my aquarium water is kind of dirty, ive had it for 6 years, but i only started using it again like a week and a half ago. i heard i was supposed to do a 20% water change, how do i do this?
2006-08-01 12:44:46 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Is it dirty because you have a lot of fish in it? If it is just cloudy, that is a normal phase of the nitrogen cycle when a new tank is set up.
To do a water change, you need a hose about 6 feet long and a bucket that has never had any kind of soap or cleaning fluid of any kind in it (preferably brand new). Never use it for anything other than water changes! Use the hose to siphon one fourth of the water into the bucket and dump it in the sink or toilet. Then fill the bucket with fresh water (use De-Chlor) and make sure it is the same temp as the aquarium. Then dip it back into the tank with a cup or small bowl. Don't pour it in because it will stir up all the stuff in the gravel.
2006-08-01 12:55:09 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have never done a water change in 6 years. No wonder the waters dirty. You should be doing a water change about every month or 6 weeks. Depending on how many fish and what kind of tank, it can be stretched. A water change is taking out about 1/5th of the water in the tank and exchanging it with new clean water. Make sure you don't use "City" water. This has chlorine and floride in it, and fish don't like it. If you live in the city, draw enough water into buckets etc, and let it set out over night. The chemicals in the water evaporate, and then put it in the tank. Obviously if it's not a salt water tank, if you haven't done this in 6 years. Good Luck.
2006-08-01 13:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by homelessgal2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You get a siphon cleaner for around $10, and siphon the muck out of the gravel, until about 20% of the water is out of the tank. Then you add water back in. Make sure along with that siphon you buy and use a water conditioner. Some fish are very sensitve to the chlorine in tap water.
-Dio
2006-08-01 12:49:40 · answer #3 · answered by diogenese19348 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just take a small bucket and take out some water, and then put that same amount of new water in again, if u want to do it the easy way.
2006-08-01 12:54:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Siphon out about a fifth of the tank and then replace it with fresh water. Add your dechlor tablets or liquid and you're all set.
2006-08-01 12:48:55 · answer #5 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