Siphoning Babies - Danio Fry and Gravel Cleaning - 09/30/2006
Hi Crew,
<Hi, Mike!  Sorry for the delay....  your email wasn't able to come through properly in our Webmail system; my computer was able to read/respond, but I've been out a bit.  I do apologize for this delay.>
I spend far too long reading your website but enjoy it immensely.
<Heh!  Me too.>
I have a mature 240 litre freshwater community tank and over the last few weeks, every time I do my weekly partial water change, I syphon tens of baby zebra danios out with the tank cleanings. Obviously they are too small to net and I've tried various methods of separating them from the muck but, inevitably, I spend hours every week with my head in a bucket rescuing baby fish by whatever painfully slow method I've invented; dipping cup, air-tube syphon or pipette usually.
<How about a brine shrimp net?>
My problem is that I'm becoming increasingly fond of dumping the baby laden sludge directly into one of the fry tanks to save time. Although it's probably very good baby food, it does mean that I am building up waste in tanks that I can no longer syphon 10% of the water out of weekly since I'm back to square one - babies and muck. So what, if any, faster methods can you suggest of separating the babies from my siphonings please
<A pipette and patience is probably the best/safest way....>
and what is the best way of cleaning the gravel in the fry tanks?  
<Best option here is not to keep gravel in your fry tanks.  Keep them bare-bottomed instead, if possible.>
On a marine note, have you seen the new marine shop/website in Leeds?  www.reefranch.co.uk http://www.reefranch.co.uk/ ?
<I haven't; I don't think anyone on the Crew right now is in the UK - but if I'm out that way, I'll have a look!>
Fantastically well cared for fish and corals.  
<Sounds great.  I like to hear of new, good shops opening up.>
Best regards,
<To you as well!>
Mike Cursons
<Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Cloudy water AFTER water changes, FW  7/3/06
Hi:
   <Hello there>
  I have checked your site and could not find an answer to my problem which is: I have a 72 gallon FW with an Eheim pro II filter, 2 small Nutrafin Co2 units. Ammonium, nitrate, nitrite not detectable.  The tank is heavily planted and everything is lush.  I clean the gravel regularly with a sludge extractor. There are/were 5 rummy nose tetras, 4 small bushy nose Plecos (1.5 inches each), 2 rams and 1 flag fish, 1 Oto cat in the tank. Hardness reads at 3 carbonate hardness, ph is 7.0.  Water changes about 10 gallons a week with distilled water.
<Mmm, why distilled?>
  So far so good until I decided to do a more draconic
<...?>
water change due to the "change hype" posted everywhere.  I did this with tap water and addition of a water conditioner (there is chloramine in the tap water).  About 1/3 of the tank.  The next morning, the water is milky and the fish in acute distress swimming on top gasping for air.
<Yes, likely a "die-off", induced loss of "useful" (established) bacteria... with others, free-living (so populous it's making your water appear cloudy) microbes>
Testing of the water with a sera test kit gives no results.  I change 15 gallons with distilled
water (this is as much as I had at home).  When I get back later, two of the rummys have died and the water is still very cloudy.  I removed the fish to a quarantine tank that is okay.
   <Good idea, move>
  What is going on?  This is not the first time that I am having this problem when adding tap water - I thought water changes are supposed to make it better. Testing of the water (including phosphates) when this happened the first time in a smaller tank came also back negative. I am desperate and concerned that my rank will entirely crash.  repeated water changes in the past to get rid of the cloudiness did not make it any better (with conditioned) tap water.
<Does appear that your tap/source water is "that" toxic to upset balance in this system... I do think that periodic larger change-outs are useful/advisable, but I would switch all such changes, along with regular ones to other "types" of water. IMO, reverse osmosis. I strongly encourage you to look into a small home-size unit. Easy to install, use... is what I do, have done for decades. Bob Fenner>

No water change... H3O or striking a balance   6/18/06
I have heard of the reef guys doing zero-maintenance tanks and am wondering if I am the only one with a freshwater zero-maintenance.  I am using a ten-gallon tank done in Amano style initially (heavily planted, many shrimp, a few Otocinclus, potting soil, peat moss, lava sand, and gravel in layers, with very bright light - 2x13w compact fluorescent and the ah supply reflector and ballast kit, and very fine filtration [Can't remember what I used for the filter, it was a cylinder with a very fine pad which I attached to a powerhead and submerged on the tank bottom.  I cannot see it anymore]).  My livestock was a school of neon tetras which didn't last long, and some coral platys.  Well, a few weeks after the tetras died, I decided to do an experiment to see how long a tank could survive without any maintenance.  To my great surprise, the last shrimp (Caridina japonica) lived for more than two years after I quit adding food and doing water change.  I had only been topping off with bottled distilled water as necessary.  The shrimp kept producing huge numbers of eggs until they died, at one point I saw an aquatic insect (dragonfly maybe, but I never saw it pupate), and the platys just kept producing fry. The Cabomba is always flowering. All the 3rd generation platys were small and darker in color, a very deep orange instead of the coral I started with.  The adults are about .5" long, and the females were producing about 3 fry per month, and I estimate about 2 fry per month survived total.  The platys feed exclusively on algae which is everywhere.  I don't use a heater, and the temperature of the water gets down to 65 sometimes in winter and I have never seen a hint of the shimmies.  Now there are only two platys left, both male, so the end is near, but it will have been 4 years in August since anything besides distilled water has entered the tank.  From time to time I have cut off a sprig of Cabomba which is trailing out the back of the tank and put it in my 29g cichlid tank but I do not believe this is where all my nitrogen has been going.  There is absolutely no odor to the tank, it doesn't even have that odd funk which lakes usually have.  (I live in Texas where water temperatures can reach the low 90s in Summer.  If the lakes where you are don't give off a smell, my apologies.)  Has anyone else done this for four years in a tank so small?
<Not that I've read re>
I would love to have a party in August, but no one I know seems the slightest bit impressed.  
I think they just do not understand.  Some of them even say I am being cruel to the platys to continue this experiment.
<What happened to the Neons?>
However, I haven't seen any deformities or behavioral disturbance in the fish since I started, only a diminution of size with successive generations.  In
closing, I suppose I don't really have a question, except whether you think I have discovered the holy grail of the nitrogen cycle, and whether you think trying it in a 29 would be a good idea, maybe I could use the larger livebearers such as mollies?
<I wouldn't. This genus is far less tolerant than Poecilia>
Thanks for reading this winded email, and I can try to get pics of my two platys (and the completely greened-out tank) if you would like.
John
<Thank you for sharing. Am still a fan of frequent partial water changes... though a sort of "balance" can be achieved, even with small volumes of water, as you have done. Bob Fenner>

Re: No water change  6/20/06
> <What happened to the Neons?>
I think the water here is just too hard and alkaline for them.  They have never liked our water much, they lose their robustness within a few weeks.  I have decided not to touch tetras again until I can get an ro unit or some such, and at that point I might want to start dabbling with marine.  (Will do water changes though, lol)
>I see. And agree! RMF<

Siphoning...
TGIF once again Crew,
Assuming maybe Jen S. is still answering since I just got an email back from you.
<I'm still here... wish I was on a tropical island somewhere, but hey.  I have fun w/ this too!>
I just wanted to share something I do for siphoning water since reading that a lot of people use there mouths.
<Ick, not me... use an automatic syphon here.  I could never understand why people used to siphon gas tanks with their mouth either.  ick.>
I also use to do this but being paranoid I always thought "Hey is my mouth dry, arms a little shaky, little dizzy" so I
decided to figure out another way. Many may use this same technique but from
what I read a lot don't. Simply go to your local Wal-mart and buy a spare
power head or use one if you have access to it in your fishtank. Stick the
hose right in front of it and  pump enough water to start the flow take away and your siphon has started.
<Very cool!>
  Figured I would share this with people that may need a solution to using there mouth. Since finding out about palytoxin today and realizing
there is a lot of dangerous stuff in there I am sure to be A LOT more careful in future handling of my aquarium.
<Hahaha, yes you should!  Don't want to inhale something that might bite, right?>
Thanks for the time,
Homerj
<No, thank you for sharing!  Excellent.  Have a great night!  Jen S.>

