Water Changes... When And Why?

[Matty P]

Well I use an R/O unit

 

[rdd1952]

Also, I have never added de-chlorinator to my tap water. What I do is fill a couple of large buckets with water a day or two before the water change. Then I toss in a few air-stones attached to a pump to get the water agitated. This will naturally get the chlorine out of the water. I have a certain loathing for exposing my fish to chemicals unless it's absolutely necessary.

While I agree 100% about using chemicals, that process only works for chlorine. It does not work if your water company adds chloramine as many do. It can not be removed by letting the water stand (chlorine will disipate in about 24 hours without the aeration) or aeration. You must add a dechlorinator that can break the chloramine bond.

 

[shelaghfishface]

well im happy to add it until i learn more about the chemical adjustments needed and how to do them succsesfuly,and im sure that wont be too long taking advice from you guys,
have just had a 88liter tank delivered,so will be using all the advice you have given me on this one, i have just bought a master test kit off ebay so i will carry out all the tests properly and do a fishless cycle with this one, tho its a second hand filter,so have just rinsed it out ,mind it was dry as a bone when i got it so maybe all the bacteria dead now?
anyway im not going to rush into this one as i really want to focus on getting my large tank stable first, as its staring to go really well (thanks to you lot!)
as the testing strips i got are as much use as a choclate fireguard, i will carry on doing daily 20-30% water changes until i get the testing kit and then see where i go from there..
ANY ADVICE IS WARMLEY RECIEVED

 

[shelaghfishface]

WITH REF TO BETTA SHOWING SIGNS OF STRESS OR NOT
i was looking at a listing of a betta that some guy was selling on ebay and he was requesting that the new owner kept a small dish of smooth glass stones in the tank as thats where the fish liked to rest/settle.
is it not possible that thats what mine is doing, just choosing a fave place for himself,and if as you say it is stress, how do i de-stress him?

whats an R/O UNIT, IS IT LIKE A HEATER ON TRICKLE?

 

[shelaghfishface]

but then having said that there is a lot of movemnt in my tank
the filter(sparaying into tank)
3 stands from undergravel filter was 4 but i took 1 out cos it seemed too much
2 large airstones
where he sits is a quiet place with not much swishing etc, so i think you are right after all, but he does go into the moving water.

CAN ANYONE RECOMEND SOME GOOD BOOKS ON FISH AND AQUARIUMS-MAINTANENCE/SETUP. GENERAL INTEREST, RECENT ONES

 

[rdd1952]

The best place to find fish info is on the internet. Unfortunately, too many fish books are old and out-dated. Fishless cycling for instance just started in the 90s so you are hard pressed to find any book of tropical fish and aquariums that even mentions it.

What I meant about the betta may not have been clear. I didn't mean that he was definitely stressed but just that hiding is a sign of stress. Bettas do like to lay on things and get in the weeds. As long as he comes out at times and eats, he is probably fine. They have such different "personalities". One may love a lot of flow in the tank and another has problems with it. Just keep an eye on him and possibly be prepared to get him a small tank (I would recommend at least a gallon with a filter and heater) of his own if you begin to see signs of problems.

 

[shelaghfishface]

i have no idea how to add photos on here so i tried to build a webpage with some of my pics on (of tanks not me!!) heres how i think anyone who wants a look should be able to look at it, go to this page
www.freewebs.com/shelaghrashid then click on fish tanks at the top of the page, i have never attempted anything like this before so if it wont work i will get my son to have a go tonight

 

[Matty P]

Here is how to upload pics to the forum.

 

[shelaghfishface]

i tried the photo thing, have been at for ages, im good on the computer but will keep trying
<<<<<<<<<<< there should be one over there now, a small of my large tank

lol i give up

 

[rdd1952]

To add a photo for your avatar, go to My Controls and click on the left where is says "Edit Avatar". You can then add the URL for an online photo or even upload one directly from your computer.

To add photos to a post, upload your photos to a hosting site like Photobucket and upload your photos. Then copy the URL, click the

button above and paste the URL in.

 

[shelaghfishface]

can anyone plz tell me what would be ideal to put in this other tank i have when its ready
its
88 LITRES
L=30"
B=12"
H=15"
only asking as i dont want anything incompatible like i did with my other tank,
so i want the perfct stock limit and varietys ( is that what you call diffrent fish??)
i did get it to put the fighting fish on his own, but its too big he would be rattling about in there on his own,so have got him a smaller one,no where near ready for him yet tho, but hes happy where he is for now, and no fighting going on and nothing going missing
thanks in advance

 

[shelaghfishface]

does white spot spread through the air??
i had 3 goldfish in a bowl and yesterday i noticed one of them had whitespot on his head, my dad came over for a visit, i just mentioned it and when i came back from town the fish were gone!! and he said better to be safe than sorry as it may carry through the air
i have to say im gutted cos they were so nice and recognised me and use to swim to the top when i went near them
if this is true what he has said i may.. just may forgive him. if not ... well hes off my christmas card list for sure!!

 

[backtotropical]

No, whitespot doesn't spread through the air. It's a parasite and doesn't have wings. Shame on your dad.

 

[shelaghfishface]

have got my AMMONIA test today, i did it on the big tank and there is a level of 0
i did it on the small tank tho and the level is 0.5mg/l... this tank has been set up just a week, and i have 4 neons in there, i did a 20% water change yesterday as thats when i put the fish in,
what should i do about the levels another change and test??