the-obstacle Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 in a 16L tank? I'd go for 50% 2 times a week until the amonia is completely gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 20-25% is a good amount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Water Changes people have different ideas but mine are usually around 25%, sometimes less.. sometimes more. Certainly in a smaller tank you need to keep on top of water changes. my 20L gets changed out 5L one week and 8 L the next. In a cycling small tank I'd go for 30-40% twice a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Thanks for the help - when I change my water will it spike the ammonia (as it is in the safe zone on my PH strips but not on the monitor in the tank) Or will it lower it? (My partner has done all the fish work since we started keeping them. I should ask him questions but he is in bed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Fresh clean water (from the tap, with or without water treatment) will have no ammonia so will dilute the existing ammonia by whatever amount you are changing out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 changing the water will lower the ammonia because you're taking some of it out. That's the whole reason why you water change more frequently when there are ammonia readings, The good bacteria that will convert the ammonia lives in the filter and gravel so you won't lose much if any of the good stuff. (just rinse any sponge media in tank water not tap water) This good bacteria will multiply until a balance is reached in the tank and you should be fine as long as you keep up the water changes and don't add too many fish at once. What age are the kids at school? I work at a school too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 make sure you wipe the inside of the glass, and gravel syphon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Great - we are on tank supply so use that water - I hate Marton water so would never force it on a poor fish who has to live in it. You can smell Marton water coming out of the tap. Thank you all for the help you have provide - it is very insightful. I ask a lot of questions and no one told me to shut up which was really kind of you all. I will update on the fish situation tomorrow after the water change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 changing the water will lower the ammonia because you're taking some of it out. That's the whole reason why you water change more frequently when there are ammonia readings, The good bacteria that will convert the ammonia lives in the filter and gravel so you won't lose much if any of the good stuff. (just rinse any sponge media in tank water not tap water) This good bacteria will multiply until a balance is reached in the tank and you should be fine as long as you keep up the water changes and don't add too many fish at once. What age are the kids at school? I work at a school too. I teach year 5 & 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 When you have sorted the issue at hand if you wish I will provide you with replacement platties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 When you have sorted the issue at hand if you wish I will provide you with replacement platties. That is really kind of you to offer. Thank you. We have platy fry in our tank at home so I could replace them with them when they are a little bigger. I am beginning to wonder if I should replace them due to the tank size. I am offf to school to see if anything bad happened over night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Yay - three alive fish! If they are still like that tomorrow I will begin to doubt Mr Bris is evil and is doing it. Water change done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 I teach year 5 & 6. awesome! I work with that age group too (Teacher aide) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Hoping they are all alive tomorrow too. I dreamt about them all night last night. Woke up at six ready to go to school but held off until nine. Will spend some quality time with them tomorrow when I hang out at school for the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 You must be very dedicated if you intend to go to school on a Sunday, good on you. However if you need to replenish the tank I am sure there are plenty of generous people on this site who are willing to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 You must be very dedicated if you intend to go to school on a Sunday, good on you. However if you need to replenish the tank I am sure there are plenty of generous people on this site who are willing to help. Teaching is not just a 9-3 job. I have a Tangi tomorrow so I need to organise some work for my class to do while I am out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Yay - three alive fish again. I will now stop thinking that Mr Bris is evil and a killer. What do you all feed your bristlenoses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrudd Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 Yay - three alive fish again. I will now stop thinking that Mr Bris is evil and a killer. What do you all feed your bristlenoses? I think your bristlenose is innocent :thup: They are usually just aggressive towards each other if it comes to terrority, and then its usually two males rather than a male and female. With other fish and terrority they usually just chase them off. When having a bristlenose its very important to have some sort of bogwood in your tank for them to munch on for digestion. I feed my bristlenose hikari algae wafer, and almost any veggies, but their absolute favourite is raw pumpkin and courgette aka zuchini. They also love the jbl nova tab. Bristlenose is a bottom feeder and will feed on anything in the bottom of the tank that looks yummy, so your platty was probably a snack after its death but I am almost 100% sure he would not kill another fish, they are very peacefull :love: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 He is a lovely little guy - we feed wafers and he has a piece of driftwood that he has made his home. I might buy him some veges as a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 glad to hear the remaining platties are ok. Are they male and female or just one gender? They might be enough for now .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 glad to hear the remaining platties are ok. Are they male and female or just one gender? They might be enough for now .. There is only one left and she is a female - when I have it all sorted again I will add another couple so she is not lonesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hdoubleu Posted May 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Water quality is pretty awesome now - Will do a water change again tomorrow just to make sure it is all good. I don't know if I should put some more platys in (another 2) or remove her and put her in the tank at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 I wouldn't add anything more until everything has settled down for a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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