Performing A Freshwater Tank Water Change
Вставка
- Опубліковано 12 гру 2014
- A quick guide to doing a water change for a freshwater fish tank. I review vacuuming, maintenance schedules, and all that good stuff. Enjoy!
Fluval Gravel Vacuum: amzn.to/2Gyr1ok
Mag-Float Cleaner: amzn.to/2H7yHPy
Tap Water Conditioner: amzn.to/2Ip3Qx7
Follow me on Twitter! @RealFishTankGuy - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
from people trying to correct you and saying you sound like Kermit, you've shown what a nice and humble guy you are.
Well thank you...I appreciate that. I'm just making videos for fun and to possibly help some people out. I've always found that life is a bit easier if you don't take yourself too seriously :)
Yes I agree they were rude you do not sound like Kermit the Frog at all I mean come on
@MrBLESTER75 for question 1 just let it get room temperature
I love his voice it’s clear and soothing
@@TheFishTankGuy😊
Thanks for watching! As a disclaimer, I would like to mention that you should ALWAYS use a water conditioner such as AquaSafe when adding tap water to your aquarium. I am lucky enough to be in a location where our tap water is free from most harmful chemicals, but for most people that is not the case. Sorry for leaving this out of the video, and good luck with your aquarium at home!
quick question! do you suggest the API water conditioner or the AquaSafe more?
@@caroa.2230 I have always have a good experience with Aquasafe, so that's my go to... That being said, I haven't used the API conditioner, but in general, I think API makes good products, especially in the freshwater space. Hope this helps!
If it's a new tank should I add some quickstart as well?
When you condition the water, do you add a full dose (i.e. 5ml for 10 gallon) or do you just condition the amount of new tap water that you’re adding?
@@tbhshy7364 either will work. I usually just treat the new water in putting in, but adding more conditioner will not hurt anything!
wow i find this tutorial very helpful and beautiful aquarium!
Thank you very much, glad to hear it!
What do I do if I have small pieces of gravel
Katdill you’ll have to try and avoid it
“And you just unleash the kink” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Let it fly!
loll
Thank you for a clear and easy to understand tutorial. It will be my first time to use my siphon gadget to do water change in my 10 gallon fish tank, and you just answered the questions I have in my mind....thank you, my dear friend!
Thanks for making this fairly easy to understand, im currently doing my first water change and this video is definitely a huge help thanks!!
I think it’s important to condition the water before adding the new water to the tank. Other than that, very helpful video!
can you explain more on how to do that and how long? I know you add the dechlorinater to the new water ... but how do you mix it in before adding it to the tank?
Add the conditioner to the existing tank water before adding the new water. That’s what all the professionals do, so that’s what I do. I don’t see why adding it to the we are adding would be a huge issue though. I use seachem prime. With prime, you can add up to I believe 6 times the dosage and it will still be completely safe. So I just add a capful to my 45 gallon tank water which is enough for something like 50-60 gallons. Then add the water and everything is good. Seachem prime also removes a bunch of other toxic elements that may be in the tap water, as tap water varies in make up depending on the treatment facility and existing water per meters of your municipality. Definitely want to be conditioning water though. Chlorine is bad for fish and that is not debatable. Chlorine can also crash a tank by killing bacteria especially on a newer tank. This guy is giving some horrible advice on that part. It will effect the longevity and health of the fish if you add direct tap water and in some cases just flat out kill your fish.
@@Tinsletooth Will putting the conditioner in the water, with the fish, hurt the fish?
thank you for your help. I am starting my own 10 gallon tank today and have many questions.
My dream is to eventually graduate to Saltwater tank.
first, I must startoff on smaller scale.
But still very important....... these little guys are counting on us to do the right things.
Definitely! Glad to hear you are starting a tank. I actually just checked out your video today and the tank is looking pretty nice! See how you like keeping the tank for a while and then maybe make the leap to saltwater :) Good luck!