Discus aquarium and Python water changing system    4/4/06
I have a 42 gallon octagon aquarium with 2 blue turquoise discus 12  neon tetras, and a Pleco of undetermined sort of about 3 inches long.  I  plan to add one more discus at a later date.  The two I presently have are  3-4 inches.  I have 80 watts of compact fluorescent lights, a Fluval 304  canister filter, a 100 watt heater, 3 inches of substrate, and many faux silk  plants.  I plan to switch to live plants soon, that is why I have so much  light.  The discus do not seem to have a problem with its  intensity.  My ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are non-detectable at this  time.  Sometimes my nitrates run .10-.15.
The water temperature  is 83 degrees F.  I do 20 percent water changes every week and vacuum  gravel as well.  My question is-- would it be detrimental to
my aquarium to  use a Python water changing system run straight from my tap while simultaneously  using the a product that removes chloramines and chloride?  
<Mmm, no... though I would run the water return "slow"... and slightly warmer in temperature than the tank>
I am  fortunate that my tap ph is 7.7-7.8, which is the same reading as my tank  ph. <A bit high... but likely okay for "man made" Symphysodon (vs. wild-caught)>
  This tap water would be slightly warmed so as not to cause a change in  the tanks current temperature.   I was told that use of  water heated by the home's water heater was a bad idea-- is this correct?.
<In general this is fine... there are some concerns with gas saturation and metal contamination... at times/places>
  My water heater is brand new and my house is only 10 years old. I am aware  that using a large water bucket with aged water is the best way to do water  changes, but I am having health problems and am unable to perform water changes  as I used to by bucket method for at least another 3 months during my  recovery.
<I see... and agree... the Python method is better than delayed changes>
Using the Python seems like a good idea, but Discus are delicate  and I would like your advise on exactly how delicate they are in regards to the  water changes.   Much
thanks for your time, interest, and advice-  Andrea.
<Thank you for writing, sharing. Bob Fenner>

Water Changes On a 55 Gallon Tank.   2/14/06
How often should a person do water changes with a Eheim filter system and a skimmer on a 55 gal. tank ?
< Check the nitrates. When they get above 25 ppm then they need to be reduced with water changes. Assume that your tank produces 10 ppm per week. At the end of week one you have 10 ppm and don't need to do a water change. At the end of week two you have a 20 ppm nitrate level. At the end of week three you have a 30 ppm nitrate level and need to reduce it with a 33% water change. By changing approximately 20 gallons of water you will reduce the nitrate to 20 ppm. Is 20 gallons of water per week too much work? Then reduce the amount of fish and add some live plants.-Chuck>

Water Changes and Gravel Cleaning 1/22/06
Hello WWM Crew (and thanks for all the information you provide),
I have a very basic question and forgive me if it seems ignorant, but I'm a little confused! On some of your advice responses regarding maintenance of freshwater tanks, I see that you inform people to do regular water changes, and gravel cleaning. Wouldn't these qualify as the same thing?  Because with my tank, I vacuum my gravel at least once a week, and this lifts at least 25% of my tank's water, so I just fill it with new water again and condition it with AquaSafe (So none-the-less, I see no point in water changes). Am I missing something really important here?  As you can probably tell, I am a beginner, so I am still trying to learn all I can, and have spent many hours on your website. Thanks Again!
<It is possible to do a water change without cleaning the gravel; it is much harder to clean the gravel without doing a water change.  If you are using a siphon powered gravel vac then you are cleaning your gravel while doing a water change, which is usually the best way to go.  Hope this helps, Gage>

Low Maintenance Small FW Aquarium   1/14/06
Hey, there.  I'm writing to ask for advice on setting up a low maintenance aquarium for use in my dorm room.  I have a ten-gallon tank with a BioWheel
filter and heater, but unfortunately, I'm not able to clean it as often as I would like since the bathroom is about a minute walk down the hallway.  I siphon the dirty water out when I have a chance, but this process is very tedious and can take hours because I don't have access to a deep kitchen sink like most homeowners.
<I'd get/use an attachment to the tap-spout... from Home Depot, Lowe's... and a five gallon "pickle" bucket...>
I had a really tough time keeping my batch of fish from last semester alive for this reason.  I went through about 6 mollies and platies, as well as a Cory cat and an apple snail.  The temperature was set at the right number, and the filter was always constantly running, but for some reason, 90% of the fish lasted less than a week while one molly and one platy lived for a full 6 months (and are still going strong). So I have a few questions: first, what went wrong the first time?
<Not possible to state with the given information>
  The PetCo people told me that combination of fish would be good for bacteria circulation and whatnot, but they didn't turn out as hardy as I had been told.  Second, what is the best combination of fish in a ten gallon freshwater tank that will keep the water clean for as long as possible?
<... perhaps some purposeful cleaner organisms... and live plants...>
  I thought it had it right the first time, but my cleaners just kept dying.  
<Maybe a better livestock source...>
And third, are there any inexpensive appliances that could help me keep my tank clean without breaking out the siphon and bucket for an hour?
<Not really... in such a small system... best to make the weekly changes of water part of your regular routine (I do mine on Sundays along with vacuuming the carpets...>
Thanks so much!  I'm looking forward to a happier, healthier tank in 2006!
          *~Andria~*
<Me too! Bob Fenner>

