ive got a freshwater (coldwater) small fish tank with a little electric filter i change about half the tanks water every 4 days or so but the water goes really ugly and i cant even see the fish from how brown it is ! any advice on how to change that ?
2006-10-11 04:49:57 · 20 answers · asked by Sea Bass 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
you need to clean the tank thoroughly about once a week remove the fish a small bowl.
empty out the water clean and was all stones ornaments filter if you use one with warm water and a toothbrush cloth and some plain old elbow grease,
wash out the tank inside and out with warm water never use any detergents or cleaners all items for cleaning your tank should only be used for the job.
Once you've cleaned all items, stones need to be cleaned thoroughly I use a colander, keep the warm water running over them until the water runs clear turn them over to rinse.
if you don't like the thought of handling the stones etc wear a pair of marigold gloves again only for the job.
If you have a good pump you Will only have to do this kind of cleaning about every two weeks.
Add tap safe and a tonic too keep the fish healthy to the water before you put your fish back in.
I don't clean my tank until it's really grubby as you don't clean out a pond every week do you?
2006-10-11 06:01:44 · answer #1 · answered by AARONLEE AND SASHA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you need a more efficient filtration system for starters, this will help to get rid of more of the toxic waste that the fish produce. It also sounds as if you have too many fish in the tank. When the fish go to the toilet the waste needs to be filtered, or harmful ammonia builds up and the water quickly becomes discoloured and polluted. If your water only takes a few days to do this, then you're way overstocked for the size of tank you have.
Buy a bigger tank with a better filter system before you wake up one morning very soon to find a tankful of dead fish.
2006-10-11 05:37:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should only be changing 1/3rd of the water at a time not half. Also you need to stop overfeeding them, get a quality filter, vacuum the bottom of the tank to keep it clean. Get a good book on how to care for a freshwater aquarium too. If the water is black and smells you're doing something seriously wrong. Your tank should be clear and not smell!
2006-10-11 05:23:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice is to get a bigger filter because goldfish will live longer with a flow to swim against and you won't have to change the water so often. It also depends on how many fish you have got in there because they poo lots. You really don't need to do a water change every 4 days! You should do a water change every 2 weeks instead! You should get a bigger tank aswell at least 3 foot if you have got kois in there aswell. Good luck!
2006-10-11 10:08:01 · answer #4 · answered by laura2804uk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do u have a filter pad at the bottom of ur tank make sure ur electric pump is working
take our a quarter of the water get a tank cleaner which is basically a sponge on a stick to clean the sides u can also get a tube pump thing sorry dotn knwo the name u use it by hand stick it int he water an dit sucks up dirt and there poo use stuff called fish safe and water safe and tank safe u can get them from a pet shop it stops the smell of stagnent water and cleans the water so they do not get ill be carefull because my fish got ulcers and it isnt nice once i done all this stuiff they got better .
DO NOT take out more water this is what makes them ill u take out a qurter of the water and no more
2006-10-11 04:54:09 · answer #5 · answered by bryony_ash83 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to eliminate the problem completely you may need to change the water completely and clean the gravel of the tank or replace it (or whatever you may be using as substrate in the tank) you probably have a problem with algae and until you get rid of every last trace of it you'll continue to have problems, even with a filter the tank needs to be cleaned and the water changed, if you do this and the problem comes back right away you may want to purchase a new filter, also be careful not to overfeed your fish left over food promotes bacteria and algae growth
2006-10-11 04:55:07 · answer #6 · answered by dae_shadow_spirit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the filter. You need a bigger one. Also, how big is your tank? That could be the problem as well. My suggestion is get a bigger tank and water filter. Good luck!
2006-10-11 04:59:05 · answer #7 · answered by mageta8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your filter is working properly - maybe it was out of order! Change water often and make sure you really clean the tank.
2006-10-11 04:57:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could it be that you are feeding them too much? Once I threw accidentally too much food & the water was so brown I could not find the fish to wash the tank!
2006-10-11 05:04:57 · answer #9 · answered by marissa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If u put to much food in it it makes it go gray and black i have 11 fish and there tank goes black after 1 hour coz i over feed them sume things
2006-10-11 04:54:52 · answer #10 · answered by Elisha M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