Water changes??? URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED?

[AngelMax]

Hi.... I am new to this and want to do everything I can to give my fish the best chances of surviving.

I have been into many, many aquatic shops and they all tell me different things about setting up and water changes.

I DID NOT do a fishless cycle, but left my tank running 7 days, got it tested and the levels were spot on apart from slightly high PH.
I have just put 6 platy's in the tank and they have been in 2 days and have settled in nicely.

WHEN should I do my first water change.... etc (1 person said the following week by 25%, another said after 2 weeks & another lady said to leave it 1 month!)


I have read all the beginners stickys. but still confused

 

[dolly_daydream]

Hi.... I am new to this and want to do everything I can to give my fish the best chances of surviving.

I have been into many, many aquatic shops and they all tell me different things about setting up and water changes.

I DID NOT do a fishless cycle, but left my tank running 7 days, got it tested and the levels were spot on apart from slightly high PH.
I have just put 6 platy's in the tank and they have been in 2 days and have settled in nicely.

WHEN should I do my first water change.... etc (1 person said the following week by 25%, another said after 2 weeks & another lady said to leave it 1 month!)


I have read all the beginners stickys. but still confused

hi
you said you didn,t do a fishless cycle but left your tank running for a week and you had your water tested and it was spot on,it would be as there was no fish in there to produce waste,ie ammonia,to do a fishless cycle you have to add ammonia until the tank fully cycles,,to do a fish cycle you have to have fish in there to create the ammonia either way your tank as had no ammonia source so expect your ammonia to rise then the nitrites,all the while doing PLENTY of water changes or you will lose your fish to ammonia poisoning.hope this helps.i dont mean to sound stern its just that it sounds like you need it explaining to you,we was all beginers once

 

[BettaMomma]

You're on the right track coming in here.
Your fish might go thru some turmoil, but if you keep on top of it, it won't be too bad.

When you said you had your water tested, did you take it somewhere or do you have your own test kit? If you don't have your own test kits, you'll want to get one. I particularly like the Master Test Kit from Mardel - it's in a pink, blue and white box. You'll want to start testing your water daily. Here is the process that a tank goes thorugh during cycling, just so you completely understand what's happening and why your fish will be acting the way they are:

Fish produce waste, which ends up giving off ammonia. The ammonia is broken down into nitrites by bacteria which develop in your tank over time. At first, there will be an abundance of ammonia - coming from the fish and food waste - which needs to be broken down. Once the bacteria starts to break down the ammonia, it turns the ammonia into nitrites, which will in turn then spike. A balance needs to be created between the two, and eventually through water changes and over time, the bacteria will be at a level that is almost perfect to keep the ammonia under control.

So... as you test your water (I am currently cyclying 2 tanks with fish in them and I test the water daily) you will see that at first, the ammonia will begin to spike. When you see spikes, you should also notice a change in your fish's behavior. They'll possibly be pale, breathing a bit heavier and in severe cases, their fins and/or scales will literally melt away. BUT.. like i said, that's in severe cases when no action is taken to try to stabilize the ammonia levels. When you see any spikes in the level of ammonia, do a 25% water change - let the water settle back down a while, and test again to make sure it's gone back to a safe level. Eventually you will see a spike start in nitrites. You really really need to keep a close eye on them during this period. If you see any of the signs of stress, test the water - even if you've already tested it that day and it came out okay. Do a 25% water change, let the water settle down a bit and test again. I haven't ever had to do more than 25% changes as I was cycling. Also, don't vacuum your gravel at all for the first couple of weeks. This will allow the bacteria to start to build up in there.

In the cycling process, I haven't ever had to do more than 25% changes at any time and it's going beautifully. One other thing that helps immensely is live plants with some fluorescent lighting. Do make SURE that you have flurorescent bulbs put into your tank hood, though, or your plants will start to die off and decay, adding to the problem. One of the best plants for helping with ammonia is moneywort. they sell it at most lfs and all over at PetSmart.

Good luck with your cycling - please feel free to PM me if you have any panick moments or have more questions.

 

[rdd1952]

As for the frequency of water changes, once the tank is cycled, it really depends on the type and quantity of fish you stock. Goldfish (cold water, do not put in same tank with tropicals, also need large tank), plecos (need big tank), and oscars ( need big tank) are huge waste producers so you would definitely have to do more frequent water changes. Tropicals such as tetras, barbs, etc aren't terribley big waste producers so you maybe could go a month between water changes but that would be pushing it unless you were under stocked. The general rule of stocking is 1" of GROWN fish (yes this is their full grown length, not their current length) for every gallon of water. For the fish fish, it is more like 1" per 2 gallons. I have a 29 gallon with tetras and corys and a 75 gallon with tetras, corys and siamese algae eaters and I do 25% water changes weekly.
Since your tank hasn't cycled, you will probably have to do daily water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels at an acceptible level. You will definitely start getting readings for both after the fish have been added and start eating and producing waste.

 

[AngelMax]

OMG

I'm starting to wonder if this was a good move.... If I kill any fish I will feel soooo bl@@dy guilty.

It's all far more complicated than I was told.

Thanks All for your help

 

[keane]

OMG

I'm starting to wonder if this was a good move.... If I kill any fish I will feel soooo bl@@dy guilty.

It's all far more complicated than I was told.

Thanks All for your help

Don't give up!!

It may all sound like gobbledy-gook right now but take your time and take in everyone's advice and suggestions and you will be A-okay. I promise.

We have nearly all been in the same position as you. I have already told you about my first encounter with cycling !

This is EXACTLY what this forum is all about...to help each other out. No matter what the problem is, with the amount of knowledge and experience on here, you will get your questions answered and almost all your problems sorted.

You will soon know more than you think and will be browsing this forum helping to answer other newbies' questions.

I guarantee it .

steve

 

[rdd1952]

If I kill any fish I will feel soooo bl@@dy guilty.

Don't beat yourself up too much. None of us ever wants to lose a fish but I dare say there isn't a member of this forum that hasn't lost a fish due to something we've done wrong. I am definitely guilty. I had no clue how much there was to know until I found this forum and started asking questions.
Just check the water daily and do 25 % water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite in check until they cycle. Don't add any more fish until those levels are at zero for at least a week. After that, only add 3 or 4 fish at a time and then wait till the levels stay at zero for a week again. For most community fish, the 1" per gallon rule works pretty well as a stocking guide.

 

[guppymonkey]

The quantity and frequency of water changes can be very very confusing especially if you are just getting started in the hobby. Everyone is willing to give advice and everyone who has had a tank for more than a month thinks that they are THE authority on fish keeping.

You can do as many water changes and often as you want and it will not hurt your fish. Some people think that too many water changes stress the fish but if the temperature of the water is the same or close to the same then the fish will not be hurt. Its basically like giving them a bath. I usually do water changes once a week, but every two weeks is probably the average for most fish keepers. Some books advise once a month but I have found personally that it doesn't work well. After a couple weeks the water starts to get low from evaporation and if you just fill it up again then the water quality is going to suffer. You are better off changing some of the water then just adding to the tank to put off the little bit of work that water changes are.