Curious If Someone Can Direct Me About Water Changes

Just recently got a fish tank, I am not really sure how the water changes work and I wanna do it right. I did buy a gravel vacuum which I should help as far as I know. Any help would be appreciated

 

Do you have fish? Filter? Heater?

 

Do you have fish? Filter? Heater?

yes,yes,yes

 

Have you cycled your tank?
When did you set the tank up?

Start the siphon by sucking on the other end of the hose with the vacuum in the tank. Put the other end in a bucket, when the bucket fills up take the vacuum end out of the tank to stop the flow and pour the water in the bucket away. Do 50% water changes every week. You need to fill the bucket back up with tap water that has been dechlorinated and is around the same temperature as the tank water.

What is your stocking?

 

I would recommend getting a siphon hand pump, saves you from getting fish waste in your mouth

 

On this note I have a pump, but it seems to be the opposite way round, as in the smaller tubing sucks the water and the big one lets it out...

 

Have you cycled your tank?
When did you set the tank up?

Start the siphon by sucking on the other end of the hose with the vacuum in the tank. Put the other end in a bucket, when the bucket fills up take the vacuum end out of the tank to stop the flow and pour the water in the bucket away. Do 50% water changes every week. You need to fill the bucket back up with tap water that has been dechlorinated and is around the same temperature as the tank water.

What is your stocking?

Uh... I’ve had it for 8 days now. What hose? And idk what stocking is

I would recommend getting a siphon hand pump, saves you from getting fish waste in your mouth

Oh ew

 

Read up on the nitrogen cycle and fish-in cycles. There are very knowledgeable people here, some can give you a quick explanation on how it works, making it easier to understand (for me anyway)

The small end goes into the bucket, which the hand pump is attached, and large tube end is for siphoning. Since you have to do it manually, you must start the siphon by sticking the tube in the water and sucking the hose until water comes out. And yes, you must go all the way to the end and get water in your mouth

 

Uh... I’ve had it for 8 days now. What hose? And idk what stocking is

Like the other end of the gravel vacuum, the hose part,
Stocking is the amount and types of fish you have

 

I

Like the other end of the gravel vacuum, the hose part,
Stocking is the amount and types of fish you have

have 10 zebra danios and 2 bristlenose pleccos

 

Tank size? Also, do you have a liquid test kit?

 

Tank size? Also, do you have a liquid test kit?

No liquid test kit, 20 gallon tank. I also have this. Should this be good?

Tank size? Also, do you have a liquid test kit?

Also how would I not have to manually siphon it out?

 

Hand pump, 5 bucks or something on amazon. Attaches to the end of the small hose

Exact one I have, built in hand pump, sorry missed the first post, I'm a squirrel

 

Exact one I have, built in hand pump, sorry missed the first post, I'm a squirrel

Ohhh so I should be good then? LOL really didn’t wanna suck water

 

Definitely get a test kit. You're going to want a baseline reading for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates for the cycling process.

 

S

Exact one I have, built in hand pump, sorry missed the first post, I'm a squirrel

So I’m assuming I should do it today, what should be my steps?

Definitely get a test kit. You're going to want a baseline reading for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates for the cycling process.

Alright, I’ll have to get a test kit on Thursday

 

Yes that works great. Put the tube end in the tank, the other end with the pump into a bucket. Pump it until water starts coming out into the bucket, creating a constant suction. Make sure your bucket is lower than your tank so gravity can do it's thing

 

Yes that works great. Put the tube end in the tank, the other end with the pump into a bucket. Pump it until water starts coming out into the bucket, creating a constant suction. Make sure your bucket is lower than your tank so gravity can do it's thing

Alright what about refilling the tank? And do I suck a certain part of the water or... sorry it’s my first time

 

You could stir up the gravel or sand a little and take it up that way, or just place the tube right on the gravel and you'll see it taking up debris and waste. Move it all around, and try not stirring up too much, it can be messy.
IMPORTANT turn off your heater before removing water. If you run your heater without the water at the water line, it can burn out. Turning off the filter keeps the mess down and minimizes build up in your filter

When adding new water, make sure you treat the water with Prime or other conditioner to remove metals/chlorine and detoxifies ammonia, making it safe for your fish. It's also VERY important to match the temp of your fresh water to the temp of the tank. Temperature shock can kill fish very easily.

 

You could stir up the gravel or sand a little and take it up that way, or just place the tube right on the gravel and you'll see it taking up debris and waste. Move it all around, and try not stirring up too much, it can be messy.
IMPORTANT turn off your heater before removing water. If you run your heater without the water at the water line, it can burn out. Turning off the filter keeps the mess down and minimizes build up in your filter

Ah ok so basically unplug the filter and the heater and use the vacuum to take 5 gallons or so into a bucket? What about new water

What would be the best way to do that? I

When adding new water, make sure you treat the water with Prime or other conditioner to remove metals/chlorine and detoxifies ammonia, making it safe for your fish. It's also VERY important to match the temp of your fresh water to the temp of the tank. Temperature shock can kill fish very easily.

have water conditioner

 

This is also a great time to clean filter pads and impeller of your filter. ALWAYS use tank water to rinse filter parts/pads/foam. Using straight tap can kill important bacteria growth in your filter, which houses the majority of the bacteria colony the tank needs.

