Water Change

[mommyof2bettas]

Um, I just got a new 10 gallon tank. I haven't even started cycling it yet but I was wondering about water changes. I read I have to do a 25% water change every 2 weeks. How do I do a water change without disturbing the fish (when I have them), and wouldn't it destroy the bcteria in my tank?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

the bacteria live in the filter not the water, so long as you keep the filter wet/moist the bacteria will be fine.

you need to get a siphon, this is a clear plastic tube can get them from all fish stores it'll be called a gravel vac. basically you start the siphon going it sucks water out of your tank and into a bucket, you clean the substrate of your tank hoovering up poo and uneaten food with the end in the tank, stop when you've taken 25% of the water out, throw it away (on your garden or house plants if you can, it's really good for them) then fill up the bucket with water from the tap, add dechlorinator then add it back to the tank fairly slowly, don't spend hours over it but don't just throw it in either.

it's dead easy, on a 10g tank when you've got the hang of it, it'll take you about 10 mins tops