View Full Version : RTC Water changes
abigman67
10-31-2007, 9:56 AM
Hello! I change my water for my RTC every week and a half! He seems to get sluggish and withdrawn when I do this! I change about 50-60% of the water. Can anyone help me out on the frequency I should change the water along with the % of how much water. Thanks
Bogwoodbruce
10-31-2007, 10:10 AM
That seems like a lot but you need to do large W/C's with big cats. Im not sure why he would become sluggish.
Sturgeon
10-31-2007, 10:43 AM
Hmm... I dont know how WC's will make a rtc sluggish, I've only heard that after you feed them they will become sluggish until they become hungry again, when they will search actively for food.
Bgonz
10-31-2007, 10:56 AM
Hello! I change my water for my RTC every week and a half! He seems to get sluggish and withdrawn when I do this! I change about 50-60% of the water. Can anyone help me out on the frequency I should change the water along with the % of how much water. Thanks
RTC's generally dont like large water changes. Monitor your nitrate levels and come up with a plan to keep them to a minimun, then just change enough water to keep them in check. I have many tanks and my water change schedules are all different. One example is my 265 with 2 well fed 20" catfish. I NEED to change between 40-60 gallons a week to keep my nitrates low. If I miss one, the nitates will start to climb and only a larger waterchange will get them back in check, BUT when I do this my RTC gets stressed. He definately likes smaller waterchanges. Unless your way over stocked or feed way to much I dont see 50-60% a week needed.
JMO of course.....
bob
Bgonz
10-31-2007, 10:59 AM
Could also be a PH issue. If your PH is low a large water change MAY suddenly raise it, thus makeing you cat sluggish/stressed.
Just another possibility.
bob
killerfish
10-31-2007, 5:26 PM
what size tank you should just do water changes when your nitrates get to high
niblit
11-13-2007, 10:53 PM
Make sure you're not shocking him with a temp change and try less drastic water changes
necrocanis
11-14-2007, 5:46 AM
all my rtc and hybrids love large water changes they all act like a dog that just had a bath and swim around and eat more than usual. I'd check ph as stated before.