The truth in changing water by NSKAll fish produce waste products into the water. These waste products decompose into toxic substances even in small quantities eg ammonia, nitrites. Others such as nitrate and phosphates, although not as toxic can also cause stress to the fish since the fishs organs must work harder to adjust to the new environment of high nitrate/phosphates. This might cause the fish to be more susceptible to diseases since it now has a weaker immune system. The ability to heal or reproduce could also be affected.
In the nature, this is not a big issue since the water bodies are large enough to dilute the amount of byproducts. Plants in the nature also take in nitrates for their growth. Also, presence of plants will aid to complete the nitrogen and phosphate cycles. However, in an aquarium, with its limited capacity, the rapid build up of waste products can degrade water quality and affect the fish health and well-being.
Another reason for you to change water is to remove the pheromones secreted by fishes. This is a type of hormone released by the fish as a form of communication. Pheromones can influence the fishes behaviour such as reproduction and feeding. In high concentrations, the immune system of the fish will be affected, making them more vulnerable to parasites and diseases and can even inhibit growth.
Changing of water in an aquarium is therefore necessary in order to upkeep good water quality and healthy fishes.
How often to change water?
There is no fixed rule on the frequency in changing water. A suggested guide will be once a week with 10% to 30% change each time, depending on the bioload of the tank. An overstocked tank will require more frequent and a larger volume of water to be changed.
Do I clean the filter too?
This is a question which many hobbyists often ask. How often to clean the filter and to replace the media? Cleaning the filter is important as the debris and other solid waste material trapped in the filter will still decay and decompose inside the filter. Cotton wool is a cheap and effective mechanical filtration media that can often trap solid waste material. Again, there is no fixed rule on changing the cotton wool. Once every 2 weeks should be suffice for changing cotton wool.
As for the other biological filtration media such as sintered glass and ceramic rings, once the pores are clogged up, colonization of the nitrifying bacteria will not take place in these pores. It is often suggested that 30% to 50% of these biological filtration media be replaced once every 6 months. It is not advisable to change all the biological filtration media in 1 go as it takes time for the nitrifying bacteria to be cultivated.
How to change water?
A siphoning tube or a long water hose are your handy tools for this task.
The siphoning tube can be easily bought as most aquarium shops. Comes with a small hand pump, just give the pump a few squeezes and water should flow from the tank through the tube.
A siphoning tube with a hand pump
When using hose to change water, place 1 end of the tube into the water and the other end attached to the tap. Once the tap is turned on, allow water to first flow into the tank. Once water starts to flow into the tank, turn off the tap and disconnect the hose. Due to height difference and the pressure of the water, water will now flow from the tank through the other end.
A hose long enough to reach the tap from the tank
What else I need to know about changing water?
Water to be added into the aquarium should not have too big a difference in the temperature. The sudden difference in temperature might cause fishes to experience temperature shock and put fishes through unnecessary stress.
Similarly, to avoid putting the fishes through pH shock, the pH of the water in the tank and the water to be added should not have too much difference. Hence it might be necessary to adjust the pH accordingly after each water change.
Water direct from the tap contains chlorine and chloramines. Since these chemicals are harmful to fishes and the nitrifying bacteria, they should be removed instantly. 1 easy way to remove chlorine or chloramines is to add in antichlorine or chloramines remover. Aged water free from chlorine or chloramines can also be used.
Aged water? Whats that?
Aged water is water that has been exposed to the air for the removal of chlorine or chloramines. To prepare aged water, simply prepare a pail of tap water and place an airstone connected to an airpump to provide aeration. The bubbles created by the aeration provides surface agitation that aid the dispersion of chlorine. Normally, aeration is provided for 24 hours to the water. Chloramine is more difficult to get rid off and require longer hours of aeration.
To sum up, regular change of water is important and necessary. It is a simple task yet so sacred that it should be performed regularly without fail to ensure the well being of the fishes.
by NSK
www.arowanaclub.com
