even if i have a brand new filter and a thing that suction all the poop to below the gravel do i need to change the water in my piranha tank if so what can i use so i dont get bit and is 5-10 gallons a week ok?
2007-05-23 13:28:29 · 6 answers · asked by yanihole 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
piranhas, always a good choice. well i personally HATE underground filters, they don't work, all they do is trap the poop, and turn it into a jelly like substance. well piranhas aren't as aggressive as you think, red bellied piranhas are cowards unless you starve them. well you need to do about 30% of the water out by a gravel siphon, a week. then the next week you need to do about 50%. then the next week 30%, then the next week 50%......so on...........
2007-05-23 15:57:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
It is not likely these fish would bite you. But if you are really concerned about it, wear some rubber gloves. The yellow ones for washing dishes are fine.
Water changes of 10% a week are usually plenty. If you have a lot of fish, more often maybe needed. That is 10% of your net water volume. You may have a 30 gallon tank with gravel, decorations etc. So you may only have 25 gallons of water. So a 2 1/2 gallon change would do the job.
The easiest way to figure out how often is to get a good water test kit. Or at least an ammonia kit and nitrate kit. If the ammonia test shows positive, do a water change immediately. Ammonia is deadly and can ramp up very fast in a crowded aquarium.
All the "stuff" in the gravel is not "poop". Some is, but much is beneficial bacteria for your biological filter. A decent balance will keep ammonia and nitrates in check. Proper water changes will pretty much eliminate the needs for adding chemicals to beat the ammonia etc.
When doing a water change be sure the (new water) is very close to the same temperature as the existing tank water. A blast of cold water, even a few degrees colder will cause the ich eggs in your tank to hatch and you will be fighting that. All establish tanks have ich eggs in them, they just need a catalyst to hatch. A sudden chill does the job. A couple degrees warmer won't hurt. But you will need a thermometer to know.
It is a great hobby and not at all difficult if reasonable care is taken on the preventative side.
Ray
2007-05-23 20:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by skating265 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a 10% weekly water change is always a good idea. There are several ways to do this without getting bit. A syphon hose is the best way for you, I think. Check your local fish retailer, they are not expensive
2007-05-23 20:49:19 · answer #3 · answered by Mickie K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you need to do water changes, depending on your size of tank depends on the amount 25 pct at least bi weekly i would suggest more as they're messy eaters,
If you dont trust your fish wear welders gloves but seen as you feed it, it should get used to you being near, as long as its well fed it won't bite.
Honest i tried breeding them about 20years ago and never got bit once, the guy that bought the first big one of me did though haha, in the immortal words of Hagrid, I shouldn't have said that!!
AJ
2007-05-23 20:42:26 · answer #4 · answered by andyjh_uk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No matter what filter you use, you need to do water changes. There's no way around this. About 20% bi-weekly for tropicals.
2007-05-23 20:32:26 · answer #5 · answered by Democrat with 5 Guns 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
water changes are good about 20% every week
2007-05-23 21:25:32 · answer #6 · answered by Adam T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