Tapwater vs. non-Tapwater, An Exceedingly Entertaining Read   12/1/05
Keywords: freshwater, maintenance, water change/s, Tapwater, RO/DI, filtered water, isotonic OPC, Aloe.
<<Not sure why these keywords are included, but am keeping as they will help others in future Googling.  MH>>
Hi there. Thanks for all the good tips and articles, I've lost count how many hours I've spent on your site so far. You've probably surmised that I'm a newbie to aquariums. You have taken me gently by the hand and I have a burning question percolating from conflicting information about freshwater changes. Filtered vs. Tapwater to be specific.
Background. Saved 2 zebra danios and 2 salmon coloured tetra from being flushed by a friend's young son when he had to move. They were in an aquarium; I had nothing but a 1-gallon bubbled-glass canister, a 5-stage water filter attached to my kitchen system, some OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins, strongest type of antioxidants ... with which we
maintain our health and which I sometimes sell), all natural surfactant cleaners, a litre of 110% pure aloe juice; and loving intentions.
Knew nada about ammonia, waste, feeding ... anything to do with fish keeping actually ... miraculously the fish and I got through some stressful times, together. I learned that a few grains of isotonic OPC will instantly purify water and rejuvenate a dead-looking (and acting) fish in minutes,
<<We at WWM cannot, at this time, advocate using a product intended to "rejuvenate" human skin, as an antioxidant for such, for fish or their water.  Marina>>
that pure aloe juice poured over a sickly fishy will quickly convert the scales to lustre, that stale water = listlessness, while water change = smiley-face exuberance; and that the fish will somehow communicate to me when there is a problem (or death) within the Team. 
Eight months passed happily, I began to crave a larger system. An Xmas 2004 gift was a 2.5-gallon glass fishbowl into which I placed a peace lily that prettily protruded from atop but never bloomed. Lost the largest tetra over the 2nd ammonia disaster along with (later) the largest danio (who like the large tetra displayed a negative attitude I didn't appreciate).
Researched constantly. Added a stunning blue male betta & 3 tiny neons. Some water replaced Wednesdays, full change and "sterilizing" (with all natural surfactant cleaner) of all contents (bowl, lily roots, glass gravel, cave, the works) Sundays, with a few grains of isotonic OPC into the fresh water. Life was happy, Team blissfully helping me do my computer stuff where they domiciled beside my desk. Beta constantly flirted with me, making bubbles so much I named him Bubbles Beta. He ate right out of my fingers, we developed a fun feeding ritual. 
Along came my birthday (Easter), and a 10-gallon outfit complete with everything including test kit (the readings from which I don't seem able to "get"). What fun. Filled it up with filtered water, added 3 little danios and 2 Otos, total Team now 15 (lost the remaining tetra and a couple of Otos along the way). Coloured gravel with some green sand atop (total of 1" deep), nifty little "waterfall cave," created 3 rock caves (small, I change them around constantly), added my 2 antique silver sugar bowls for decor and a mirror background from LFS. Beautiful.
Bubbles and I were sad to give up our flirting (the filter gets rid of his bubbles) and feeding rituals, although excited about the expanded home. He flirts with himself now in his reflection, actually he appears to have become a touch vain.
Diligently turned on the aquarium light daily for 12-ish hours, 25-40% water changes direct from my filter system during the hot summer. After the summer heat I added a heater, stored (and heated) water for a few hours in a plastic bucket prior to use (constant 78 degrees everywhere) and manually vacuumed every 2 weeks. Then came the green algae. 
Nothing got rid of the stuff (although it wasn't nearly as bad as experiences I read on your site, just a tiny bit and cloudy green water sometimes). The Otos turned their noses up at it. So I added another 10 drops of Crystal Clear then, pursuant to your posts, turned off the light and *piff* the stuff disappeared in a couple of days. 
But Bubbles became listless.  And then I read about the Python No Spill system. *Count me in* I excitedly exclaimed while passionately penning it into #1 position on my Santa 2005 List.
Oops. Then I read on your site that Tapwater is taboo, that water has to sit for a week or more before use, use RO/DI water; while another post lauded the benefits of the Python system (which uses Tapwater). The technical writings on chloramine scared the *censored* off me, I'm even shuddering at the thought of the stuff potentially in our drinking water! My 5-stage filter specs don't list it as being removed. "OMG, could Bubbles be slowly being poisoned?" I silently wailed.
Wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth. My eyes crossed in confusion.  Sleeplessly, I couldn't rationalize how the Python could be so successful ... and using taboo Tapwater yet; and I couldn't imagine how to add de-chloraminators while the Tapwater was gushing into the Aquarium through the Python hose (I'm good but I don't do miracles). 
<< <giggle>  Bones, is that you? MH>>
I pictured my loving Team being poisoned to certain tortuous death by their trusted Leader (me) while scrutinizing posts from Python users and manufacturer pontificating about fish thriving on Python's Tapwater.  I've read thousands of posts on your site and others; nowhere have I found resolution to my quandary. 
The bottom line I get is: your fish will thrive on a Python No Spill Tapwater system but don't use Tapwater. I beg you. Please straighten out this desperate newbie before I flush myself along with the water change. Tanks Tons *to coin a phrase*//Rarest1, Ottawa Canada
< Not all tap waters are created equal. Water chemistry is different all over North America. The Pacific Northwest gets lots of rain and their water has almost no dissolved minerals. The Southwest uses Colorado river water that is very hard and alkaline. Every city has a little different way to treat their water. Most of the replies WWM gets are from areas with poor water quality. In these instances we recommend letting the water stand in a container for a time period to let the minerals/chemicals and dissolved gases to equilibrate and dissipate into the air. 
At this time the water can be modified (Dechlorinated, buffered, filtered, etc...), to meet the needs of the fish. The python is a great tool for removing aquarium water and for vacuuming the gravel ( as long as it is not turned on too high). Replacing the water is a little different. If the pH is around 7 and you can get the water temp up to 80 F, then I would have no problem replacing the water straight from the tap with some Amquel added to take care of the chloramines.-Chuck> 

Chlorine Problems 8/5/05
Hello, First time participating in a web based FYI session.  I thought I would send along my experience with the Bala swimming inverted (simulating an infected swim bladder) and listless with heavy breathing and sometimes they dart in all directions. I have lost about 2 dozen fish in my experience and would like to share what I found.  I came across your page searching for albino Labeo chrysophekadion since I have a 16-18 year old fish and thought I would start searching for companions.  Anyhow,  I had 8 Bala's all around the 7-9 inch size in a tank which was fueled by well water.  I moved to city water and within the first two water changes lost all of them to toxic poisoning.  I change my water once every 2 - 4 weeks and about 1/3 to 1/2 the water at a time.  They were in a 70 gallon tank. This occurred 7 seven years ago and with experimentation and scientific methods I noticed it was mostly related to the chlorine levels in the supply water.  My pattern was that I restocked the Bala's in spring and every winter they would expire to poisoning.  Throughout the past seven years a water softener was added to minimize some of the incoming toxins, and to a point it did make a difference.  I found out that the cities water department was increasing their chlorine levels in the water supply for a failing pump and well.  Last summer the pump was replaced and I have had no casualties since when executing a water change.  I found out that silver scaled fish are more susceptible to toxic poisoning so I suppose that Arowana's and Silver Dollars are in this category also.
I do take precautions when preparing to change my water especially in the winter. The city engineer reminded me that the chlorine levels will stay higher in colder temperatures since it doesn't have a chance to "burn off".  So when changing water in late November to the end of March I never change more than a 1/3 of water unless my chlorine test strip (made by Jungle) assures me that the level is safe.  I noticed that a lot of Bala Shark discussion occurs on the page http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwshkfaqs.htm and I think that Chlorine Levels (especially from government water supplies instead of private wells) could be the culprit.  Hope my experiences help and maybe provides longer lives for the sharks in the hobbyist tanks. Robert
< We will pass this along so others may learn from your experiences.-Chuck>

Automatic aquarium
Hi
First of all I want to thank you for this excellent site. I've been visiting it almost everyday, what a source of great info. Keep up the great service.
My question is from the plumbing department. I'm setting up the 90 gallons freshwater tank and trying to plan and anticipate as much detail as possible. The tank will be planted discus, so water changes will be a big part of its maintenance. One of the issues that I want to address is to make it automatic. Being a gadget freak and a computer geek somehow gave me this idea of DIY system based on x10 home automation technology. 
Here is my plan. 
My tank is drilled so I want to modify the stand pipe to accommodate the solenoid controlled valve at a lower water level from normal operation. The valve will be low voltage totally submerged and normally closed. When open the valve will gravity drain 30% of water in the tank to the sump below. The sump will have another solenoid valve that will open at the same time to allow the water to flow down to the basement and to the drain.
<Why wouldn't this just be open all the time? Is the fear that the tank will drain down completely?>
After certain time when the water in the tank reaches the valve's level the flow will stop and both valves will close. All this could be programmed and controlled by computer software. I'm going to use Indigo for Mac and PowerLinc controller. 
I would appreciate your opinion on this, I know it sound a bit crazy but I just love hi tech stuff. 
I should also mention that I've been in the hobby for many years and this is my ultimate tank that I want to set up just right. The difficult part is to find the solenoid-controlled valves that will fit my needs. They need to be inexpensive and low voltage; most of them are 24V so that is good. 
Fully submersible, and operate in the environment with almost no intake pressure, most of them do require some water pressure to operate and that is not good. I found some valves for irrigation systems, there are cheap enough but require 50psi to operate. Does any one of you guys know where to go to get those valves?
<Yes... look to/for the plumbing supply outfits that deal with chemical industries... these can be found under "plumbing" in your Yellow Pages...>
I remember seeing some at one of those automatic aquarium sites but there were like more than $50 each and my thought was I do not need them made of real gold, PVC will do. I would appreciate any feedback, ideas and tips I could get from you.
Thank you
Val Kosiecki
<A worthy project... I would rig your source water (likely heated R.O.) such that only so much water was available... and the overflow standpipe such that the tank cannot be overwhelmed (low flow, volume). Bob Fenner>

You Want me to do What with my What..?  Aquarium water can be Good for your Houseplants!
Hi Bob,
<Mario>
Thanks for you insight and quick response to my questions.  I am unclear about what you mean when you said ".... (put the water on your plants) ..." in your response below to one of my questions. Can you explain, please?
Thanks, Mario
<A comment encouraging you to use this water on your house plants... for watering them. Bob Fenner>

