Jack Dempsey Vertical Swimming???

[vaine111]

Yes keep it under.25 or as said .2. If it's at .5 now a 50% change will bring you to .25.
Check it with your strips afterward to make sure it is reading lower. If it don't you are getting wrong readings.

 

[v3n0m]

Yes keep it under.25 or as said .2. If it's at .5 now a 50% change will bring you to .25.
Check it with your strips afterward to make sure it is reading lower. If it don't you are getting wrong readings.

i know this is probably a really stupid queston but im gonna ask anyway, afterall thats the way to learn. would a 50 percent water change kindof be a shock to the fish temperature wise? i mean i dont have anything i can put 40-45 gallons of water into to let it reach room temp, will everything be ok? i have a 300watt stealth pro heater in there with them for what its worth, it seems to heat quite well.

 

[knifegill]

Yes, fish can be stressed by water changes.
Can you add warm water? Where are you getting your new water?

How much difference is there between the tank and the new water?

Be sure your heater stays submerged. Even if it is plastic and can't explode like a glass one, it will do a better job during the water change if completely submerged.

EDIT: If you must, it should be okay to add the new water very gradually, letting it warm up with each dump. Just keep the water circulating somehow and try not to let the filter media dry out if it ends up taking a long time.

 

[vaine111]

As long as you are conditioning the water with a conditioner which I suggest prime(2 drops per gallon) and either use a thermometer or hand check it to make sure it is the same temp as your tank water it shouldn't stress the fish too much(not as much as ammonia).
You hand is capable of getting the water temp about the same(give or take a few degrees) as your tank.

 

[knifegill]

Just remember to use the same skin for comparing both temps. One hand may disagree with the other.

 

[v3n0m]

Yes, fish can be stressed by water changes.
Can you add warm water? Where are you getting your new water?

How much difference is there between the tank and the new water?

Be sure your heater stays submerged. Even if it is plastic and can't explode like a glass one, it will do a better job during the water change if completely submerged.

I use well water, and ironically the water is perfect out of the faucet for american cichlids. im not sure about the dif, i see what your getting at, ill try to adjust the warm in with the cold and find a happy medium. it is completely submerged as well. i know it was prolly a dumb question man but thanks for answering.

 

[v3n0m]

Just remember to use the same skin for comparing both temps. One hand may disagree with the other.

ill be using a digital thermometer, i wanna be as close as possible.