Is it ok to change the goldfish tank water completely?

Question

Or do I need to only do 1/2 or so at a time?

I can't seem to keep the thing relatively clean all of a sudden. We have a 10 gallon tank, 2 adult gold fish (not huge) and 3 smaller ones. We have a filter system going and a small amount of rocks on the bottom, and we have an algae problem. I have changed the water - 2 days ago- about 1/2 of the water - to almost 3/4's, changed the charcoal filter, wiped the sides of the glass with a scaper and added the stop algae stuff. The darn thing looked just as bad when I was done as it did when I started. Bright green. I feel bad for the fish, but don't know if I should take the fish out, put them in another bowl for a little bit and completely clean out the tank and change the rocks???

I need advice so the kids can see the fish again!

Answer 1

Your tank is way over stocked so you will never be able to keep the tank clean. The rule of thumb to keep goldfish is 10 gallons minimum each for fancy and 15-20 gallons each for single tails.

Since its so over stocked and probably under filtered, you should do a water change of at least 50% everyday until you get them a bigger home. As long as you dont rinse the filter cartridges off in chlorinated water you should be fine doing a little more and not harm your beneficial bacteria which keeps the water safe.

Is your tank near a window? Green water isn't really bad for fish, its just free floating algae and people actually have green water tanks for their fish cause its good for them. There are a few down sides though, you cant see your fish good and at night the algae uses the oxygen in the water so your fish my not have enough.

If you want to learn more about keeping goldfish check out this site, http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/ . Its great and you will learn everything you need to keep them healthy and happy.

Answer 2

Ten gallon aquariums are the hardest to keep nice. You don't mention how long you have this tank set up this is important.

Aquariums go through a cycling process. During the "break in" process, nitritifying bacteria colonies are growing in your gravel bed. This is a good thing as these bacteria breaki down ammonia (toxic) and nitrites (toxic) to nitrate (harmless).

Allgae is cased by 2 problems, too much sunlight & a build up of organics (nitrites and nitrates). Is your fish tank getting sun through a window? If so, closing your blinds will help.

My advice is to place your fish in a bowl with their tank water. Install an undergravel filter in your tank. Please don't change your gravel as whatever good bacteria you have is living on it.
Remove excess algae from the glass. Refill your tank with half old water and half new water. Never change more than 1/2 your water at once as you stress your fish and can kill them.

Rule of thumb on fish tanks is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. Don't over crowd your tank. It seems that you have loaded your tank with goldfish and you need some bottom feeders and algae eaters. They will help you keep your tank clean.

Don't feel bad for your fish, algae doesn't bother them. It actually helps to clean your water by using the excess organics. You might also want to add water plants that will do the same thing but look more attractive to you.

A well balanced fish tank should only need a half water change once a month to maintain proper nitrate levels. A good fish tank is a mini-ecosystem. Good Luck!

Answer 3

If you have such a bad algae problem? Put the goldfish in a plastic bag of the water they are in now. Clean the tank and all accessories, allow the fish to adjust to the water temperature and then scoop them out of the old water and let them go in the new water. Don't pour the old water back in the fresh tank. You can also get an Algae eater or some snails. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Part of the answer is the type of goldfish you've got. If they're fancy goldfish, all the experts recommend 10 gallons per fish. I've got 2 adults and 2 babies in mine though, and the cycle is still stable. Another part of the answer is the amount and type of light you're using. Less than ten hours a day of light from the hood. Ambient light from the room is fine. not sure about direct sun from a window. Algae is a plant. The more light, the easier it is for it to survive. My fish get about 4-5 hours a day in the morning and afternoon. I'll talk more with you if you want.

Answer 5

You can place the fishes in a simillar temp. of water in another bowl or something, wash the tank completely let it dry and place everything inside and fill it with water again, your fishes should be fine after getting into the tank, but the most important thing is not to frighten them and do things in a sudden and the temprature of the water should be quite the same. Algae problem is caused whatever you do, it's a matter of time, you can get snails and put them in tank to do the cleaning for you too!

Answer 6

Yes you can,but be sure to keep the gold fish in the same water,say in a bowl until you have cleaned the tank and then allow the fish to be in a baggie for a wile in the new water ,much like you did when you first got the fish.

Answer 7

There is a fish that you can get that eats algae and goldfish usually won't kill it. I can't remember the name but it's those fish that stick to the side of the glass, real ugly, but they can keep the algae down.

Answer 8

Never, complete changes throw parameters out of wack and will kill of a great deal of beneficial bacteria. For the algae, do a three day black out, no lights, completely cover the tank up, replace carbon, no feeding and wait. Afterwards, reduce light and feeding. This will work as I did it and green water dissapeared

Answer 9

u got a big one there...u can change it once a month but make sure u clean dem all even the small stones and after cleanning make sure u cover it and change ur fish food sometyms those un eaten fishfoods generate algae

Answer 10

I always have, but i would make sure you have the dechlorinator to take the chlorine out of the water and some stress medicine. Using this stuff i never killed my fish, but without doing this my goldfish always died.