heyandrea_ Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Would it be okay for me to do water changes more often, say every 2nd or 3rd day while my tank is cycling? Because my tank is small, the ammonia only takes a day or so to reach higher levels. Would the frequent water changes be okay for the fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Be guided by the ammonia levels and do water changes as necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishychick Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 I have a small tank that had ammonia trouble recently and was doing water changes every 2nd day. Fixed the problem and didn't seem to cause any side effects. Think I read somewhere that when you have an ammonia problem, take the water from the top of the tank. Not sure if ammonia is more concentrated up there (does ammonia float?) or if it is to avoid disturbing your gravel and all the good goobies growing there. Someone more learned may be able to cast more light. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 I heard that ammonia was more concentrated at the bottom of the tank. If you have bottom dwelling fish, they can suffer more. When I change the water, I try not to disturb the gravel too much, I use a siphon, and try and get rid of all the floaty bits. I've been changing water every second day for the last week. I was just wondering though, would it effect the cycling process, or slow it down at all? Just a sudden thought. Anyway probably better for the fish in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 I think it would slow down the cycle a bit as you are diluting the levels needed to cycle but its better to have happy fish than dead fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Oh ammonia spike, up to 2ppm within 48 hours. Should I do a big water change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 wat i mean is bigger than what i usually do, which is about 20 - 25% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted July 19, 2007 Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 If ammonia goes up to 2ppm then a bigger water change would be neccessary to make sure all the fish survive. I would do a 50% water change with ammonia at 2ppm, theoratically this should lower ammonia to 1ppm, from that point on, I would do smaller water changes depending on ammonia levels. I was told when ammonia drops to 0.5ppm or below, don't do water changes for a few days unless it rises again, this allows the cycle to continue without any interruption and your fish will be ok at 0.5ppm ammonia, at least for a while. Also don't do any cleaning, filter or gravel, to preserve the bacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Yeah I've been leaving the gravel and the filter alone. Im only picking out all the floaty bits, that's it. I've been changing my water every second day, and its always risen to about 1ppm, within 48 hours, but this time it went right up to 2ppm. I'll have to observe the ammonia more closely in the next few days or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted July 19, 2007 Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Do you have any fish in there? if yes what kind of fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Yep I have two small goldfish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted July 19, 2007 Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Feed them very lightly while your tank is cycling. They will produce less waste (and hence less ammonia). Once a day will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 my tank has spiked to 4.0ppm this evening! Sigh! Did a water change on Tuesday night! Still no sign of nitrite.. my fish are starting to show sign of agitation.. finding it really difficult to keep up! :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 4.0ppm is a bit too high. What's the size of your tank? I would change some as soon as possible because fish can't survive too long at 4ppm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 small tank 25 litres. Just did a water change, about 60%, has helped. In desperation, I've actually resorted to feeding the fish outside of the tank, in the bowl I put them into while I change the water. Been feeding them sparingly too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Wait let me get this right, you take your fish out when you change the water??? NO NO NO NO NO! Leave the fish in the tank when changing the water.... And dont clean your filter whilst cycling too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Really? I just always thought it was easier coz they get in the way in my small tank. I never touch the filter tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoshark Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Taking your fish out when you do water changes is really bad for the fishies health. (When we first had fish, we did it, we also used to scrub the goldfish bowl with soapy water as well.. Please don't hit me, that was about 17 years ago.......) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Well you learn something everyday.. even if its the smallest thing. I didnt realise lol (dont hit me either). I always assumed that it was better for the fish because they might stress out having new water put in etc.. Anyway cant be as bad as my ammonia problem. Luckily one of the first things I learnt was to never use detergent or anything lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Yep, please leave the fish in the tank when doing a water change. Syphon out half the water, then pour the new water back in. As markoshark said, taking the fish out each time will just stress them... heaps, and they will eventually die Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 To lessen the turbulance of the new water going in (cause sometimes it will blow them around) you can pour it over your hand or plate to diffuse the flow. Many fish love to play in the fresh water, or at least hang around close to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyandrea_ Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Thanks for advice! I would of never of known! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fattythecatty Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Ha, ha, my Siamese fighter is the worst for playing in the water as I refill the tank. He thinks it's the best fun as he gets blown all around the tank. Used to scare me at first but now I'm used to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimebag Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 andrea i have a cycled sponge filter you can borrow if you like, should give your cycle a boost. also how much are you feeding? pm me if you want the filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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