Water Change?

nokia19689 · May 23, 2009

hi everyone im new to fish keeping and was wondering when a water change is needed and how often and what is the best way to do it.
i have a juwell 180 tank with a few live plants in, that has been running for bot 3 weeks just leaving it to go throught the cycle.
also what sort of fish would be good starters
any responce would be much appreciated

minxfishy · May 23, 2009

When you say you are leaving it to cycle, how do you mean? Have you added a source of ammonia to the tank the cycle it or have you just set it up, turned everything on, added plants and left it to sit?

Welcome to TFF btw

OldMan47 · May 24, 2009

Leaving a tank empty of fish and with nothing added to dose ammonia is a waste of electricity for the filter and heater. The bacteria that need to develop to process ammonia through nitrites all the way to nitrates will not develop without a source of ammonia. We generally advise people to do a fishless cycle using household ammonia as that ammonia source. There is a link to the fishless cycle instructions in my signature area.

Bignose · May 24, 2009

Once your tank is cycled (again -- very specific meaning in fishkeeping -- means the bacteria colony has developed and is stable), to answer your question you will want to start off doing somewhere around 25% a week and monitor from there. You may need more, you may need less. But, 25% a week is a good starting point. You can actually do as large a water change as you want, so long as the temperature, pH, and hardness of the replacement water is the same as the old water. And, so long as you are getting the water from the same source (i.e. all from the same tap), the pH and hardness will be the same, so you just have to make sure the temperature of the new water is the same as the old and go to town. You can do 75-80% if you want.

You fish will always appreciate new water. Several members who keep many tanks have automatic systems to drain out a portion and add new water every day so that their fish get new water constantly. Your fish will be more active and show good colors with new water. It is a key part of the whole trick of keeping your fish happy and healthy.

tenohfive · May 24, 2009

Theres a couple of links in my sig that may be useful to you...as others have said, tanks don't just cycle themselves - click the link marked, 'fishless cycling' unless its what you're already doing.

As others have said, 25% weekly is ideal. For a 180 you've got a few options, but my advice would be to start slow and add one group of fish at a time. Some fish prefer more mature tanks, so do plenty of reading up on anything that catches your eye.

Personally I think a shoal of 6-10 pearl, leopard or glowlight danio's would be a good start - they're pretty hardy and they're an active fish. Or cherry/pentazona/black ruby barbs. After a few months German Blue Rams (GBR's,) honey gourami, corydoras catfish (ugly but the most playful, full of life fish around) are an option. Theres lots of options, as long as you check that different fish are compatible before you add them.

The best bit of advice I can give you right now is this:

Don't rely upon staff at your local fish shop (LFS) for advice. Always check elsewhere before you buy anything, impulse buys are a big no-no.
Don't get me wrong - some staff know their stuff, but theres alot of people who are misinformed so its always best to do your own research about what fish to add. If in doubt stick a post on here, theres usually people who can give you some good advice.