Anna Cole same
Nice you got this
I got my 9 liter tank a long time ago then got my first fish and I'm also looking forward to saltwater tank with coral
Yes same helped me alot
Hey I know it’s been 4 years but how did I go I just started a 10 gallon and 29 gallon
One of the best water change vids I have ever seen, and that is a beautiful tank....can def see the gravel "junk" getting taken up... Thanks for this video, you do an awesome job showing us how to do this!
Woah.. your video was so easy to watch and understand without hurting my brain! You made something most people would make very difficult looking to something that was a piece of cake! Thank you! I’m glad I clicked on your link big time!
+1 👍🏽 Thank you for typing exactly what I was thinking 💭
I got a goldfish three days ago. Thanks for this tutorial! I feel much more confident going into water changes :)
What a beautiful tank! Great setup!
Thanks so much. Terrific. Very common sense not too much over the top and very pleasant to view! Thanks fish tank guy!
No problem, thank you for the comment and complement, I appreciate it!
this is super helpful i’ve been confused on how i should keep my tank clean. thank you so much!
Thank you for this video I'm new to fish keeping and I was clueless on how to clean the tank
Thanks for this. I just got a new tank and was wondering how I would change the water. This is great information. Really appreciate your time making this
You're welcome, I hope it helps!
Thank you for sharing your routine, I’m paranoid I’m going to cause my fish irreversible damage. It was reassuring to watch your video so that I know what to do when I clean my fish tank!
Just got a tank for the first time. This video was very helpful! Thank you!
Just put my betta in its new 2.5 gallon tank yesterday after much time of waiting to buy a tank. I'm a new fish owner so I'm taking things step by step. This video really helped. Thank you
You're welcome! Enjoy your new tank :)
Great clip. Thank you. We are new fish owners and found it extremely helpful.
I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for the comment, I wish you the best of luck with your new fish! :)
your fish tank looks really nice and I love the decoration thank you so much for sharing☺
Thanks very much, thanks for viewing!
Gorgeous tank! Thank you!
Thank you very much for your video! I love being a fish keeper!
Very clear video. Thank you, this has helped me with my guppies and my mystery snail.
I found this video very helpful, better than some of the others out there. I just started a new aquarium last week, I'm doing my first water change for a 20 gallon so this is what I needed. I only have one betta in and one decoration so I shouldn't have very many problems lol. Thank you!
20 gallon for one betta! Whooo boy, you are a nice fish owner, he must feel so FREE!! :)
The Fish Tank Guy
Yeah, I had him in a fish bowl but he got clamped fins and just looked kinda fuzzy or blurry. I put him in the 20 gallon and he looks so much better. I plan on getting him tankmates, there's so much room! First time fish owner 🤗
I recommend you get him a few luffy buddies its moss balls and live plants those plastic ones will wound its fins You could also add snails and some shrimp to help clean the plants and glass and use a heater Betta's need to be at least at 78 degrees they come from warm waters not cold. I raise betta's myself I think they are smart and beautiful.
Oh I forgot they need a hiding place but never add anything that has not been treated to be in a tank and never add real shells my friend killed all his fish that way. I have though used a pv pipe part before.
I've been researching as I go and that was my next step, moss balls and real plants! I've also ordered 6 small schooling fish. And I planned on getting ghost/glass shrimp and maybe some zebra snails? If I can find them. I also purchased my betta a "hammock", it's just a big rubber leaf. I got the heater before I put him in the 20 gallon 😆
nice video, it really will help me know how to do a water change with my 29 gallon aquarium. thanks man keep up the good work!
Thanks! I just got a tank and this is very helpful!
Thanks for the tank tips. I’m fairly new back to the aquarium world. Your info was very useful👍🏼
I'm glad it was helpful, good luck with your aquarium!
Useful info. Thanks dude
Thanks for the help...love the tank..looks great
Glad I could help, thanks for the complement!