Vacuuming Sand
Hello, how are you all doing? Basically, I have a pretty simple question that I cant find an answer to: how do you vacuum sand? There has to be some trick-of-the-trade. It's a thirty gallon Malawi tank with about a 1-1.5'' of sand on the bottom. I have two power filters; AquaClear 300 and a Penguin 330 Bio-Wheel. (if that makes any difference) Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation.
< You can purchase a gravel vac at most stores. Use it when you do a water change to get rid of the accumulated mulm in the gravel or sand. Basically you start a siphon into a bucket and the wide mouth tube allows the sand and gravel to churn while it siphons the waste out of the tank.-Chuck> 

FW filtration, water changes
Thanks, I had bought the tank used and was using the gravel that came with it for temporary use until I can get something else, you can hook a gravel washer up to the magnum and if you take the nozzle off of it, its powerful enough to suck the gravel right up and it doesn't get into the impeller, so that's how I plan to remove it without upsetting pacu.
<Better to change water while vacuuming the gravel. Bob F>

Re: FW filtration, water changes
True, but then you run out of water after a while so the gravel doesn't get as clean, so what I do, is spend about 20 minutes on Saturday and Sunday cleaning the gravel with the filter promptly followed by a 25% water change Sunday with a python (while cleaning the gravel a third time, I'm really picky about keeping the gravel clean). Keeping this up with water polishing cartridges during the weekend and 16 oz. of carbon during the week with a UV sterilizer keeps my tanks absolutely spotless, its like there isn't even water there!
<Good technique, practices. BobF>

Freshwater ray, automated water changes
Hello, I've been reading through your site and find it very insightful. 
I've been reading about the freshwater rays for a couple months now, wanting to try them but thinking I did not have the time or money to put into one.  
My fiancé recently bought me a surprise...a male P. hystrix!  Being it was a surprise, I didn't have very much time to prepare, and it seems my friends and family didn't have much of an idea of what these fish require before they bought him for me.   Well, for the time being he is in a 55 gallon tank, peacefully living with an Oscar and eating well.  the Oscar, though, is horribly messy, and I'm having to do 75% water changes every week to keep his water conditions under control.  I have the materials to build an 8x6x1 foot pond for him, but cannot set it up until I move out of my current residence (my landlord won't allow it).  I'm moving out July of next year, so in the time being I have to figure out how to keep my ray healthy.  I have some time off work, and was thinking about trying to build a continuous water changing device for my tank.  My water is the right quality (soft, neutral to acidic).  I want to drill a hole in the back of the tank for the overflow, then use airline tubing connected to a bathroom sink with a sprayer nozzle on the end.  I've never had a problem with chlorine before, sometimes even being as bold as to put water straight from the tap in with my hardier fishes.
<Be aware that municipalities do not continuously administer the same concentration (generally chloramine, not chlorine) and that you may well "get caught" by their pulsing sanitizer>
In your opinion, would the sprayer nozzle be enough to evaporate the chlorine?
<No, but you could use a contactor of sorts... chemicals that would absorb...>
As a side note, my pond will have a large, 3x3 foot viewing pain on the surface, kind of like a big snorkel mask, I'll also plant two kinds of tropical water lily around the outside to give my ray a sense of security.  Could you give me any helpful hints and criticisms before I put money into these projects? thanks!
Jon
<What specifically are you looking for? I would not go ahead with your continuous water changer as you describe it... too risky, and the chance to siphon/gravel wash the present system would be lost... keep changing the water manually, twice a week if necessary, and look into more filtration, circulation. Bob Fenner>

Water changes? How often when levels are bad?
Hello!
Great site, I've been reading your excellent replies, and I have also been lurking on the forum all morning. :) I have a question about my 55 gal goldfish tank (population: one 3" black moor and one 2.5" calico telescope). Here's some background... Due to a stressful water change (beyond my control - long story... no longer an issue). The fish both ended up with an internal infection (symptoms: loooong clear poop) and the moor additionally showed symptoms of cloudy eye. To care for them I just completed a 5 day treatment for cloudy eye (using Maracyn from Mardel according to the instructions). For the internal I currently feed them 'Midi-Gold' (from goldfish connection) and this high quality
medicated goldfish food has seem to have removed all symptoms in just a matter of days - yay!
QUESTIONS:
1. The Maracyn left my tank very cloudy and with high levels of ammonia and slightly elevated nitrate (all other levels are perfect). I did one 25% water change Saturday and treated the tank with an ammonia neutralizer (Kent Ammonia Detox Ammonia, Chloramine & Chlorine Neutralizer), I repeated this routine again on Sunday, and although the tank looks a lot better, much clearer, the ammonia and nitrate levels are still elevated. The fish are very active, eat well, and looks fine. (I normally do a 15% water change every week.)
I assume I need to keep doing water changes until ammonia levels are good? How many/much water changes can I do without
stressing them out? (I treat all new water with "Prime" to dechlorinate and "Cycle" for biological supplement before adding and new water tests perfect for all levels.)  <Hello, MikeB here to help you.  I would change the water but do not touch your filter or gravel.  The Maracyn killed off your biological filter and that is why the ammonia is high.  If you do a 25% every other day you should be fine.>
2. Yeah... the fish are very active leading to question number two... This morning the moor started to very enthusiastically chase the calico, nudging at the butt and sides of the calico while zooming around the tank all morning. Is this the reputed breeding behavior (perhaps triggered by suddenly feeling much better after being
sick)? I have not noticed any tubercles on the moor... but they have always been very close and now they seem very intense.
Is this courting behavior always between a male and a female, or is the moor just chasing the calico since there is no one else to chase? I'm just curious if we lucked out and actually got a male and a female. <It can be hard to tell.  Even if it is courting ant the male keeps nudging the female, that could be a lot of stress for the fish.  I would suggest rearranging the decorations in the tank.>
Thank you so much for your time!
New(er) Goldfish momma! (6 months and counting)
<Good Luck, MikeB.>

Re: Water changes? How often when levels are bad?
Mike!
Thank you very much for your reply. I will keep up with the water changes every other day until the levels are back to normal. The moor has stopped his courting and they are now back to just being mellow and snuggly again, but I'll keep en eye on the calico to make sure she's ok and not being pestered too much.
Thanks again for your assistance!!!
Karma
<Sure, not a problem.  That is what we are here for!!! MikeB>

Arowana and chlorine
Hello guys,
<Hello...Jorie here>
With weekly water change (20%) ,if I don't have space to age water or condition them, how can I transfer tap water into my 125 gallon fish tank, without negatively affecting my baby arowana?
<I really don't see how you can get around having separate containers to age/condition the water.>
Can I just put the recommended amount of Amquel plus, Novaqua, and aquarium salt into the tank before I use a hose and transfer tap water?
<I would definitely suggest against that plan - sounds risky and downright unsafe to the health of your livestock, in my opinion.>  
Kordon states that it might take several minutes before Amquel plus and Novaqua completely eliminates chlorine, chloramines, and etc. with that several minutes........will that have negative effects to my baby arowana?
<I would think this would have negative effects on any fish.  I think you've pretty much answered your own question, my friend! It isn't worth the risk of harming the fish, if you ask me.>
what do you guys recommend?  Any alternatives besides storing water into another tank or several buckets ?
<I don't personally have any super-large tanks, so I just use 5 gal. buckets for my fresh and brackish water.  I have heard of people using large Rubbermaid-type trash containers (NOT metal ones) for water aging...perhaps look into this as an option.>
Thanks,
Antonio
<You're welcome. Jorie>

