gazz2005uk

I'm planning on giving my 10g tank a water change for the first time tomorrow, I just want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. Should I feed the fish before changing? If so, how soon after the feeding can I change the water?
Also, I have read somewhere you should use a bucket to do the change but all the buckets I have in the house are really dirty so I am going to use a few jugs instead. Should I poor all the water in in one go? And how long should I leave the dechlorinator stuff in the new water before adding it to the tank?

eiginh

I would clean it after b/c of all the extra food that's left. It doesn't really matter what you use to change the water with. As long as the container you are using is clean and doesn't have any chemical residue to contaminate the water you are putting back in the tank. Make sure you do not go overboard with your w/c as it may kill your beneficial bacteria. Are you using a water conditioner as well?

It says on your tank info you started your tank at 11-09-09 do you mean September 11?

Lucy

I don't pay much attention to the timing between feedings and doing water changes.
I guess I'd wait an hour or so after feeding, but I'm not that energetic to do early morning water changes. lol

You should have a clean never seen soap bucket or container to do your water changes. I have one for dirty water and one for new water. Do you have a gravel vacuum? You'll need one to get out the left over food and fish waste.

Dechlorinators usually work immediately. Pour the new water into the tank slowly. You don't want to toss the fish around, stir up gunk that might be left on the bottom or displace gravel/decorations. Be sure the new water is close to the same temp as the tank water.

Good luck, you'll do fine.

gazz2005uk

yes ive got some water conditioner, should I leave it to settle in the jug before adding it to the tank or just pour it in?
I'll be honest, I've had the tank for about 3 weeks now and didn't realise you had to change the water at least once a week lol, so I'm planning on doing a good job of it.
Noob mistake

gazz2005uk

I havent got a gravel vaccum, like I said, I didnt know you needed all this stuff when I first got the tank lol. I havent got the money to buy one at the moment anyway. Can you get ones small enough to fit in a 10g tank?

Lucy

I use small ones for the 10 and 5g's. I got it at walmart.
Similar to this:
Gravel Vacuum
Small ones are pretty cheap.

gazz2005uk

ok thanks ..My payday on friday so I think I'll invest in one.
You've been very helpful to me the past few days. Thank you

Lucy

Your welcome. The members here are always happy to help.

eiginh

10g isn't much but if you want to do easy w/cs without carrying buckets of water around. You can save up for a python gravel vac, it's about 30 bucks online. In case you want to invest into a bigger tank the python would really help a lot! I'm not sure if you bought one yet but in case you come into fishy trouble later, purchase a test kit so you'll know your water parameters right away. Buy the liquid test kits b/c reading from diff. forums including this one that test strips may give in accurate readings. API master test kit can be bought for less than 20 bucks on amazon w/ free shipping.