Water Change Question.

[richardhmc]

Hi! I just wanted to know, how many times are you supposed to do water changes? I have a 55 gallon tank with 6 jds, 3 baby ebjds, and 2 plecos, very small only about 3 inches and less. I heard you need extra care for ebjds so do i have to do water changes everyday?

Also, how can I make sure the water is perfect before I add it to my tank? I use a python hose - the one where it connects from the sink to the tank. Usually I use warm water just by the way how hot it feels, but after last time when my fish began to itch and i could tell it was ich, becuz of water temperature wavering, I didnt want to risk it.

Also, how much water should i change? usually, i drain out water until the level goes under neathe my thermomter - about 40 percent.

thanks
- Richard

 

[P3R3]

Thats a recipie for disaster, those poor EB's wont last long.

 

[P3R3]

I would change that at least 1-2 times a week 40%

 

[richardhmc]

What is a recipe for disaster? Please tell me what to do instead of scolding me for the wrong things.

1 - 2 times a week? what days then?

 

[shookONES]

I would do 50% every 2 weeks. If you add water slightly cooler than tank water, your heater will pickup the slack by the time the tank is filled.

 

[P3R3]

What is a recipe for disaster? Please tell me what to do instead of scolding me for the wrong things.

1 - 2 times a week? what days then?

Those regular JD's wil hound those EB's

The EB's are not as aggressive hardy as JDs. Also, they grow smaller which leads to disaster.

You would need a LARGE tank to make those combos work. A single pair of JD's needs a 75 at least.

 

[PMK]

If I had a tanked stocked like that Id do a 50-60% water shnage every 3-5 days and test the water every other day to ensure the quality is up to par

 

[richardhmc]

Woah, I have three different people telling me different things..

I am going to keep a jd pair in the 55 and get more tanks for each pair that comes up. Right now, there isnt much aggression between the jds and ebjds which i am thankful for. There is no fin nipping at all and fins are all fine.

So 3 -5 days water change? every 2 weeks? who should i listen too?!?!

 

[terrypowerz]

There are a lot of variables that determine how often to do water changes.
The amount of the bio load... the type, size, and quality of filtration... your feeding habits..etc.
Ultimately it comes down to the quality of the water in your tank, and what it takes to keep it good.
If you have a test kit...use it to determine the quality and track the changes as you do your water changes to help figure out what works for you.
I am no expert on the fish you have by any means... but the old standard I have always gone by is 25% once a week (and I slip...some times it is every 2 weeks)
Temperature should be as close as possible to tank temp (use a thermometer to check it if you want to be sure)
And use Prime or something similar to be certain to dechlor the new water (my thoughts anyways)
Chlorine can cause the "itch" you are describing also I think....
Hope this helps!

 

[JAK]

If I had a tanked stocked like that Id do a 50-60% water shnage every 3-5 days and test the water every other day to ensure the quality is up to par

no other way...