Firstly you have a great site with a lot of info!
<Thank you!  that is what WetWebMedia is here for!>
I would like to know how often is to often to do water changes?
<It depends on how large the tank is, what sort of filtration you have on the tank and most importantly what sort of fish, and how many you have in the tank.  For example with my goldfish I have to do weekly changes of about 25% because the fish are so messy.  I have lots of filtration on this tank, without it, I might need to do that twice a week.  So, it's really hard to give a general statement, but I find that doing a 10-20% change ever week on the "average" tank is a good habit to get into.>
I change about 30% when the water starts looking cloudy, and I'm not having a deaths or parasites that I know of.
<That is good, as long as fish are happy and healthy then you must be doing something right.>
How much salt should I use for each  gallon of water.  I just use a small marble size for a 15 gallon, should it be more?
<I'm assuming you are adding the salt for a slight brackish environment. It's not an exact science, but marble size for 15 gallons really will not bring the salinity up that much at all.  I doubt it would even read on a Specific Gravity tester. With my platys I found that at least a spoonful of salt for 10 gallon was what a breeder told me and I found it to be a good rule of thumb.>
I have platys, fancy guppies and Neons in my tank. Actually my tank is really 30 gallons, it is 2- 15 gallons with a connector tube, one side has fry and the other adults, 4 of my female guppies have had fry this last week so their are MANY of them,  should I change their water more frequently?
<Neons are not really easy fish to care for, if they are doing well then I believe that you must be doing something right.  You might want to try doing more frequent changes and see if the fish do any better, but really it sounds as though you are doing okay.>
My platys are pregnant, how many fry do they usually have?
<An average size fish will produce 10-20 fry.  And those fry will be able to breed in 4-5 months.>
Thanks Diana
<good luck with the fish and tank. -Magnus>

Freshwater Water Change Issues
Hello crew.<Hello, Ryan Bowen with you today>..help! Let me give you the rundown first..55 gallon tank run on a Fluval 304(adequate for a 75 gallon tank). media inside are carbon and bio-rings, plants are 10 Amazon swords, 2 grasses, and 1 banana plant. <OK> My fish are 6 Corys, 1 pictus catfish, 1 red-tailed shark, 4 tiger barbs, 1 jack Dempsey, 1 red zebra, 1 black convict, 1 krib, 3 otos, 2 apple snails and a crayfish. All fish get along well as they have all appropriated a part of the tank to call their own. <For now> For the past two months I decided to remove carbon from the system. My plants flourished but I noticed the water would cloud much quicker. I left this setup for the 2 months but the murky water made me return to using carbon. With the newly added carbon, I did 70-80% water changes to get rid of the murk, and for a day or so the water would be clear, but then the greenish cloud returned. I do water changes (60-70%)every 4 days and this green water returns!!! It's driving me insane. I want to smash my tank with a BAT it is so damn frustrating!!! I am using 300 grams of carbon in the system, and I don't know what is causing the cloudiness. I don't overfeed and all levels (nitrate, -ite, ph, etc) are fine. <Excess nutrients of some sort...where do you acquire the water you're changing?> Any
possible ideas on what's screwing up my tank and any possible solutions are very welcomed.<I'd encourage you to follow these ideas closely, and see if it helps get your tank to ideal conditions: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwh2ochgs.htm.  Perhaps I see an RO/DI in your future?  Cheers, Ryan> .thank you for
your time and expertise
Jean-Pierre Luque

Gravel Vacuuming Tricks
I am picking up my fish tank from my grandmothers and she feeds them bloodworms and since she started doing that the tank got very dirty and its hard to siphon everything out without taking away to much water.  What should I do to keep this under control? Thank You
<<Dear Kevin; In order to keep this under control, you will need to do the siphoning and waterchanges more often. Once a week, or every second week, depending on how many fish are in the tank. Let's say 25% of the water volume. Since your siphon removes water so quickly, you need to move fast. If need be, you can siphon half the tank each time. Do half the tank during this waterchange, and the other half during the next waterchange, alternating sides each time you do a waterchange. If you siphon with one hand, and use the other hand to fold and squeeze the hose (like with a garden hose) to control the flow of water that goes into your bucket, that is even better. You can clean beneath large decorations, logs, rocks, etc, around once a month or so. If you vacuum often enough, the waste should not build up too much. Also, remember, do NOT overfeed! If you cannot keep your gravel relatively clean, even with regular siphoning, you are overfeeding! Same with your filter media, if you find you are squeezing a lot of crud out of your sponges, you are overfeeding. -Gwen>>

Automatic Water Changers
Greetings, I have been looking over your site since I discovered it and find it has a wealth of information about fish.  I have recently acquired a 55 gallon tank and some fresh water tropical fish, so I appreciate the mass of knowledge your site provides.  I hope I am not asking something that has been answered in your "FAQs" though I think they would be more properly titled something else - FAQ implies the same question being asked over and over and so to be answered in a single place, while your helpful section might better be called a log since it sequentially answers questions without grouping them together by subject.  Anyway I am not trying to criticize, just point out why I was confused for a little bit there, especially by questions in the FAQ in which as part of your answer you suggest reading a URL which happens to be the same one I am looking at. <Good points. The term "FAQ" is/was a matter of "convention"... though "log" is much more definitive I agree. RMF>
I'm pretty much a beginner at owning fish, and so made the mistake of buying too many fish too soon for my tank.  (Buying from a discount retailer doesn't help either, they don't know what they are doing much more then you do.)  Anyways, I started out with 12 fish based on the calculations the instructions gave me (12 * 4 inches average grown length = 48, 1 inch of fish per gallon) - one fish was killed by another, one got stuck in a bubbler ornament, and two others just up and died, I'm guessing because the biological load on the tank was too great.  The rest of the fish weren't eating but I started doing daily water changes of about 10%, which for a 55 gallon tank actually works out to 4 gallons.  The remaining fish have perked right up and seem to be doing much better now.
Anyway here is my question.  Returning the fish to the store is out of the question, and I don't want them to die so I am pretty much stuck with them.  But I don't relish the prospect of manually changing a few gallons of water every day or two, especially if I ever need to be gone for a few days.  So I started wondering, this "power filter" that sits on the back of the tank requires a couple of filters every 4-6 weeks, and those aren't that cheap.  Why couldn't I just set up the tank so that a supply line on my house's plumbing runs through some sort of pre-heater that also mixes the drops of water treatment, and then every day have it on a timer or something so that it (relatively slowly) injects a few gallons of fresh treated water while allowing the same amount to be sent down the drain (with a screen or something to keep the fish from being lost of course).  Such a set up would seem to be much cheaper then using a filter and would also eliminate the constant water noise (air pump noises are much more tolerable when trying to sleep).  This seems like such a simple logical solution but yet I haven't been able to find anything like this at pet stores or whatever.   From looking over the FAQs I see lots of people using sumps, but in this setup there would be no extra tank, only the pump, piping or tubing, and intake regulation of heat and water conditioning.  Am I not looking in the right place, does something like this exist, or is this something I would have to do myself?  Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks, Michael
Hello. There is a company called Aquarium Products that makes one called the Aquarium Water Changer: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/products/product_auto.html .It has been around for quite some time. Of course, you can always DIY, if you have the talent. You can do a search for automatic water changers, here are a couple of links for you to start with:
http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/thielbook/thielbook4i.html
http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/water-changer.html
I also recommend you do a bit of reading on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates, or the cycling process in general. Follow the Beginners FAQ's at thekrib.com. Good Luck -Gwen Loiselle

Shaking the Snake - Water Change Questions
Hello all,
<Hello to you!>
I have a somewhat specific question that I wonder if you could answer.  I have a 120g tank with an Arowana, pompom knife and a few others.
<I have never heard of a PomPom Knife... I've kept almost all other types of knife fish. I'm assuming it's a new common name.>
Due to back problems, I bought a Python system to clean the gravel and add water.
<I have friends that swear by the python system.  I have other means figured out, but I'm still thinking of getting a python for the girlfriend.>
Here's the question.  I have been filling up the tank with the tap water and then adding the  correct amount of "Prime" (product name) water conditioner.  Is this o.k.?  
<I know people that do that every time with not problems.>
My Arowana has slight clout and some fin separation.  I was wondering if the water or change methods could cause this.  <Most likely not, Just make sure that they water you are putting in the tank isn't that different in water temp from the tank itself.  That can bother some sensitive fish. check your water parameters, perhaps the water levels are off and it's effecting the fish a bit.  Other idea is that one of it's tank mates are pestering it. which could explain the fin separation.>
Thanks in advance,
<Hope that helps, I doubt it's the python and the water change bothering it... -Magnus>

