How Often Should I Change The Water?

[slimeneo]

I've had my 10 gallon (about 38L) tank for about 2-3 weeks now. I haven't gotten a testing kit yet... but I changed about 25% of the water a week ago and I was wondering if I need to do a complete water change soon. There is a filter and also an air pump.
There are 10 fish in total, 5 red platys and 5 gold barbs. They seem pretty happy, but the red platys poop a lot. Do you think I should do a water change or would any of you recommend getting a gravel vacuum?

Thanks!

 

[deftuch]

vaccums are essential! and water change 5 percent daily or 15 to 25 percent weekly. sounds like you dont know alot about fishkeeping. your in the right place to learn

 

[slimeneo]

Haha, thanks! No, I don't know much. I have a pond outside but we don't really do anything about it (or have to worry about it).

When should I do a 100% water change then?

 

[Tizer]

i'd hurry up with the test kit and have a read up about cycling. Sounds like your stocking is very poor and they are probably already slowly dying to ammonia poisoning. Welcome to fish keeping!

 

[Aqua Tom]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Ok, lest be honest, you introduced too many fish far too early. They are now swimming in their own waste because your filter cannot yet process it, this Toxic ammonia is killing them.

You need to lower the ammonia leves ASAP & the only way to do this is to do a massive water change & by massive I mean drain the tank untill the fish are barely able to swim, then refil with DECHLORINATED tempreture matched water. If you do not do this in the next day or so your fish will all die.

Once you have done this water change, do another the next day. This should bring the ammonia to a reasonable level.

You need a Liquid based test strip. API is the one I use. This is essential for fishkeeping.


There is a link in my sig below to the biginners rescource centre, please go there & read up on cycling, there is a lot to take in but this is essential knowledge.

Dont feel to bad, most of us have been in your position, I was when I first started & lost loads of fish.

Remember we are here to help.


Tom

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks everyone. I read a couple of things about cycling, but how long does it usually take for it to cycle? I'll do a water change today, thanks for all your help.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Cycling can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months in a fish-in cycle. But the average is between 6-8 weeks .

As suggested get a liquid based testing kit, most use API freshwater master kit, but there are others like saliferts which is a little more expensive but more precise.

Until you get the test kit do daily 90% water changes and test the tank water as soon as you get a test kit.

Following the advice on here WILL save your fish.

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

P.s if you can find mature filter media from a friend or your LFS (Local Fish Store) this will almost instantly cycle your tank.

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks I just did a 90% water change. I'll get a vacuum and a test kit tomorrow. From what I've read.. ammonia is bad and nitrate is good, right?

ALSO, for the testing kit, is this one the right one?

 

[Tizer]

nitrate is the end product and you get rid of it with water changes, live plants also soak some of it up, but you need a LOT of plants to make a difference, not just a couple ponced here and there.



First thing to learn is that a dirty filter = clean water as the bacteria in the filter which make the filter dirty and manky process the ammonia and nitrite keeping the water non toxic. Basic laymans terms for you. First mistake people make is that they look at the dirty filter sponges and clean them in tap water. bad!

I'd also recommend you change 50% of the tank water daily until you get a test kit and ensure you use dechlorinator to remove the chlorine and chloramines from the tap water.

The test kit you linked is spot on. Its a little expensive, but not as expensive as some, i use it myself.

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks! yeah, I don't plan to change the filter anytime soon. when DO you change it though?

Also for a vacuum... I can't seem to find any good ones! Here's one at my LFS that's reasonably priced, but the ratings are really bad. Here's another one that's really expensive....

For the first link, it just looks like a tube..... like the one I use to do my water changes. Basically, I put one end in the water and one end in a bucket and drain it out (90%). Could it be used as a vacuum as well? since it's capable of sucking up the gravel. Ahh, sorry for so many questions

 

[fluttermoth]

You want the cheaper kind; they work perfectly well, and I've used something similar (the Algarde Gravel cleaner) for years and years. It works just like your syphon tube, but has a large, rigid pipe at the tank end which you can dig into the gravel; it only sucks up the dirt, not the gravel as well.

The more expensive ones aren't that much use; certainly not to you in a fish-in cycle. They suck up dirt, but return the water to the tank.

 

[slimeneo]

Ah, makes sense. I'll try vacuuming with the syphon tube since the reviews are saying the water is taken out way too fast (and it seems like that's the only vacuum my LFS carries..)

 

[fluttermoth]

You can always keep your finger part way over the bucket end to slow down the flow a bit

'Hoovering' just with the syphon tube isn't very efficient; you just can't get enough gravel done that way, or do it as deep as with a proper one.

 

[slimeneo]

oh okay, I'll go out and get it tomorrow thanks for all your help!

 

[OldMan47]

You are doing a fish-in cycle. Large daily water changes are a must unless you want to sacrifice a lot of fish. When you have a test kit you may be able to cut back a bit on the water changes, based on the test results showing no need for one on a given day.