i am new to knife fish and i know these are really sensitive fish and was wondering how big of water changes do you guys do with one so that it doesnt stress him out too much
water change question for bgk
- Thread starter brianhau1
- Start date
I know many people that raised them their entire lives with regular 50% water changes.
Just make sure you keep water parameter's consistent. If you neglect water changes or gravel vacuuming then you could have a problem.
Just make sure you keep water parameter's consistent. If you neglect water changes or gravel vacuuming then you could have a problem.
How big is it? Once they hit about 4", they're not that sensitive. I've performed 80% water changes before without any problems. Just match the temperatures.
I've got a BGK that's about 4-4.5". I do 30% water changes bi-weekly. I've even gone up to 50% WC but only when necessary. I've never seen any issues with my BGK. No illnesses. The important thing is to keep your water parameters near perfect if possible.
Industrial;4798347; said:
IMO 50% weekly WCs should be the standard on freshwater tanks. (unless you have a crazy crazy planted setup, then you have to change it up accordingly). Nitrates should dictate water changes. If your nitrates get over 20, you should be changing the water. I don't ever let my tanks get above 15...
Second to that, there are also trace elements (not measurable that I know) in/from tap water that should be replaced, so the 50% a week is a good rule of thumb..
I have no problems with my BGK who is rounding 8 or 9in with 50% water changes. Mine is quite friendly and curious to the point where he'll even investigate my hand and siphon while I'm in there.
If you're concerned about shocking the fish few more frequent water changes also do well ime. On my really skitterish fish I use a cup/container ect and just scoop water out opposed to useing a syphon. for some reason syphons seem to scare fish ime.
"Nitrates should dictate water changes" no truer words have been spoken lol.
"Nitrates should dictate water changes" no truer words have been spoken lol.
They can handle 50%...just make sure the temperature of the new water isn't too different from the tank water.