How to prevent silver dollars from injuries during water changes

[Hmontoya93]

I have an 8ft aquarium but my silver dollars freak out when I do water changes and injure themselves

what can I do to change the water without them freaking out, or make this smoother

 

[duanes]

If you have a sump, instead of rummaging around in the tank, just extend the output to the sump elsewhere.
When I do water changes, I friction fit some long PVC to a line to the sump, and send old water some where else.
In my case that's the garden, but...it could be a drain, buckets (heaven forbid) or somewhere else..

above is how water normally enters the planted sump, from the tank.
Below, after adding a PVC extension, water goes to the garden.

Twist the PVC Tee, add another extension, and half the water is sent elsewhere in the garden.

In this way I can remove about 100 gallons or more of old water in about 5 minutes, and the fish in the main tank are unaware its been changed.
Until later when new water is added to the sump, and gradually mixes with the remaining water in the tank.
I usually change approx, 30-40% of the systems water, every other day, in this simple way.
I used to do the same thing when living in Wisconsin, and used semi permanent PVC extensions of almost 100 ft from the house to the garden in summer, and much shorter extensions to the toilet in winter.
There I could change about 20 tanks old water there (about 500 gallons), in 15 minutes

As you can see in the 1st pic, I run my sumps close to full.

 

[FJB]

I am not sure of the reason for such skiddishness. I have two 6’ silver dollar tanks (both 125g, so also only 18”wide) and in both there is a long piece of driftwood that extends most of the tanks length, and about the middle it is higher off the bottom. This allows a central area where they huddle under the wood. During water changes (~75%) they huddle there and show no skittishness at all. I can vacuum under and over them, even push them a little with my siphon without problems. I can move to all parts of the tanks without issues. Both tanks are planted, one fairly dense, the other (new) is just developing.
I don’t know if this may help you, and even if this is the reason for showing me no fear.
The suggestion of doing most of the work in the dump is a good one, if posible for you.
Another thing is that my SDs are Meynnis (4 spp, maxing at 5”); perhaps yours are much larger fish?

 

[Hmontoya93]

I am not sure of the reason for such skiddishness. I have two 6’ silver dollar tanks (both 125g, so also only 18”wide) and in both there is a long piece of driftwood that extends most of the tanks length, and about the middle it is higher off the bottom. This allows a central area where they huddle under the wood. During water changes (~75%) they huddle there and show no skittishness at all. I can vacuum under and over them, even push them a little with my siphon without problems. I can move to all parts of the tanks without issues. Both tanks are planted, one fairly dense, the other (new) is just developing.
I don’t know if this may help you, and even if this is the reason for showing me no fear.
The suggestion of doing most of the work in the dump is a good one, if posible for you.
Another thing is that my SDs are Meynnis (4 spp, maxing at 5”); perhaps yours are much larger fish?

They are fairly new to the tank, had them in a grow out with fewer problems maybe that’s why and yes they are black bar silver dollars about 5-6 inches a pop right now

 

[Hmontoya93]

If you have a sump, instead of rummaging around in the tank, just extend the output to the sump elsewhere.
When I do water changes, I friction fit some long PVC to a line to the sump, and send old water some where else.
In my case that's the garden, but...it could be a drain, buckets (heaven forbid) or somewhere else..
View attachment 1521212
above is how water normally enters the planted sump, from the tank.
Below, after adding a PVC extension, water goes to the garden.
View attachment 1521213
Twist the PVC Tee, add another extension, and half the water is sent elsewhere in the garden.
View attachment 1521214
In this way I can remove about 100 gallons or more of old water in about 5 minutes, and the fish in the main tank are unaware its been changed.
Until later when new water is added to the sump, and gradually mixes with the remaining water in the tank.
I usually change approx, 30-40% of the systems water, every other day, in this simple way.
I used to do the same thing when living in Wisconsin, and used semi permanent PVC extensions of almost 100 ft from the house to the garden in summer, and much shorter extensions to the toilet in winter.
There I could change about 20 tanks old water there (about 500 gallons), in 15 minutes
View attachment 1521215
As you can see in the 1st pic, I run my sumps close to full.

Thank you I have a sump but the overflow is high, if I drain more than 30 percent water will stop flowing to the sump, will this stil work ?