zizziz

my rainbow shark turns white as a ghost and swims around in sprints. All I am using is that tube siphoning vacum that you shake up and down to start. Is my little guy going to freak out every time I do a WC? What happens when I have 10 fish in there, are they all going to freak out as well? I never had a tank before and its only the second time I did one but he has freaked on both occasions.

thanks

jdhef

I have the same type of gravel vac, and after using it the first time I thought my fish seemed stressed out. I thought that it might be all that up and down shaking, so I have taken to just sucking on the end of the tube to start the siphon.

The fish still seem to be a little stressed after a water change, but not as much. I'm kinda hoping they will get used to it, and maybe even look forward to some nice clean water.

Lucy

You'll both be happy to see this, it helped me out a great deal:

1-2-3 easy aquarium siphon instructions - video

ew lol

jdhef

I had seen that before, but sadly I can't seem to make it work with my 24" long vacuum tube. (My tank is 21" deep)

eric_m

I have a long vacuum tube as well.. and its the same concept as the video.. I fill the vacuum part half way and let the water down the tube (pluging the end with my thumb) when the tube is full place the vacuum part in an angle so that the water fills it without trapping air.. let go the thumb on the tube and vacuum.. I sometimes get my wife to hold the vacuum part when I release the hose so to make sure it doesnt fall out of the bucket..

jdhef

You've inspired me, I'll have to give it a try once again.

David C

I just learned that trick at the LFS a couple weeks ago, its awesome. I hated shaking that stupid vaccuum like a madman to get it going.. LOL

tanker83

yes indeed it DOES save a lot of effort for you and stress for your fish and once you do it a few times its a cinch and makes WCs a breeeeeeze.

Pandora

I had a rainbow shark for about 8 years... and it did stress out every water change or every time it was messed with no matter how careful I tried to be. Some fish do just seem to be more flighty and nervous than others! But definitely the easier and less stressful your water changes the better!

tanker83

my silver shark hates when i do water changes. he almost jumps out of the tank!