My Mom Wants Me To Do A 100% Water Change!

[goldfish98]

Even without fish, I will NOT do such a large change! It would cause a recycle! My mom is convinced that tanks don't need to be cycled and that such a large change will help. She thinks its the only way to get all the toxins out. Can you help me convince her that she is wrong? (I do all the fish research, she does none!)

 

[fluttermoth]

To be fair to your mum, even a 100% water change won't disrupt your cycle, as long as the new water is warmed and dechlorinated.

Are you doing a fish in or fishless cycle? Have you tested the water at all and, if so, what were the actual numbers?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

What toxins? Are you cycling with fish?

 

[mrstwalker]

I agree with your mom. you dont need to clean the filter but i recommend a 100% water change especially since all your fish died. 

 

[goldfish98]

A 100% is not exactly preferred to me. Would 4 25% changes work?

The tank is already cycled. 

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

No. Every time you do a smaller change, you are taking less and less of the toxins out. I would do a 100% change and wash everything except the filter in hot hot water.

 

[mrstwalker]

A 100% water change on a 10 gallon tank shouldnt take too long. if you want your fish to live, I would do the 100% water change. 

 

[goldfish98]

And this would not reset the cycle? 

What about four 50% changes? Changing it all at once worries me... 

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

No. It will not. Like I said, no 4 50 percent water changes, this will not take ALL the toxins out. Dont let it worry you. The tank will be fine.

 

[Ryan10]

Go for the %100 change.  The water is not the important part.  It's your filter media that you need.

 

[fluttermoth]

And this would not reset the cycle? 

What about four 50% changes? Changing it all at once worries me...

It's the stuff inside your filter that is cycled, not the tank or the water.

As long as you make sure the filter media stays damp and doesn't get any raw tap water anywhere near it, you won't affect your cycle.

Do bear in mind though, if you have no fish at all now, you will need to be feeding the filter bacteria with something, or they'll die off.

 

[goldfish98]

Hm, I guess I should do a 100%. What should I be feeding the bacteria? Fish keeping is actually more work than I thought, but its all worth it when you see a bunch of happy fish

 

[fluttermoth]

Household ammonia would be best, but you can put a prawn in there (in some sort of container is best, so it doesn't make too much mess), or even fish food, although that's the worst option of the three.
 
I know parents can be difficult and set in their ways, but you could always mention the forum and try and persuade her to come on and have a look at our advice, if you haven't tried that already

 

[goldfish98]

Hm, all I have is fish food, and a ton of it. My other fish died before I even finished the sample packet that came with the tank. I would imagine that I have to start doing water tests a bit more frequently? 

 

[fluttermoth]

If you can't get household ammonia (and it is fairly easy to get, and not expensive), I would put some of your fish food in an old jug or other container. Test that after three or four days, and then use that ammonia rich (hopefully!) water instead of the household ammonia solution.
 
You're basically doing a 'normal' fishless then.