I need to do a water change

I’ve noticed that a few of my fish have red marks on their mouth and some on their tail, and I’ve recently learned that’s ammonia burns. I was wondering, I’ve only done 10% water changes (did one yesterday as well) but I want to completely reduce the ammonia by going for a 50% water change. Should I wait or should I do it?

 

Ok thank you. I’m planning on replacing the filter cartridge at the end of the month (I have a quietflow filter) so I’m wondering if I should still do it.

No, do not replace the filter cartridge. When you do that you are throwing away most of the bacteria you have grown. Rinse it off in water you have pulled from the tank when doing a water change. Do this until it is literally falling apart or until water will no longer flow through it freely.

I know the package tell you to replace it monthly but that is simply so they can sell more cartridges. They don't consider that it could crash your cycle. I won't go into it but you may want to research on ways to upgrade the media (the cartridge is considered media) in your filter to more permanent media.

 

No, do not replace the filter cartridge. When you do that you are throwing away most of the bacteria you have grown. Rinse it off in water you have pulled from the tank when doing a water change. Do this until it is literally falling apart or until water will no longer flow through it freely.

I know the package tell you to replace it monthly but that is simply so they can sell more cartridges. They don't consider that it could crash your cycle. I won't go into it but you may want to research on ways to upgrade the media (the cartridge is considered media) in your filter to more permanent media.

Oh omg thank you! I bought so many cartridges because I was told to, but thank you for the advice.

No, do not replace the filter cartridge. When you do that you are throwing away most of the bacteria you have grown. Rinse it off in water you have pulled from the tank when doing a water change. Do this until it is literally falling apart or until water will no longer flow through it freely.

I know the package tell you to replace it monthly but that is simply so they can sell more cartridges. They don't consider that it could crash your cycle. I won't go into it but you may want to research on ways to upgrade the media (the cartridge is considered media) in your filter to more permanent media.

I have a question. I’m switching up the topic a lot but I have an issue: I think my guppy has a parasite and idk what to do. I’ll show what he looks like but I need help.

I apologise if this has already been asked/answered...but...

You have a 29 gallon aquarium since February this year....what is your stocking (species/number of fish)?

It really sounds like the aquarium is fighting to maintain water quality, that often indicates that you bought the aquarium and put the fish into it almost immediately and before the aquarium had time to estabilish a healthy balance of good bacteria...otherwise known as the cycle

A cycle without fish can take anything tween 6 to sometimes 8 weeks or more. A cycle with fish you can add another 3 to 4 weeks on top of that.

A good routine every week, ideally on the same day each week, is to do a 50% water change for 3 weeks then a 60-75% water change on the 4th week. Hoover/clean substrate weekly before refilling the water (shallower water makes substrate cleaning easier and less messy), test your water every week unless you see spiking then increase to daily on testing and lighter (30%) water changes

Routine is absolutely essential....vigilance is essential when dealing with spiking especiaaaly in an uncycled or partially cycled aquarium

What have you got in your aquarium....cos another reason for spiking even in a fully prepared aquarium is overstocking....as in too many fish of the wrong sort pruducing too much pee and poo and spiking the water quality with waste

I have a 6 guppies, 3 female 3 male. I didn’t immediately put fish in, I waited three days to let the the filter build up beneficial bacteria. I didn’t do water changes for the first month because I didn’t think it was necessary, but looking back it is.

 

If you are talking about the white stringy looking thing I think it is simply poop. I am surprised you haven't seen it before.

 

If you are talking about the white stringy looking thing I think it is simply poop. I am surprised you haven't seen it before.

I looked it up on the internet, saw it was a parasite but i guess not. Only time will tell.

 

I looked it up on the internet, saw it was a parasite but i guess not. Only time will tell.

My guppies almost always had white stringy poo till I changed their diet. Maybe you need to feed a higher quality food? I was feeding aqueon flakes, then I switched to hikari guppy micro pellets. Still not the absolute BEST food, but it’s certainly a step up from before and their poop is much more healthy looking.

 

My guppies almost always had white stringy poo till I changed their diet. Maybe you need to feed a higher quality food? I was feeding aqueon flakes, then I switched to hikari guppy micro pellets. Still not the absolute BEST food, but it’s certainly a step up from before and their poop is much more healthy looking.