 

This is also a great time to clean filter pads and impeller of your filter. ALWAYS use tank water to rinse filter parts/pads/foam. Using straight tap can kill important bacteria growth in your filter, which houses the majority of the bacteria colony the tank needs.

Really? Someone said usually filter cleaning would be like 2 or so months

 

I use a meat thermometer, but a normal suction thermometer inside the bucket will work. Take a small container of tank water and temp match it to the tap water using your finger. Put the thermometer in the bucket and give it some time to get an accurate reading.

To add it back in, I use a small pitcher and do it by hand.

You might not need it now, this is just the time to do it when it needs to be done

What is your filter?

 

What is your filter?

The manual says the quietflow led pro aquarium power filter

 

Absolutely. That type of siphon hose a bulb to start the siphoning without you having to suck on the tube.

No liquid test kit, 20 gallon tank. I also have this. Should this be good?

 

Absolutely. That type of siphon hose a bulb to start the siphoning without you having to suck on the tube.

Ah ok cool I just wanna make sure I’m doing everything right, still kinda confused

 

It's always advised to clean impellers of hob filters frequently, as a clogged impeller can burn the motor out

There's a lot to learn and lots of work ahead, but very interesting and rewarding. I started this hobby in February and believe me, I was exactly where you are now. Don't stress and be patient

 

There's a lot to learn and lots of work ahead, but very interesting and rewarding. I started this hobby in February and believe me, I was exactly where you are now. Don't stress and be patient

Alright I’ll just go over it real quick to tell you what I’m doing so I know it’s right . Should I get 5 gallons of water and put conditioner in it first and let it set for like an hour?

 

Ah ok cool I just wanna make sure I’m doing everything right, still kinda confused

It is absolutely paramount that you read about the nitrogen cycle AND get a water testing kit. Most hobbyist use the API Master Test kit. Just go to Google and type in...freshwater aquarium nitrogen cycle. It is very important to proper fish keeping.

 

It is absolutely paramount that you read about the nitrogen cycle AND get a water testing kit. Most hobbyist use the API Master Test kit. Just go to Google and type in...freshwater aquarium nitrogen cycle. It is very important to proper fish keeping.

Oh yea I did appreciate it. Just need to get the master test kit. Low budget rn

 

When you go to refill during you water change, just put the proper dose of water conditioner first and it will mix in as you add the water and you can pour it in the tank immediately. Make sure to get your refill water from the kitchen sink or bathtub so you can adjust the water temperature as close as you can to the tank water. Never cold water from a hose.

Alright I’ll just go over it real quick to tell you what I’m doing so I know it’s right . Should I get 5 gallons of water and put conditioner in it first and let it set for like an hour?

 

Make sure to temperature match it. I get close using my finger to match the temps, so I don't have to wait a long time for it to drop on its own. Ithen verify with thermometer. I add conditioner in first, then fill the bucket so it mixes around.

 

When you go to refill during you water change, just put the proper dose of water conditioner first and it will mix in as you add the water and you can pour it in the tank immediately. Make sure to get your refill water from the kitchen sink or bathtub so you can adjust the water temperature as close as you can to the tank water. Never cold water from a hose.

Alright so turn off filter/heater. Start vacuuming water cleaning up rocks/gravel and such. Then to refill I just put the water conditioner in first then start putting the tap water in?

Make sure to temperature match it. I get close using my finger to match the temps, so I don't have to wait a long time for it to drop on its own. Ithen verify with thermometer. I add conditioner in first, then fill the bucket so it mixes around.

How long should it sit in the bucket for?

 

Until the temp is +/- 1 degree of the tank temp

 

For as long as it takes you to carry it to the tank. The water conditioner is rather instant at removing chlorine and chloramine.

How long should it sit in the bucket for?

You can take a whole 5 gallon bucket to the tank if you want, but it be easier in you and the fish if you have a 1 gallon container to transfer it from the 5 gallon bucket to the tank.

 

I have small, 2qt plastic pitchers that fit in my 20gal so I don't have to pour the water, just place the whole container in and slowly tip. It's much faster and keeps from stirring up debris.

 

I have small, 2qt plastic pitchers that fit in my 20gal so I don't have to pour the water, just place the whole container in and slowly tip. It's much faster and keeps from stirring up debris.

That works too.

 

finnipper59 is right, reading up on and understanding the nitrogen cycle will help loads. I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere until I researched and really understood the process.

 

Also, you don't have to suck water into your mouth.
The siphon effect requires water to completely fill the diameter of the hose, but only as far as to be below the bottom of the tank. It takes practice. If you don't want fish waste in your mouth, you can practice with Tap water (or Diesel fuel, you'll learn a lot faster! I did).