Cleaning a 10 gallon

ok...I am getting some really mixed advice, but seem to trust you all more than my local aquarium store. I think they are giving me really bad advice, just to make me buy more when something goes wrong. They keep telling me I only need to change water every 3-4 weeks about 50%water change, but everyone here says...no way. 10-15% water change weekly will help with my pH. My pH has been very high and the store has told me to buy this pH down drops (which I haven't done yet) all my other reading have been on the mark. Do you know when I should change the filter (is that monthly). I am new to this and have only had the tank up and running since the end of December so any advice would be great. I just want someone to give me some advice that doesn't require buying loads more of chemicals that seems unecessary and possibly harmful to the fish. Thanks for listening and the help... :-\

 

for a water change the big 50% is what I would do but its just personal preference

 

P.S. don't get the drops its better to have a stable Ph than a constantly changing one

 

If your tank is cycled (sorry, I can't remember), you can do water changes weekly.  That is my routine.  I change about 50% out and vacuum about half the gravel each week.  If your tank isn't cycled, don't worry about the water changes until it is cycled, and it is necessary for the health and life of your fish.

Don't adjust the ph with chemicals if possible.  Most fish will adapt just fine to your ph as long as you acclimate them slowly to the tank.  My ph is 7.6 out of the tap, and all my fish from angels to loaches to african cichlids are all doing fine.  You may want to check your ph level straight out of the tap and compare it to your tank reading.  You can also set a bowl of water from your tap out overnight and see if it goes up or down after coming out of your tap when you check it the next day.  If there is more than a .2 difference in ph, you may need to "age" your water before adding it to your tank so your fish won't get shocked with each water change.  Aging consists of putting your water into a bucket or barrel with an airstone or powerhead to circulate the water.  Also put a heater in this container and let it sit overnight with the airation.  This will allow it to "gas out" before putting it in your tank.  

Don't change the filter until it gets clogged and your water flow is affected.  If you have a hang on back (HOB) filter, simply get a cheap plastic pitcher from WalMart (88 cents) and put some tank water in it.  Then simply swish the filter media in the tank water to rinse off the gunk and put it back in place.  Mine usually last about 6 months.    

 

thank you so much....I trust your word, honestly. It seems like most of the people working at the store are teenagers just looking for a job and they have all given me different advice. I didn't like the pH drops because it seems like all this time my fish have been fine.

Don't change the filter until it gets clogged and your water flow is affected. If you have a hang on back (HOB) filter, simply get a cheap plastic pitcher from WalMart (88 cents) and put some tank water in it. Then simply swish the filter media in the tank water to rinse off the gunk and put it back in place. Mine usually last about 6 months.

I did change the filter once already > due to the advice of the aquarium store, it was pretty nasty but didn't know about the pitcher option then. Are these in the aquarium area at Walmart? This should help tremendously!!!

Thanks again for all your help! I really appreciate it! ;D

 

The pitchers are regular water pitchers you can get anywhere. I just haven't seen them cheaper than 88 cents. I also like using pitchers because they have handles so you can hang them on the side of the tank you are working on, and you can use them for pouring water into your tank to top it off and also to help prime a HOB filter. My cheap pitcher is a necessity on weekly maintenance!

 

excellent Gunnie...here I thought it was some aquarium lingo for a special doohicky for the aquarium...I actually have one of those cheap pitchers right here in the house that I don't use, but will be now! Great idea and won't have to track to walmart! Thanks again! Doing a water change today ;D

 

I use my pitchers for beer.....

 

...hopefully you clean them out first or the fish are really happy! just kidding ;D

 

I use my pitchers for beer.....

That is a good use for them also!

 

do you need to have a vacuume? how often do you change the media filter or do you just clean it when it is clogged? do you do water changes during the nitrogen cycle?

 

During the Cycle I would not change water if using pure ammonia if you are using fish I would recommend doing a 30% to 50% water change every day and adding some:

NUTRAFIN cycle- this adds beneficial bactiria to your tank,

SEACHEM Prime- this will remove the harmful ammonia affect from your tank for about 24 hours, and help with the water changes.

