please help!
2007-12-15 13:27:23 · 9 answers · asked by the best there ever was 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Perhaps a little more info from you is in order - such as how much and how often you change the water, the size of the tank, and the types, sizes, and number of fish you keep. You can add this to your question by using the pencil icon to "add details".
Also, what kind of "drops" are you using? There are water conditioners that remove the chemicals that your water company adds (provided you're using a public water supply rather than well or spring water), and others that don't - they only promote slime coat development on the fish. And some conditioners treat only chlorine, and your water company might use chloramine - this lasts longer, so it doesn't go away just by letting the water sit a few days. If you have chloramine, and your conditioner only removes chlorine or "breaks the chloramine bond" you could be releasing ammonia and chlorine (the components of chloramine) into your tank.
Small frequent water changes (25% weekly) is better for your fish than few, large ones - it's less of a chemical change for the fish to adapt to, and actually less work for you - since the debris has less of a chance to build up, there's less scrubbing and less to vacuum. You should also make the water as close in temperature to the water already in the tank as possible.
If you're using a sponge or anything similar to clean the tank, make sure it's a type made for aquarium use - what you buy in most stores has detergents and chemicals to prevent them from breaking down from bacteria.
2007-12-15 14:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should never change more than 1/2 of the tank at any one time. Less is better. If you take out to much of the tank water you are also removing the good bacteria and enzyems that help to keep your tank balanced. You should also make sure that the water you are putting back into the tank is not to hot nor to cold. You need to try and get the temp as close to the temp in your tank.
If you make sure you have the proper size filter for your tank, change it regularly, have some bottom feeding fish and make sure not to over feed then you should not need to worry about cleaning your tank or changing the water very often. Again, less is better. I only clean my tank every few months or so. My amonia levels are low and ph balance is fine. I change my filter when it gets really dirty (in a pinch you can just rinse it off). In between cleanings I just add water to the tank when it gets low. A good healthy tank should not require a lot of work just some general maintenance.
Good Luck!
2007-12-15 13:45:41 · answer #2 · answered by Cynthia N 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's an aquarium you shouldn't be changing all the water. Only about 10% a week. You need the old water to keep the bacteria growing.
If you are keeping fish in a bowl then get an aquarium. You'll never keep healthy fish that way and it's cruel to the fish.
2007-12-15 13:33:18 · answer #3 · answered by Mokey41 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When you change water you only change, at most, 50% of the water in the tank. You should change your water once a week. You do need to treat the water with tap water conditioner before introducing to the tank. DO NOT remove the fish for a water change.
2007-12-15 13:33:26 · answer #4 · answered by vikingfootball32 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
when you change the water completely, you put your fish in uncomfortable situation for a while, besides the nitrogen cycle will start new. sudden changes in any form is always shocking to fish. get a filter and do partial changes only, and make sure the water you use is convinient, i.e not directly from the tap.
2007-12-15 23:02:14 · answer #5 · answered by fish 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you clean the tank then probably a lot of dirt and stuff comes up from under the rocks. If you only leave about half of it full then all of this dirt and stuff starts to get into the fishes gills causing stress. The next time you clean your tank only take out 1/4 of the water, if not less.
2007-12-15 13:35:11 · answer #6 · answered by micheal m 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should only change part of the water.
2007-12-15 13:35:22 · answer #7 · answered by just me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell me what you do when you change your water. Then maybe I can tell you what your doing wrong. Remember never to completely remove all water
2007-12-16 00:21:33 · answer #8 · answered by SHC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should leave a little of the old water when you change it because it has bacteria or something that they need.
2007-12-15 13:31:00 · answer #9 · answered by yesma'am 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