Water Changes

[Illest_Soulja]

Not sure if this is where i ask but i was just wondering bout something. When i usually do weekly water changes i take out all my fish's and put them in my spare tank while i siphon the water out. and when i put in new water i add the umm chem thing to make the water safe and what not then i add the fish back in. the reason why i do it like this is cause my siphon sucks out water and it adds water then i need it to directly from the sink. im just wondering if its safe to siphon the water out and then add the new water right away with the fish in the tank and use the chemical thing to make the water safe for them. i just dont want any of my fishs dead or anything so yea if you can help me with this id like that, would make my weekly water changes easier =P

 

[Tommy Gun]

Hey Illest_Soulja!

In all of my tanks, I do exactly as you explain as far as keeping the fish in the tank, remove some water while vacuuming and whatnot, add some of the dechlor conditioner, and then add water directly from my tap. Never had anything bad happen from doing this and in fact, know a TON of people who also do it. That dechlorination chemical will neutralize the chlorine and/or chloramines instantly, or as least fast enough. I have never lost a fish from doing this. In fact, taking your fish out of the tank each time is probably much more detrimental to their health than any amount of time between when the chemicals can affect the chlorine.

 

[Rooster]

NOBODY should take the fish out ! It causes lots of stress... theres no need to, just do a 25-30% water change each week, fish IN !

 

[Tommy Gun]

just do a 25-30% water change each week

This can vary though...use your water test results to tell you how much and how often to do water changes....you may need more and you may need less.

 

[Illest_Soulja]

ahh ok cause yeah i always get pissy when i take them out and what not ok yea i wont do that anymore haha thanks =) this should make my water changes easier

 

[Squidman]

All you should do is do a 20 to 30% water change weekly and leave the fish in but be careful not to harm the fish!

 

[Tommy Gun]

All you should do is do a 20 to 30% water change weekly

Again, this is not always the case - there are many exceptions that can create the need for larger, more frequent water changes (e.g. overstocked, overfeeding, high phosphate levels (in non planted tanks anyways), the tank is cycling still....etc). The reason I bring this up is because of the above reasons, but also because suggesting these 'blind' water changes can lessen the importance of water testing and monitoring - which would show you what needs to be done.

Don't mean to be pest by repeating myself here and apologize if that is what I am.