vacuum every week, taking care around plant roots. In total, pull about 40% water out.(this is usually a combo of vac and extra water removal on top of vaccuming). You can invest in a gravel vac as mentioned above.This way, you can quickly and easily pull water out and put new water in, straight from the tap. Treat the tank with a de-chlorinator BEFORE you add the water though and then add beneficial bacteria supplement to the tank 15 minutes later. I always do 40% and I never have sick fish. I use to do less and always ended up with problems in the long term. Filter media gets rinsed with tank water every second week. If you are heavily stocked and have lots of plant debris, check that filter every week.

 

[KateW]

Sorry to hijack but I'm sure others will find it useful to know, how do you temperature match when using a python? In winter here the water straight out of the tap could be very cold - do you run it into a bucket first before putting the hose directly in to the tank?

 

[Caprichoso]

Sorry to hijack but I'm sure others will find it useful to know, how do you temperature match when using a python? In winter here the water straight out of the tap could be very cold - do you run it into a bucket first before putting the hose directly in to the tank?

Turn on the hot tap too. I keep the valve closed on the python until I like the temp of the water, then I open the valve and let the water flow in to the tank. I usually test the temp with my hand and monitor what is coming out of the python just to make sure it's still consistent. I only use a bucket for my small tanks. My 140g gets water straight from the tap. I'm from the great white north and have had no problems matching the temp to the tank.

 

[danep267]

Sorry to hijack but I'm sure others will find it useful to know, how do you temperature match when using a python? In winter here the water straight out of the tap could be very cold - do you run it into a bucket first before putting the hose directly in to the tank?

Turn on the hot tap too. I keep the valve closed on the python until I like the temp of the water, then I open the valve and let the water flow in to the tank. I usually test the temp with my hand and monitor what is coming out of the python just to make sure it's still consistent. I only use a bucket for my small tanks. My 140g gets water straight from the tap. I'm from the great white north and have had no problems matching the temp to the tank.

How do you use140 gal from tap when that water must be treated before you add it, and where would i get the beneficial bacteria supplement to add to the tank. Thank you all for helping me as much as you have so far.