Wow grate video. Easy to understand, step by steps helped a lot. Wonderful tank as well. Thanks for the great video!
This tutorial is so specific well done
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching and the nice comment.
I’m actually getting a fish, so thanks for this! I wanted to learn how to clean the tank.
Nice video and great looking tank!
This is a helpful tutorial, thanks!
+Allison Phinney great, thank you for checking it out!
Thank you for the info. I recently became the owner of an orphaned tank and fish that was way overdue for cleaning. I am going to look for a tank syphon and a new filter to at least get me started
Great idea, good luck!
Your tank is beautiful!
Thanks, I really wish I have kept up with it a little better. I should do an update on my remaining freshwater tanks! Thanks for your comment :)
I bought my first 10 gallon tank. I’ve never taken care of fish but I am freaking out when it comes to cleaning the tank and the whole water change. I don’t want my glo fish to die!!
Don't worry, you'll do just fine. Don't replace a ton of water, try to get the temperature of the new water close to that of the aquarium, and be sure to condition the water. You'll be fine! :)
I love your tank!! So cool!
Thank you, I appreciate it!
LOVE the tank, man! Wow crystal clear water, Gorgeous decor! Happy Chinese New Year BTW🌃🐽
Thank you! Really appreciate you checking out the video!
I would definitely add the water conditioner in the bucket of new water before you add it to the tank
Thank you, very helpful!
Thankyoufor the video as i am going to get my own first tank! And needed to know the cleaning steps.
+Kate S congrats on your first tank! Have fun with it, but don't push your limits on fish etc. I've found that over populating my tank caused the most grief. Good luck!
Very helpful. I need that gravel vaccum
I love your decorations
Thanks very much! I loved my little jungle themed tank :)
Great video, thanks for sharing!🥰
You're very welcome!
Thank you! You made me feel a little better about using tap water in my fresh water tank. I was stressing that I need to use all these chemicals before using the water.
You do need to use water conditioner before putting tap water into the tank! Without it the fish will be slowly (or quickly) poisoned by chlorine and chloramines. It's a mistake a lot of people make, so it's understandable! Treating the tapwater will help your fish live their best life without suffering from chlorine burns
You should use it, the water conditioner isn’t expensive
Great video! Thanks for the information!
Thank you so much, this was extremely helpful!!
Great video, thanks!
I learned from this video. You should be proud of yourself!
Thanks for the video, it helped a lot.
Glad to hear!
Thanks man...you helped me alot!
Good video ! Thanks for the help
awesome adorable tank
Really Helpful. Thank You.
You bet!
Thank you for this video. I’m in need of some help with my fresh water tank.
Thank you so much for your help
Dear Sir:
The video was very informative and enjoyable. Although guppies are very hardy and can withstand the chlorine in an over 50% water change (don’t forget to subtract water displaced by the gravel and decorations) I’m sure that much chlorine is very uncomfortable for them, in particular “burning” their gills. Dechlorinators don’t actually remove chlorine from the water, but strengthen the “slime coat” on the fish. For their comfort, I would add “dechlorinator” when doing this large of a water change.
Replacing the filter cartridge in a hang-on-the-back filter is expensive and counter-productive. It would be better to “optimize” the filter by using a sponge specifically made for aquarium use that fills as much of the compartment in the hang-on-the-back filter meant for a disposable filter cartridge as possible. That way, rather than having to purchase replacement filter cartridges, you can simply wring the sponge out in the used aquarium water from the water change, getting as much of the detritus out of it as possible, without killing off the beneficial bacteria which complete the nitrogen cycle for the tank. Additionally, the more frequently you do water changes (preferably at about 10 to 20%) the better conditions will be for the fish. I'd recommend small water changes at least every couple of weeks.
To each his own, but I would recommend a backdrop for this tank. It will add a dimension of depth, making it more ascetically appealing and also give the fish an added feeling of security.
