My First Water Change. Fail! Lol

[Jabb3r]

So today because of the high nitrate result I thought I'd freshen up the tank a lil bit with a 10% water change.

So I siphoned out about a bucket of water in no time at all only to find that in the bucket was one of my longfin danio's

So I got him in the net and back in the tank as quick as I could and he seemed fine, but this through my thoughts off a lil and so I thought it best I just get my replacement water in asap and leave the fish be as I'm sure @ least one is stressed out enough already.

So I topped up the tank with the new water and left them alone

15 mins later I realised I hadn't dechlorinated the new water so all I could do was add some dechlorinator direct into the tank so now I'm hopin for the best.

I did work one thing out though. To regulate water temp use the shower to fill a bucket. Won't be bang on, but will take off the chill.

All in all, not good for my 1st water change with fish. Glad it was only 10% and after siphonin a fish by removin that small amount I'm brickin gravel cleanin lol

Heres hopin
Jab

 

[moochy13]

it wont be a problem putting dechlorinator directly in the tank, as long as you do it relatively soon after changing the water. have you not got something to cover the end of the vaccuum tube ? alhtough it is a rare occurrence fish will be brave enough to be anywhere near the tube.

 

[Curiosity101]

Also on such a small water change you shouldn't have any adverse reactions from the fish or bacteria. It's good to still add the dechlor cause the chloramines and heavy metals wont leave the water other than being bound by the de-chlorinator.

Oh as for the fish, in future just make sure you keep an eye on the fish. I tend to put the syphon quite low and try to wedge it over something so the water can get up it but the gap is quite small. That way I can sit back and watch the tank and water level in the bucket. without needing to hold the syphon.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Great idea about the shower, I presume its an electricly heated one rather than a power shower?

I will definitely use that next time i do a water change.

 

[symon_say]

I get the BiOrb cleaner pump to do my water changes, it works really nice, and the tip that goes into the tank have a mesh inserted, that won't allow fish to go in, and is really easy to use it.

Is really cheap from amazon: http/amzn.to/fffhnJ

 

[waterdrop]

danios and neons are like that. I've had a danio go out the siphon and 50 feet down the hall into the catchbucket in the bathroom tub and be none the worse for it, in fact I think he thought it was great fun. And now my neons have become more and more fearless.

Definately don't shy away from your gravel cleaning though! You'll get the hang of it and it's one of the most important things in fishkeeping! What I do now is watch closely as the gravel-cleaning cylinder is lowered into the tank and get it carefully down to the gravel to plug the end so fish won't go in. Then, as I work on the gravel I use the cylinder itself to wave away the curious fish, sometimes having to move it rather quickly at them because they've become so fearless.

Agree with the others. A 10% change is too dilute for the chlorine/chloramines to cause any harm really. A fair number of experienced aquarists with very mature tanks don't bother to do conditioner if the change is 20% or less. That's not to say it isn't good insurance however and it's always recommended for beginners and tanks under a year. Even for very mature tanks it is so inexpensive to use something like Prime or pond conditioners that there's really little point to taking the risk, since water authorities can sometimes overdose on their end.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Jabb3r]

Thats good to hear. I'm gonna cover the end with the net bag that has the activated carbon in that I took out, should be ok.

It's a gas heated shower and it's just a cheap mixer jobby on the end. Figured it'd be ok.

Jab

P.S Glad to know I aint the only one thats done these things Lol

 

[L4byr1nth]

Make sure that's drinking water coming out of your shower...

Ben.

 

[Carlovel1]

it wont be a problem putting dechlorinator directly in the tank, as long as you do it relatively soon after changing the water. have you not got something to cover the end of the vaccuum tube ? alhtough it is a rare occurrence fish will be brave enough to be anywhere near the tube.

I use my big fat thumb to gently cover the hose to make sure no fish get sucked up. But in the past I've had some stupid Silvertip Tetras (lol I truely hate this species of fish ) get sucked up, they aren't scared of anything.

 

[moochy13]

ive just added 2 inch long banjo cats, and as they bury themselves, im very wary now of hoovering my sand. it doesnt help that they look like dead leaves or bits of wood.

 

[JoshuaA]

I've got silicon hose about 3x wider than the normal one I use for water changes, It can drain my 125 tank in just over a minute. I have been known to accidentally suck up a Gourami, he was actually a fair distance away from it but being inquisitive he decided to get closer....

He was perfectly find though, no harm done just a bruised ego to the other fishes!

 

[Jabb3r]

Make sure that's drinking water coming out of your shower...

Ben.

It tastes different than in the kitchen, but I've drank it if that counts?

 

[waterdrop]

funnier than the normal thread... I'm now picturing jabber sticking his head in the shower with his mouth open and flutter's gourami going down the tube! WD