Oh. I have to change the diet? I got them omega one pellets from PetSmart, should I switch the diet?

 

Oh. I have to change the diet? I got them omega one pellets from PetSmart, should I switch the diet?

I dont know a ton about fish nutrition, but i think omega one is a good brand- For now i would just watch them and unless they show other symptoms of having internal parasites i wouldnt worry about it

 

I dont know a ton about fish nutrition, but i think omega one is a good brand- For now i would just watch them and unless they show other symptoms of having internal parasites i wouldnt worry about it

What are the symptoms? I’m very clueless

 

What are the symptoms? I’m very clueless

I’ve never dealt with it but i’d say anything out of the ordinary could potentially be a symptom- google is very helpful too

 

I’ve never dealt with it but i’d say anything out of the ordinary could potentially be a symptom- google is very helpful too

Ok. I actually saw the white string fall off of my fish, so I’m assuming that was just poop lol. Btw, I can’t remember sorry, how much of a water change should I do weekly? I have a 29 gallon tank with a hang on the back filter.

 

Btw, I can’t remember sorry, how much of a water change should I do weekly? I have a 29 gallon tank with a hang on the back filter.

Sometimes it is good to re-read the thread once the answers slow down so you can better understand what has been recommended.

 

Sometimes it is good to re-read the thread once the answers slow down so you can better understand what has been recommended.

Ok.

 

Ok. I actually saw the white string fall off of my fish, so I’m assuming that was just poop lol. Btw, I can’t remember sorry, how much of a water change should I do weekly? I have a 29 gallon tank with a hang on the back filter.

50%

 

50%

Dang! That’s a lot whatever makes my fish healthy though.

50%

The websites said I should go for 10-25%, but I’ll listen to you guys.

 

Dang! That’s a lot whatever makes my fish healthy though.

The websites said I should go for 10-25%, but I’ll listen to you guys.

50% is ideal. I also read 10-25%, but as mattgirl says, fresh clean water is the best thing we can do for our fish! (or something like that, i paraphrased ) Changing the water removes waste and nitrates, neither of which you want a lot of in your tank.

 

Dang! That’s a lot whatever makes my fish healthy though.

The websites said I should go for 10-25%, but I’ll listen to you guys.

Trust me, Fishlore has been the best resource for me when I first started keeping aquariums four years ago. I would lurk the forums constantly dating a few years back because Fishlore generally had the best advice from real life hobbyists versus other sites that have paid and promoted info. Plus, these sites can't possibly predict how to do water changes in each and every setup, every aquarium is different. It wasn't until I gained some experience myself from Fishlore myself that I finally joined back in December, and boy am I glad I did. This saved countless fish of mine and the Fishlore forum is the main reason I do aquascapes and live planted aquariums now! The advice given here is second to none so I would recommend those 50 percent water changes that is recommended my many experienced folks on here and one less experienced JLAquatics as well, despite what you may see elsewhere online.

 

50% is ideal. I also read 10-25%, but as mattgirl says, fresh clean water is the best thing we can do for our fish! (or something like that, i paraphrased ) Changing the water removes waste and nitrates, neither of which you want a lot of in your tank.

That’s good! I want my fish to be as healthy as possible, so I’m gonna do 50% water changes (hopefully my fish don’t get shocked because I haven’t done that big of a water change) and it will be a good workout!

Trust me, Fishlore has been the best resource for me when I first started keeping aquariums four years ago. I would lurk the forums constantly dating a few years back because Fishlore generally had the best advice from real life hobbyists versus other sites that have paid and promoted info. Plus, these sites can't possibly predict how to do water changes in each and every setup, every aquarium is different. It wasn't until I gained some experience myself from Fishlore myself that I finally joined back in December, and boy am I glad I did. This saved countless fish of mine and the Fishlore forum is the main reason I do aquascapes and live planted aquariums now! The advice given here is second to none so I would recommend those 50 percent water changes that is recommended my many experienced folks on here and one less experienced JLAquatics as well, despite what you may see elsewhere online.