You did a very nice job of this video and I applaud your efforts. Thank you for welcoming constructive criticism. Your fish look health and happy and that is the main point of the hobby.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
New Subscriber,
E. J. Brinegar
EJ! Firstly, thanks for becoming a new subscriber, I really appreciate it! Secondly, thank you for a constructive, well-written comment. I'm happy to get your feedback and you make a lot of great points. Where I'm located I have very good tap water, so I don't always feel the need to use dechlorinator, but I often will still. I should have highlighted that aspect of water changes a bit more in this video. As for the larger volume of water, I tend waver on performing regular maintenance. Sometimes I get 20% every couple weeks, but if I miss a few, I'll do a larger change, but I do know that smaller more frequent changes are preferred. As for the filter cartridge...I never thought of using an aquarium sponge instead!! That's a great word of advice. Someone actually asked me about replacing filter cartridges at all...to which I replied I'm going to do some research and answer the question on my next podcast, but I think the alternative of using a sponge is pretty awesome. Thanks for commenting!
Declorinators do remove chlorine and Chloramine by binding to them rendering them harmless. Chlorine itself will evaporate if the water sits for a short while. This is why water departments went to using Chloramine which does not break down the way chlorine does. Yes most water conditioners do have additives to help the slime coat but that's not why declorinators are used. If you fail to treat your water to remove Chloramine you'll have dead fish. While chlorine alone will breakdown quickly prolonged exposure will damage the gills, fins, and immune system killing the fish. This is especially true to many fish that require high quality water. Great video my friend love the tank!
Thanks 💞😇☯️🌱🐟
Okay, so what you are saying is to take out the Filter and replace it with a Sponge. AND then when it comes to water changes remove whatever % of water and rinse out the sponge in that water and put it back because it has good bacteria that will colonize the new water you just added in your water change?????
Dear Christine Grimmond:
Beneficial bacteria grows on all of the submerged surfaces in an aquarium. Using a sponge that fills the chamber maximizes the number of bacteria that come in contact with the tank water, as is passes through the sponge. A filter cartridge doesn't have as much surface area; clogs quickly; and, can't be used indefinitely.
When you first put a sponge in the filter, it has to be colonized by bacteria. It is helpful to leave the used, filter cartridge in the tank for several days to give bacteria time to migrate to the sponge. Wring the sponge out in used aquarium water, when necessary, so that much of the bacteria remains in the sponge. Using chlorinated water would kill the bacteria.
Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
E. J. Brinegar
I love the decorations
Thank you!
Your tank inspired me
Yeah, your the 1st video and the last video I need to see to clean my tank! Answered all my questions and was a short video, my opinion.
Please tell me where you got your gravel vacuum. I looked on amazon and they all have open wide mouths. Don’t wanna suck up the gravel.
Hi just wanted to let you know this video was really helpful for someone who just started this hobby :)
Great video. Love your tank. I have tank envy lol.
Thank you so much for this vidoe
very informative. thanks for sharing
I would defo recommend to do water changes MUCH more often than once every 4 months. At least once a month
This was very informative. Thank you! I subscribed!
Thanks for the sub!
Nice setup 👍
Thank you!
Thanks for the video and great video. Videos like this is great for the newcomers in the hobby.
The Fish Tank Guy 9057 you are surely jesting? No water testing, no water conditioner in before adding new water. Not often enough , I cud go on . . . But he does seem a nice guy. The only reason his fish didn't die as soon as he added water is he must have no chemicals in his water supply. Most people do I'm afraid
Hey john...I appreciate the constructive criticism...and I'm glad that I come across as being a nice guy :) Haha...you are right, I don't typically test my water every time when doing water changes. I maybe should have added some more information into the video, but I was just making an assumption that most people know the quality of their water after setting up and establishing a tank. I do talk about adding water conditioner, but also mention that personally I haven't had any issues when not using it. Thanks for the comment, always am open to feedback!
