Can I do water change like this?

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Sarcosuchus

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 28, 2006
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So I have the 3 feet by 1 and a half feet in width and height tank with a nice filter. I have decided not to have gravels since I feel it's just crap?:irked: Not that it wouldn't be beautiful, but soon it would suck and only add more to water changing.

Instead of gravels, I have placed bogwoods and rocks. Now that there are no gravels, I can easily see the stools from the fish at the bottom. This is how I have planned to do my water changing:

In The Short Run:

- Change filter sponge.

- Use a pump to suck all the stools out of the tank and do a minimum 20-50% water change. ( Within what period of time do you suggest for the new water replacement? )

In The Long Run:

- Reduce water, take fish out and clean the tank glass from algea etc.
- Use the pump to suck all the stools again.
- Clean filter from algea etc.
- Clean the bogwoods and rocks.
- Add new water with about 20-30% mix of the old.
- Water would be cloudy but it would settle down as the filter works itself.
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Is this good enough? Any suggestions?:)
 
how often are you planning on doing the "Long run" I honestly only do that when my tank is empty. If you are planning on doing that often at all it would be extreme overkill.
 
ammerman19;748082; said:
how often are you planning on doing the "Long run" I honestly only do that when my tank is empty. If you are planning on doing that often at all it would be extreme overkill.
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The Long Run would be when the tank is dirty in its appearance with a dirty slimecoat against the tank glass. Or is that too long? How often do you suggest? Help me here.
 
well I would never take the fish out. All you need to clean the glass is either a razorblade for calcium deposits or a magnetic cleaner for algea. The wood and rocks can be removed from the tank and cleaned while leaving the fish in the tank. I would simply remove all rocks and suck up the debris. It will be easy to get it all with nothing in the way.
 
ammerman19;748111; said:
well I would never take the fish out. All you need to clean the glass is either a razorblade for calcium deposits or a magnetic cleaner for algea. The wood and rocks can be removed from the tank and cleaned while leaving the fish in the tank. I would simply remove all rocks and suck up the debris. It will be easy to get it all with nothing in the way.
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Hmm, you are right man. Taking fish out can be stressful for them, and my Ornate Bichir hates being out of it that she would try to jump from the pail I had to keep her in. I did think about the magnetic cleaner, you are right I can use this but I don't understand...razorblade?

Ok so I will just remove the wood and rocks to be cleaned than taking the fish out, same thing with filter. How often do you think I should do new water replacement?
 
What size tank and what is it stocked with? The razorblade is in case you get a calcium buildup near the top of your tank. White buildup can occur with hard water and evaporation occuring. A razorblade will scrape it off of the tank. ONLY TRY WITH GLASS. Generally a water change 20-30% a week is sufficient to mantain good nitrate levels.
 
hthe long run stuff seem unessicary to me. unless it's in really bad condition. but if you put a pleco in there it'llhelpwith the glass and definately with the rocks and wood. yeah the razor blade is for getting stuff that the magnet wont remove.
 
As I have mentioned, the tank is 3 feet in length and 1 and a half feet in width and height. Its inhabitants are a foot long Florida Gar, Ornate Bichir and about 6 inches Climbing Perch. This isn't a life long tank for them of course.

Thanks a lot Ammerman, so that's what you mean by the razorblade. What happens if the calcium buildup falls into the water and is left?

Hmm, so far so good...this is made easy.:)
 
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