When you do water changes I would use a vacumn after you tank has been cycled fully. With 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and <20 nitrates for a week, for bacteria will grow in your gravel.

Then your filter that contains the ac I would change ever 3 WEEKS or sooner, and never change your bio-media that houses your bebeficial bacteria you need to keep your tank established.

 

Also while cycling with out fish raise your temp to around 85 to 90 degrees as this will cause the bacteria to multiply faster.

 

what do I do if I'm adding fish food as waste that will create amonia? do I do water changes then

 

the food will create ammomia, and
no. the water changes are to keep the fish alive.

 

Good morning,

I was just looking over your Aquarium Profile information.

You have the ammonia listed at 6.0. That is a bit high. I wouldn't go over 4.0 while you're cycling. If the ammonia is too high the beneficial bacteria may take a very long time, if at all, to process it.

Normally water changes are not recommended during cycing. However, in this case, you may want to do a 25% water change to bring that level down to 4.0.

Too, paper test strips can be inaccurate and difficult to read. What is most recommended is the API (liquid) Master Test Kit in the link below. Some folks have found this same kit at Walmart:



It has been mentioned that the product Cycle may not contain the necessary bacteria needed to sustain the cycle without using it for the life of the tank.

If you want to use a bacterial additive I would recommend Tetra Safe Start (TSS). Some members have had good success with it, but some have not.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/

Filter media:
I only rinse my filter media in siphoned tank water and never tap water. You should not have to worry about this while you're cycling unless you see a reduced flow from the filter.
After the tank is cycled, I would change the Activated Carbon every 3 to 4 weeks. After this period it looses it effectiveness.

Hold on for more responses.

Ken

 

Agreed with Ken!!

No Nutrafin Cycle, it crashed my tank when I stopped using it (back before I found FishLore), that was NOT a fun time for me!

TSS works if you add it with fish. Also I never change my filter media uness it is falling apart (never so far). Carbon, every 3-4 weeks, but not the spongey parts.

Cycling without fish is much kinder, but keep a close eye on your water parameters, these have to be monitored so you know where you are and what you need to do to keep the cycle going along nicely.

 

so I should do a 25% water change, stop adding amonia, and keep my filter media in. do I add ammonia when my nitrite spikes so it can keep feeding because I read that somwher?

 

Good morning,

The link below should help you with cycling with ammonia:


Ken

 

So can I use my siphon to clean my 10 gallon because I just gpot it and my tank has been has been cycling for 2-3 weeks now so will it be ok?

 

Yes. I find it best to not stir the water first and vacuum the bottom where most of the debris has settled.

 

Is the tank fully cycled? If not I wouldn't touch it at all, let it cycle completely and then right before you add fish do a large water change.

If it is cycled(or has tenants), I suggest a siphon with a hand pump, so much easier

 

Its is cycled I think.

 

Are you doing a fish-in cycle or fishless?
What are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings?

 

I'm pretty sure it is cycled I am doing a fish in cycle and I got no test kit.

 

There's no way to tell whether the tank is cycled or not without a test kit.
Do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

I'd suggest doing a 50% water change with temperature matched, conditioned water. You can then go to an LFS to check your water parameters. Many do tests for free, but I'd suggest getting your own liquid test kit since it's more accurate than the strips used in store.

 

Yes I'm not new here thank you.and yes there is my filter had some discoloration to it which means my
cycle should be done.

 

and yes there is my filter had some discoloration to it which means my cycle should be done.

That means that your filter is dirty, not that your tank is cycled. Rinse the media in old tank or dechlorinated water to clean it.

 

I just wanted to check. Discoloration in your filter media only means there's a build up of organics in the filter. It doesn't say anything about the cycle.

How often have you been doing water changes? And how much did you change?

 

Every 3 days and about 25 %

 

Go get the Master Kit like yesterday. It's pricier than strips but please stop guessing with your cycle progress and the health of your fish.

With that in mind, did you disturb sediment with these changes or have any driftwood? Both can discolor your filter without a cycle.