Ok thanks. Yeah, I went on the fish forum to get specific answers because I couldn’t find specific answers, but I’m glad I found experienced people to help me with my newbie knowledge. Thanks

 

It gets a bit more complicated when you get into specific percentages like 10% vs 20% vs 40% or 50% but the general approach is to do 40-50% weekly. I would follow the advice given here, these people are all awesome

you can look into doing smaller water changes once you understand how your tank works and all the crazy water chemistry stuff involved. Just hang around on Fishlore and read a thread once in awhile and you'll always be learning

 

It gets a bit more complicated when you get into specific percentages like 10% vs 20% vs 40% or 50% but the general approach is to do 40-50% weekly. I would follow the advice given here, these people are all awesome

you can look into doing smaller water changes once you understand how your tank works and all the crazy water chemistry stuff involved. Just hang around on Fishlore and read a thread once in awhile and you'll always be learning

Yeah. I’ll probably go with 50% changes weekly. It gives my fish health and gives me a workout.

It gets a bit more complicated when you get into specific percentages like 10% vs 20% vs 40% or 50% but the general approach is to do 40-50% weekly. I would follow the advice given here, these people are all awesome

you can look into doing smaller water changes once you understand how your tank works and all the crazy water chemistry stuff involved. Just hang around on Fishlore and read a thread once in awhile and you'll always be learning

I just noticed one of my guppies gave birth, should I still go ahead with the water changes?

 

Yeah. I’ll probably go with 50% changes weekly. It gives my fish health and gives me a workout.

I just noticed one of my guppies gave birth, should I still go ahead with the water changes?

yup!

 

yup!

Ok! Thank you so much for the advice!

 

yup!

I just tested my water using a PH test kit. My water is blue. Is that good?

 

I just tested my water using a PH test kit. My water is blue. Is that good?

There are so many test kits out there... mine doesn't even have blue

which brand? pics?

 

There are so many test kits out there... mine doesn't even have blue

which brand? pics?

It’s by API. API PH TEST KIT 250-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water pH Test Kit - look that up on Amazon.

 

It’s by API. API PH TEST KIT 250-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water pH Test Kit - look that up on Amazon.

There should be a color guide in the test kit. It’s hard to tell from pictures and descriptions.

 

There should be a color guide in the test kit. It’s hard to tell from pictures and descriptions.

I didn’t get one. Though I can conclude it’s an alkaline colour. Is that good?

 

I didn’t get one. Though I can conclude it’s an alkaline colour. Is that good?

Is it regular blue or like a aqua greenish/blue?

 

Is it regular blue or like a aqua greenish/blue?

It was a darkish blue.

 

You probably need the High pH test. Sorry.... darkish blue is usually topped out on the regular test. I guess now you know it is higher than 7.8.

 

You probably need the High pH test. Sorry.... darkish blue is usually topped out on the regular test. I guess now you know it is higher than 7.8.

Is higher than 7.8 good?

 

Is higher than 7.8 good?

There’s a wide range of “good” ph - depending on the fish u may want it higher or lower but most fish can tolerate most ph levels

 

Why do I have to look it up LOL. You are the one asking the question

Can you at least post a picture of the color? "Dark Blue" is not very specific

 

Is higher than 7.8 good?

If you have regular pet store fish you will be fine. There are some fish like Discus for example that would not be ok in it. My pH is 8.2 and I have a variety of different fish.

 

There’s a wide range of “good” ph - depending on the fish u may want it higher or lower but most fish can tolerate most ph levels

I have guppies and might get tetras so I was wondering.

 

They will be fine. You may want a high pH test though when you can.

 

They will be fine. You may want a high pH test though when you can.

Ok. I will still continue with the weekly water changes, and after 6 weeks I’ll add the tetras.

 

Ok. I will still continue with the weekly water changes, and after 6 weeks I’ll add the tetras.

Add your fish slowly so you dont overwhelm the Bacteria!

 

Add your fish slowly so you dont overwhelm the Bacteria!

What do you mean by that?

 

What do you mean by that?

Like add a few at a time not 12 in one day.

 

Like add a few at a time not 12 in one day.

Can I add 4 at once?