Too clean of a tank?

Question

I've got 2 ten gallon tanks... I do weekly water changes, using a siphon to take water out, use conditioner, I don't think I overfeed... I treat both tanks the same, and both have different fish. But both tanks have cory's, 3 in each. I test my water every Tuesday, and change it every Wednesday. I haven't had an algae problem, I can't see ANY algae. All my fish seem happy, and I've even got guppy fry swimming in my guppy tank. None have been eaten yet, and they're probably 3 weeks old. Can a tank be too clean?

Oh yea... When I do weekly changes, They are about 30-40%

Answer 1

Actually, yes, a tank CAN be too clean. If you clean it too frequently or take out too much water or scrub the gravel and ornaments, etc. too much, you are removing the beneficial bacteria colonies that grow in the tank and keep the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates down to non-toxic levels.

Also, removing and replacing too much water at a time changes the PH levels and chemical composition of your water too drastically and can stress your fish, compromising their immune system and leaving them more prone to illness and bacterial infection.

You don't sound like you are doing anything too drastic, although you could probably cut back on the water changes. 30-40% a week is more than you need. A 10-20% weekly water change should be plenty. Try not to clean any more than the top 1/4 inch of the gravel and make sure you leave a LITTLE bit of excess food debris in there for the cories. :D

Answer 2

In the movie "Bulletproof Monk" there's a line "Water that is too pure, has no fish.".

Yes a tank can be too clean. As others have already mentioned, the tank may not have the necessary bacteria to remove ammonia and nitrite which are toxic to your fish.

But depending on your definition of "clean" it can be too "pure" for fish to live in as well. If you use distilled water, all the trace elements (calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorous, etc.) that are found in your tap water have been removed. These elements are used by the fish for bones, cell structures, and metabolic processes. They're necessary for the bacteria as well. If the fish don't get enough of these from the diet, they must have them available in the water, and bacteria extract them from the water. So if these aren't present because the water's too pure, you won't be able to keep fish alive either.

In your case, it just sounds like you're doing a great job with your tank maintenance. Keep up the good work!

Answer 3

Thats sounds good to me the algae problem is mainly caused by the tank light and sunlight. But is also a good sign of a proper cycled tank.

Yes there is a thing of a tank being too clean when you remove all of the water with the good bacteria in it and it causes ammonia spikes which can easily kill the fish in the tank. Thats why they only said change 25% to 50% of the water.

Thats good then the 30% to 40% water change will help your fish alot.

Either that i give you thumbs up
WT

Answer 4

It sure sounds like you've become a guppy expert.
The fact that you've gotten them to spawn is a real compliment to your knowledge and labor.
Keep up the good work !
I think you deserve to get a larger tank.
Promote the guppies to a 20gal wide and keep the 10 gal
as a hospital tank just in case.

Answer 5

Sounds like you are doing a great job to me. A tank can not be too clean. Filters can be too clean because biological filters contain beneficial bacteria so you don't want to overly disturb them and only want to clean about 1/3 of these at a time though a tank can't be too clean. You can change the water 95% twice a day if you want. Obviously make sure it's similar water, correct temperature and clorine removed.

Answer 6

I wouldn't be so clean the Corys need something to eat. its okay to let the tank age. But sounds like your doing a good job.

Answer 7

no fish tank is too clean, but some algae is good for fish

Answer 8

No. Its great that you care about your fish enough to do all that work.