Should I, or Shouldn't I (change the water)?
Hello . I have 2 fish left they are  Dalmatian Mollie and a Algae eater . They both have Ick and I have been treating them for that.
<Make sure to treat the tank as the package directs.>
There is stuff in the bottom of the tank such as food and fish poop.
<You shouldn't let food rot in the tank, it gives an area for the bacteria and other bad things to breed in.. not to mention it starts effecting the chemistry balance of the tank, which in turn hurts the fish and their immune system. Try not to overfeed so that food sits on the bottom.  Adjust your feeding so the fish eat everything in the tank that is fed to them.>
2 other fish had just died that was in with these one last night and one today they both where Kissing fish.
The Dalmatian Molly and the Algae eater are both acting fine . My question is should I change the tank ?
<I'm assuming you mean the Water in the tank.  In that cause, I would do a 50 percent water change, then go back to medicating the water per the medicines instructions.  That should cure of the problem of ich.  But, make sure that your keep your water conditions in check, having bad water chemistry is a fast way to loose fish.  Good luck and hope everything goes okay. -Magnus>

Timing of Water and Filter Changes
I have a twenty gallon tank with a variety of tropicals with a power filter attached.  I try to do a 20% water every two weeks and filter change every month. Is it okay to change the filter at the same time as the water or should the timing be staggered?  
<This should be fine.>
Will changing it at the same time upset the bacteria balance?  
<No.  The thing to avoid is vacuuming the gravel and changing the filter cartridge at the same time, it is best to stagger these to allow new bacteria to form in the cleaned substrate (or new filter cartridge) so you don't have inadequate biological filtration.  Separating these acts by perhaps a week's time would probably be adequate.>
Thanks for the help.
<Any time.  Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>
Salvatore J. Frontiero, Esq.

Timing of Water and Filter Changes - II
Thanks.  I should have mentioned that I vacuum the gravel with each 20%
change......
<In that case, yes, I would change the cartridge at a different time.  I'd also recommend only vacuuming about half the gravel each time, also to prevent removing too much bacteria at once - of course, if you're not experiencing changes in water quality (test often/regularly for a while) with your normal routine, you may not need to change how you're doing things at all.  Hope all goes well,  -Sabrina>
Salvatore J. Frontiero, Esq.

Water changes/water treatment (10/24/03)
Greetings,
<Hi! Ananda here tonight...>
My name is Mimi. I have a couple of 55 gallon fresh water tanks. I have historically made my water changes using a siphon (to remove only ) and a bucket (5 gallons of treated {Novaqua Water Conditioner} tap water, ph neutralizer) to replenish.
<Okay...>
I have always treated each individual 5 gallon bucket of water .  I am now finally ready to use the Python system, which means I will be putting straight tap water into my tanks. My question is do I treat the whole tank for the approximate 20% water change, i.e. enough Novaqua & ph neutralizer to treat the new 11 or 12 gallons, or should I add enough to treat the whole 55 gallons?
<I drain the water, then add the dechlorinator to the tank -- a little more than I need, just to be sure it takes out all the chlorine. If you're adding 11-12 gallons to the tank, you could use enough dechlorinator for 12-15 gallons.>
Thanks for any help you can give me. Until then, I'll continue with the bucket routine!
<Buckets, schmuckets! I wish I hadn't waited so long to get my Python system.>
Cheers!
<Right back at ya! --Ananda>

Praying for an easy water change!
Good evening,
<Hello! Ryan with you>
I was asked to maintain a freshwater tank ( 55g ) at my church. I only have experience with reef tanks. So, here is the problem; the water has not had a partial H2O change in a long time (one and a half years ) and the book I read says you could have a dangerous shift in pH and a conversion of ammonium into ammonia. <Among other things, yes.  This is comparable to a car in the driveway that hasn't had it's oil changed in years.  No one wants to take it to the mechanic, because only THEN will there be something wrong with it!  The damage here is unavoidable, and likely the surviving livestock has been slowly acclimated into horrible conditions.  Your job is damage control.>  What can I do to prevent this from happening? <Start with VERY small water changes, and do them frequently.  If this tank is close to you, a gallon every few days for a few weeks should ease you back into decent water conditions.> Do I need to add salt also? <No> If so, can I use Instant Ocean?                                             
livestock: 3 fantails 4" long, 10 tetras, 2 neon's and 1 plecostomus 10" long ( Is this to much livestock for one tank? )
<No, but you're about full.  Patience and observation are the ingredients to success in this situation.  And try to keep your hands out of that tank!  Best of luck! Ryan>

Water Changes
Sir, I was just reading your article:
The Conscientious Aquarist
Frequent Partial Water Changes
I have a question if you don't mind.  I have a 240 gallon freshwater system, with a reef ready wet/dry sump and pre-filter set-up powered by two external pumps rated at 1250 GPH each. <all sounds good>  The tank is stocked with 6 fish all 3-6 inches long and I was wondering what type of water change schedule you would recommend.  I have been doing weekly 15-20 percent changes <sounds good> and after reading this article, I was wondering if I should change less of the water or do the changes less frequently. <Frequent partial water changes are best, I have enclosed a link that should help http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwh2ochgs.htm >
Thank you,<your welcome, IanB> Joe

Puzzling Water
I will get a test kit and i will give you the numbers you require. just give me a few days to get back to you with this information.
<We will be here.>
i must be honest- i try do to water changes and vacuum once a month. but i did get lazy a couple of changes back and i went well over the monthly limit. AND since, i have not had clean water. although it is much cleaner than it was initially. (embarrassed) i was thinking that every two weeks i should so a 25% water change and every month i should gravel vacuum. what do you think?
<I like to do water changes weekly, but every two weeks is not a bad routine.  Nobody likes to carry buckets of water, I would recommend getting one of those siphons with the really long hose and the adapter to connect to your sink, the brand that I bought was python, or something along those lines, I'm sure one of our sponsors has them.  They are really handy.  I vacuum the gravel on every water change, it makes me feel good to see all of the muck leaving my tank. Best Regards, Gage>

300 gal fresh water
>Hello
>>Hello.
>We have a 300 gal freshwater tank running for 3 weeks still cycling I have the equipment Timers valves pumps etc.. to set up an automatic water change system. I am thinking 2 or 3 55 gal drums, 1 with water ready for tank and one that fills and conditions with aeration, circulation for a week then would replenish the ready water drum.
>>Sounds like fun.  Let the envy ensue.  Will these drums be metal or plastic?  I am hoping plastic, to reduce the chance of reactivity or leaching of any metallic compounds.  If they are metal, try to find a good plastic liner.
>The water would be removed and replenished through the sump. I have an ro/di filter and doser pumps, should I use them? Or just the straight city water  ph 7.8  and dissipate the chloramines.
>>If you have the equipment, I would use them.  Chloramine is a combination (and more stable) of chlorine with ammonia.  It requires the use of dechlorinator that states it will remove chloramines.
>The 55 gal could be set to do a max of 7 gal a day more if I add another 55 gal drum or chemical drip of Dechloraminators or the ro/di. Is it healthy to do a small daily water change and what percentage in our 300 plus 30 gal sump system.
>>Wow!  Great question.  I am a huge proponent of small, frequent water changes over infrequent large changes.  If you did something on the order of 10%/week that would figure to 1.42%/day.  So (allow me to get my calculator out here, math is not my strong suit)...that would figure to be (for a 300 gallon tank) 4.26 gallons per day.  It should work out fine, yeah?
>I have a surge controller that  I will set up to power heads in the lower portions of the tank to allow the disturbance of the substrate to keep the debris and fish waste stirred up sent to the over flows and sump along with a canister filter drawing water from the tank directly.  How often should the sand small gravel 3 to 6 inches deep be vacuumed?  Tank has plants and will have close to 300 inches of fish in time, mostly small community fish and bottom dwellers, lobsters, crabs, etc..
>>Since this is going to be a planted tank, I don't recommend vacuuming the gravel at all.  Since you're going to this much trouble, let me suggest utilizing a sump (yes! a sump).  The plants will not appreciate having their roots repeatedly disturbed, and having the powerheads set to keep excess detritus moving back into the water column you should have few problems with the sand/gravel becoming to compacted with gunk.  I'll suggest ensuring that the flow is not excessive, too.  And please leave some detritus, both for the plants to utilize and for the bottom dwellers to sift through.  Other than that, it looks like you'll be golden.
>Thanks for the help  Ron Rocha
>>You're welcome.  Marina.  P.S. Send pics when it's gotten going!