I live on Lake Erie, (If that makes a difference) and the water is horrible so we definitely need the conditioner. I had to learn the hard way, losing some fish. If this could save anyone that grief, I just wanted to mention it. Also, I loved the video! Thanks!
Sure thing, I appreciate it! I'm from Erie, PA by the way :)
Fantastic video, this really helped me alot! I really appreciate it! You have a new subscriber 🙋👋
This video was very helpful.👍🏼👍🏼
Nice tank
Thanks for the video
very cool aquarium
This video is great 👍 thanks.
Thank you so much for this video :)
This video helped allot thx
You are welcome!
Thank you this was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi, thank you for your tutorial, it's very helpful. I have a question, what would you do if the tank water is cloudy after you change it?
Excellent thank you for this
You are welcome, thank you for checking out my channel!
Thank you so much! I was confused on how to clean my tanks but this helped so much :)
I have a question.. Can I use the same bucket I'm using to put the old water in, then dump it, wash it out, and use it again for the new water?
Absolutely. Just make sure to rinse out the bucket pretty good. Some leftover gunk won't cause problems. The bigger issue would be using a bucket that was cleaned with soap or bleach (and not thoroughly rinsed), that's a major no no
Great! Oops I meant rinse, not wash :) Yes, I'll make sure to rinse well, thanks!
And one more question I just thought of.. One of my tanks seems to be going through the new tank syndrome. I'm new to the fish hobby so didn't realize I should have cycled my tank before getting my betta fish. The fish is doing well but the water is very cloudy. Been like this about a month. Should I be doing 20% water changes like once a week? How long before cloudy water is gone? Thanks!!!
Very easy and helpful thx
Very helpful
Thank so much for this video I'm new fish tank owner myself had no clue on how to clean my tank my two fish just recently passed but know I know why because we need a fish heater for malley fish wich the pet store did not tell me that u needed one for them so I'll give give it one more try just have to purchase a heater
That's a nice tank
nice tank.
Thank you!
very helpful
Thank you! I'm adopting a beta, and I want to learn all this before I actually got one.
Thank you for doing actual research! There are a lot of people who do not properly care for their betta.
thank you very much that helps me alot
Glad to hear it! Good luck with your tank!
Damn 3-4 months fucking awesome dude.
thanks
Great helpful video! My kids were just given a betta and a beautiful 3 gallon tank as a gift from a friend. She did get the water conditioner and the tank is equipped with a filter and aerator. However, I do not have a siphon/ gravel vac and really don't have the financial resources to be getting one anytime soon so I have a question. Is there another way to get the gravel as clean as necessary for the fish to be healthy? And is there another way to remove the water without causing the fish to be stressed or disrupt the environment? Any suggestions would be very greatly appreciated. Thanks for a great tutorial. Don't pay any attention to the jerks that are criticizing you and your methods and the ones who made fun of you. Your voice is very cute. Some people just don't know how to be kind.
his fish are so tiny
what if they go in the siphon 😮
+Mohammed Hussain I'm extra careful 😊
And I noticed his fish seem to stay at the very top..
@@Wokewomen2024 They know, they're smarter than they look!
Super helpful! Where did you get your decor? Your tank looks great!
OK your tank decorations inspire me to get a little more ambitious. I just scrounged up a few pebbles, an old archway decoration, second hand, and a little dark green bottle. I like your opinions - I just set up a tank for a goldfish and I love to hear, don't bother with this and that. I would have had two fish but one died the first night.
What magnafloat glass cleaner would you recommend i just bought a 37 gallon tank and want to be prepared
thanks alot man i have small tank asswell.. i was gonna buy nitrane cycle but now i dont have too thanks bc of uu
Nice! Yeah...the less chemicals we put into our tanks, the better!
I have a warmer for my tank so I’m sure tap water won’t be an issue if I try to get it near the same temp, I’ve just never had an aquarium before, I used to have a fish but it was in a bad, tiny tank.