Aquarist
- #1
Good morning everyone,
Everyone please, keep up with the water changes for your fish and tanks. I'm seeing so many threads with My Fish Are Ill, What Medicines should I use? It really saddens me that so many folks in the hobby are too quick to jump the gun and want to start treating their fish with medications. Over medicating can lead to fish loss and may be worse than the disease you are trying to fight off.
Without frequent water changes, and I suggest at the very least, weekly 50% to 75%, your fish are swimming in their own waste. Nothing beats fresh water for your fish! It doesn't matter how much filtration you have or how many plants you may have, or if your aquarium is under stocked, these fish need fresh water! Even if you have 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and under 20 Nitrates, your fish still need fresh water!
Freshwater will help prevent swimming in their own waste and also help to prevent disease. The fewer chemicals and medications you use, the better off your fish are going to be. Too, fresh water will help to maintain the water parameters that the fish should have.
When doing water changes, there is nothing wrong with doing a larger percentage such as 50 to 75% weekly. This will also help to maintain your water parameters which should be 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and under 20 Nitrates (under 40 not so bad).
Doing a larger percentage of water changes will also help to prevent Old Tank Syndrome. If you are doing water changes once per week, pick a week and give them 2 water changes just for good measure.
Old Tank Syndrome:
Drat!! Old tank syndrome got me!!!
Make sure to match the new water temperature going into the tank to the water that is already in the tank within 1 or 2 degrees. You can purchase aquarium thermometers at a very low cost, usually under $3. Sudden temperature changes can be fatal to your fish, and may possibly lead to ICH.
Check the pH of the aquarium water and the water from the tap before adding the new water. These should be matched as closely as possible. If the water in the aquarium is LOWER than the water coming from the tap, everything should be fine. I've never had an issue by increasing my pH levels.
If the water in the aquarium has a HIGHER pH value than that of the tap, add the new water slowly. Reason being, sudden changes in pH, especially drops in pH can be fatal to your fish.
For testing water parameters, I recommend using the API (Liquid) Master Test Kit.
Remember to use a good water conditioner such as Prime.
Quarantine! Quarantine all new fish, I recommend 1 month, before adding new fish into your display tanks. Adding new fish without Quarantine may wipe out your entire stock. There are many threads about Quarantine and Quarantine set ups that you can find by doing a Search Fish Lore for Quarantine.
Also, your aquariums do not always have to be stocked to 100%. Remember, your fish need room to grow and swim.
Keep your aquarium water as pristine and fresh as you can. Your fish will be much happier and if your fish are happy, then you can kick back and enjoy the environment you have created for your fish!
Thanks!
Kenishy10
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove your fish prior to a water change. Eventually your fish will adapt to the procedure and get familiar with your hands and hoses and pumps being in the aquarium.
Everyone please, keep up with the water changes for your fish and tanks. I'm seeing so many threads with My Fish Are Ill, What Medicines should I use? It really saddens me that so many folks in the hobby are too quick to jump the gun and want to start treating their fish with medications. Over medicating can lead to fish loss and may be worse than the disease you are trying to fight off.
Without frequent water changes, and I suggest at the very least, weekly 50% to 75%, your fish are swimming in their own waste. Nothing beats fresh water for your fish! It doesn't matter how much filtration you have or how many plants you may have, or if your aquarium is under stocked, these fish need fresh water! Even if you have 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and under 20 Nitrates, your fish still need fresh water!
Freshwater will help prevent swimming in their own waste and also help to prevent disease. The fewer chemicals and medications you use, the better off your fish are going to be. Too, fresh water will help to maintain the water parameters that the fish should have.
When doing water changes, there is nothing wrong with doing a larger percentage such as 50 to 75% weekly. This will also help to maintain your water parameters which should be 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and under 20 Nitrates (under 40 not so bad).
Doing a larger percentage of water changes will also help to prevent Old Tank Syndrome. If you are doing water changes once per week, pick a week and give them 2 water changes just for good measure.
Old Tank Syndrome:
Drat!! Old tank syndrome got me!!!
Make sure to match the new water temperature going into the tank to the water that is already in the tank within 1 or 2 degrees. You can purchase aquarium thermometers at a very low cost, usually under $3. Sudden temperature changes can be fatal to your fish, and may possibly lead to ICH.
Check the pH of the aquarium water and the water from the tap before adding the new water. These should be matched as closely as possible. If the water in the aquarium is LOWER than the water coming from the tap, everything should be fine. I've never had an issue by increasing my pH levels.
If the water in the aquarium has a HIGHER pH value than that of the tap, add the new water slowly. Reason being, sudden changes in pH, especially drops in pH can be fatal to your fish.
For testing water parameters, I recommend using the API (Liquid) Master Test Kit.
Remember to use a good water conditioner such as Prime.
Quarantine! Quarantine all new fish, I recommend 1 month, before adding new fish into your display tanks. Adding new fish without Quarantine may wipe out your entire stock. There are many threads about Quarantine and Quarantine set ups that you can find by doing a Search Fish Lore for Quarantine.
Also, your aquariums do not always have to be stocked to 100%. Remember, your fish need room to grow and swim.
Keep your aquarium water as pristine and fresh as you can. Your fish will be much happier and if your fish are happy, then you can kick back and enjoy the environment you have created for your fish!
Thanks!
Kenishy10
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove your fish prior to a water change. Eventually your fish will adapt to the procedure and get familiar with your hands and hoses and pumps being in the aquarium.