Siphoning
I love your site.  It's very informative, although somewhat intimidating.  
<Thank you. We try to keep it from being too intimidating but it does have a tendency to send a person into overload because there’s so much stuff to read. :o)>
We are VERY new and VERY inexperienced at this.  But our one fish--a Betta--is doing very nicely, thank you.  
<Bettas are a great starter fish because they’re easy to care for and generally quite hardy. You made a good choice.>
We'd like to keep it that way and are slowly beginning to "do" things, as opposed to sitting by and waiting for the bowl to cycle and so on and so forth.
<Very good. The one thing Bettas require (like any fish) is regular water changes.>
We noticed he got sluggish a few days after we brought him home and ended up buying a very small heater, which worked wonders for his metabolism.  
<Wonderful.>
Things have since that time gone pretty well.  I've sponged off the sides of the bowl several times to clear algae growth--special sponge, bought from the fish dealer.  There is gravel in the bottom and a nicely functioning bottom filter system.  We have not changed any water yet, but we have had to add water due to evaporation.
<Even with a filter, regular water changes are very important. Since you do have a filter they aren’t needed as often but still no less than once a month. More if the tank is small.>
I would like to siphon out some water and debris and add fresh water--it has been sitting for over a week and is ready to go in, I'm sure--but I (blush) can't figure out how to use the doggone siphon. I see references to using it, but they just say to "siphon out the water."  Okay--HOW?  There is a hose and a plastic thing on one end that consists of two tubes, one inside the other, which I assume one is to push in and out.  But how does it WORK?
<Well, there are several ways. The siphon you talk about doesn’t sound familiar so I’m not suite sure how to start it but they way most people do is just suck on the end until water starts flowing. If you do this be sure to move your mouth fast so you don’t get a mouthful. *G* Really, with as small as your tank is, the easiest way for you to do it is going to be bypassing the siphon tube entirely. Just use a cup and scoop out water. In this size tank, if you change about 3 cups of water weekly you’ll be fine.>
The guy at the store where I bought the fish did a demonstration for me--about 2 months ago--and I just can't remember what he did.  Maybe I'm just chicken, the bowl isn't big (maybe 1 1/2 gallons) and I'm a bit concerned about frightening the fish.  Should I scoop him out in a cup before I do this?  Thanks for any help.
<Shouldn’t bother him much at all. When I do mine, my fish will go to the other side of the tank but they never act stressed from it. Ronni>

- Moving to larger aquarium -
...in the same room - using lots of the old water and some fresh tap water, 55 gal tank has been running for 24 hrs now, very Hardy Oscars that are used to me adding 3 3liter bottles of our tap water to their old aquarium at a time and never have a problem with it..... how many days would YOU suggest the water should circulate? <Two days - 48 hours.> Temperature is good.
<Cheers, J -- >

Mad science re goldfish husbandry... now disease
I have six goldfish for a science experiment and have had them for 3 months.  As part of the science ex. I was not able to clean my bowls
<What?! I really have to wonder about any "science" experiment that would submit a living creature to living in basically an unflushed toilet.>
but now one of my fish has totally loss his tail!!!
<It's no wonder. He's most likely suffering from fin rot due to poor water quality. The ammonia and nitrites are probably off the charts!>
The pH level in his bowl is a 7, is that too much?  Because all of my other 5 fish/bowls have a 7 for pH too.  It also has been a 7 for pH level for at least 2 months.  Is there any thing I can do for it? Will he definitely die? He is a small comet goldfish and he is in a gallon tank with only rocks in it.  He has been getting Wardley Goldfish Floating Pellets (small). I also think that maybe some of the other 5 goldfish may be starting to loss their tails too. Do I get them out of the water right away? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks sooooo much!
<A Ph of 7 is OK for goldfish. Ideal is around 7.2 to 7.4 but they can be kept in a little higher or a little lower. What you need to do immediately is water changes! You need to change about 50% of your water every day for the next several days. You will also need to medicate this fish and any of the others who are showing symptoms of fin rot with a commercial medication designed for treating this. I believe Mardel makes one, possibly Maracyn 2 but make sure to read the box to make sure that's what it treats. And please, no more science experiments like this. Science is a wonderful thing but not when it's cruel. Ronni>

Discus and Water changes
Hello Bob, I have a 159 gallon (48"x24x32H) tank.  It has one overflow and I have a 54 gallon trickle filter. I have a mag 18 pump for the tank return. (can turn it down)  
<I like strong flow, but this is a lot for this sized tank and especially so for discus fish>
I am considering having 4 - 6 discus in this tank, with possibly a stingray (not sure about stingray yet)  
<The tank simply isn't big enough for that many fishes. Max recommended stocking level would be four adult discus. They can easily reach 5-8" each as adults... some get even larger. Even with five discus... that would only be one large fish per 10 gallons... rather crowded if not cruel. The stingray is simply not even possible here (tank size)>
My question is that if I were to keep the water parameters in real good shape (by a low bioload and good filter) why then does everyone tell me that I have to change 50% of the water out everyday 2 days??  
<for starters... your desired mix is a high bio-load by any definition. These fish can reach adult size in 2 years. As empathetic aquarists that's not long at all to plan in advance for a healthy maturation to adult size. I realize the tank looks big when they are babies... but babies grow up <G>>
Is this because of the growth inhibiting hormone that they give off? or is it because they'll get diseased?  
<Discus are indeed very sensitive to water quality... much more so than most other fishes. Daily water changes is standard with breeders and wholesalers to maintain health. Every other day for a home tank is not unusual. Anything less than weekly is unlikely to help you succeed in the long run. Do read up more on discus care... they are wonderful fishes and so very beautiful... but they are labor intensive. More challenging than saltwater aquaria by far>
I don't understand if the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH are ok?
<there simply is so much more to water quality... DOC levels, Redox, microbial populations. And all in the presence of higher temperatures that discus like can easily lead to serious complications>
then why so many changes?
<nature/needs of the beast>
Thank you so much p.s. you've been a tremendous amount of help to me with my SW tanks. (along with your book) thanks again Lynn
<best regards, Anthony Calfo>

Discus, Stingray, Water Changes
Hello Bob,
<Hello Lynn>
   I have a 159 gallon (48"x24x32H) tank.  It has one overflow and I have a 54 gallon trickle filter. I have a mag 18 pump for the tank return. (can turn it down)
<Good. A bit brisk>
  I am considering having 4 - 6 discus in this tank, with possibly a stingray (not sure about stingray yet)
<Have seen these Amazonians kept together... spectacular>
  My question is that if I were to keep the water parameters in real good shape (by a low bioload and good filter) why then does everyone tell me that I have to change 50% of the water out everyday 2 days??  Is this because of the growth inhibiting hormone that they give off? or is it because they'll get diseased?  I don't understand if the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH are ok? then why so many changes?  
<Mmm, likely a few things, reasons for the large, regular water change suggestions. Many folks hold that Discus are quite sensitive to "metabolite build-up", their wastes mal-affecting them... so dilution is one route to counter this. Also, freshwater stingrays, though mostly sedentary, are relatively large, heavy animals that eat and eliminate, defecate a bunch... Both of these points are valid... and both can be countered in other ways: live plant use in the tank and/or sump/s, chemical filtrant (like Polyfilter, GAC/Granulated Activated Carbon) use... The good news here is that the fishes act as very good bio-indicators... you can see them "turning dark", becoming more oriented to the corners... if/when water quality is sliding. I encourage you (if you intend to go ahead with these fishes or just the Discus) to look into a largish Reverse Osmosis unit for making water... a means to store, heat it in anticipation of use (like in a Rubbermaid Brute (no, we don't own stock in the company) trash can and cover...) and place this near the tank for ease of changing>
Thank you so much
p.s. you've been a tremendous amount of help to me with my SW tanks. (along with your book)
thanks again Lynn
<Glad to find this to be so. Bob Fenner>

Upside down Bala Shark, Water Changes
my Bala shark is acting listless, he was floating upside down, and he's
breathing heavily.  he stopped floating upside down but he's still
breathing heavily.  i just changed his water today.  i filled his tank with
tap water but put some aqua safe water conditioner to make it safe for him.
his water was really cold and we warmed it up, but we still don't know
what to do.
<Sounds like the water change has done a number on your minnow-shark. How much percentage-wise did you change? I would make maximum 25% changes. And the temperature needs to be about (if not a little warmer) than the current... and the chemicals added to make the new water safe... did you add them/it before adding the new water? Should be done this way. Best to actually make up and store the new water ahead of its use, as in a dedicated plastic container... with a heater, pump... store for a week or more ahead of using... rather or in addition to dechloraminators to neutralize sanitizer. Bob Fenner>

Water Change -> Fish Dying
Help!  What went wrong this time?
<I dunno, lets find out.>
We have a 35 gallon hex which had 2 platys, 2 black skirt tetras, 2 gold skirt tetras, 2 leopard Danios, 2 zebra Danios, 1 cinnamon Gourami, 1 blue dwarf Gourami, and 1 small pleco.  So far 1 black skirt, 1 leopard, and 1 zebra have died.  I suspect more will die over night.
<I would find a new home for the platies, they have different water quality needs.>
Today I setup 15 gallons for changing (we were working on eliminating an algae bloom - no chemicals added just eliminated the light and decided to do a water change)
<I would leave the lights on as usual, something else is causing the algae bloom. excess nutrients?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwalgcontrol.htm >
adding Aquaplus
<does Aquaplus remove chlorine and chloramines? I do not recall.> and acid buffer as I normally do. Filled the jugs with 73-74 degree water and let it sit for a couple hours.  I then siphoned and cleaned the aquarium to the level for replacing 15 gallons and replaced the water.  Almost immediately upon adding in the
new water the fish had a noticeable change.  Several were sitting down in the gravel, a few hanging up near the surface.  The skirt tetra appeared fine as did the blue Gourami.  Five hours later the Danios are still at the surface
<Danios usually hang out near the top.>
swimming some along with the cinnamon Gourami while the platys are hanging down in the gravel, and three fish have died.
Tests before and after the water changes show almost identical
conditions.  pH went from 7.2 to 7, ammonia and nitrite are 0, nitrate is 5.  Water temperature stayed around 74-75 while adding the new water in and afterwards.  Our salt level was .02% and we have added more to take it to about .07% when the fish started going down hill.
<keep up with regular partial water changes to get than nitrate down.>
Did we get hit with a really high amount of chlorine?  
<possibly?>
The reason I ask this is my father is visiting and makes himself a daily glass of Ionic Colloidal Silver with a kit he purchased (that's a whole story of its own).
<OK, I'm curious.  For the daily FAQ readers:
http://www.sharinghealth.com/beckprotocol/howcs.html >
Yesterday the kit registered the water as fine and making Colloidal Silver but today the kit registered that it was making Silver Chloride which results from too much chlorine in the water.
<From what I hear the chlorine levels can vary a lot in tap water.>
I've done a bunch of water changes since we acquired the aquarium in June 2002 and have never had this happen.  Should we purchase additional test kits, and if so what besides the ones we currently have.
<ph, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are the basics.  Weekly to bi-weekly water changes should keep things in check.  I am not sure what type of filtration you are using, but this could be a factor.>
Thanks for your time and advice.
<Thanks for stopping by, Gage>
Matthew Prentice

Water EMERGENCY, and ick too !!!!
Hello,
I had a question that my local pet store could not answer.
I have a forty gallon tank and I have all live plants with 2 inches of sifted red rock ( the rock is more like a soil so that the plants can root good in it).  I keep the temperature at 78 degrees.  I do a 40 percent water change weekly.  I have two whisper filters with bio sponges. I always add the same temperature of water back into the tank.
I have 1 blue Acara female, 3 Australian rainbow fish, two checkered barbs,1 talking catfish, 1 Cory cat, 1 dojo, 4 head and tailights,1 fresh water oyster, 1 apple snail, and 1 Oto (auto? sp).
My question is:
I have never had a problem with my water changes and this last water change I lost 7 fish.  I have well water that has no added chlorine.  I did the water change and about 15 min later my 5 Siamese algae eater where swimming very fast and flipping around.  They were also twitching, seconds later, they were dead.  Later that evening, one of my rainbow fish did the same thing and died, then about 10 minutes later, my Silver dollar also died, doing the same thing as all the others.  The very next day I took my water down to the pet store to be tested and everything was perfect.  So I bought some more fish to replace the others lost.  My Gourami I bought died that very night.  There were no skin abrasions indicating that it may have been picked on by another fish.  I took a second sample in and again, every things was perfect.  I am lost to what may have been the problem. I am wondering if maybe the food was bad that I had given them after the water change.  It was a new food I have never used before.  It was zoo plankton that you keep in the refrigerator.  Could this have been the problem?   I hope that you can help me out with this problem. Thank you,
Brooke Howard
<Alright Brooke, have you tested your well water?  How long do you let your well water age before using it in your aquarium?
You may have ammonia/nitrite in your well water. Or your well water may be a high enough pH to increase the toxicity of any wastes in your well water or aquarium. 40% is a lot of water, if there is a problem with lack of oxygen saturation, high carbon dioxide content, etc. or ammonia alone or combined with a higher pH would do it. Test your well water, determine all water parameters (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/pH/hardness) aerate and heat it for 12-24 hours, test and adjust pH, then use for water changes.>
Second question:
I sent the above question out to another website and it has not been answered, so your the lucky recipient of the questions.  
Since last week, my fish now have ich and since then some have died.  I bought ick guard by jungle, and now it is all gone and no improvements.  I also have been using Melafix ( about a tsp.)  I have no carbon in the filters and have been changing 25 % every 24 hrs.  I am out of money, and don't want any more fish to die.  My mother in law has a bottle of Greenex, but says for marine only....could I possibly use a little of this in my freshwater tank ?   Please if you can read right away,  I have little time left till the rest die.
<Use copper as per label directions, best in a QT tank if possible.
No Greenex for anything including marines...No Melafix, etc. just copper.  For more surf over to WetWebMedia.com and type "copper" and "ick" into the google search engine at the bottom of the page.
You may have to cycle your tank again, please check your well water as I think it is the source of your trouble.  Best of luck. Craig>

Carbon
Hi there,
I have two questions for you:
1. Can I use carbon to break up the bond between chlorine and ammonia rather then using conditioners (de-chlor)?
<Yes>
And how long should I wait, 24 hour?
<Should be sufficient.>
2. My brother asked me a silly question, do fishes know their owner (I think he meant the person who feeds them)?
<Fish can definitely learn who feeds them and respond by coming to the top of the tank. -Steven Pro>

Fwd: Dear Mr. Fenner...sorry to disturb you once again but... (% water changes)
I am going to have a 55 gallon like I said before. there will be maybe 2 fish at first...how much % of water should I change weekly to establish clear healthy water? 
<About ten percent a week>
I have another tank and it gets cloudier everyday then my mother does a 60% change at it clears then cloudy again its like I chain? 
<It is... indeed a chain... too much change is killing off beneficial and benign microorganisms... Please show this note to your mother and encourage here to make smaller water changes. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water. tm
Bob Fenner>