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I have kind of neglected my tank over the last month or so because i really had been busy with other things. I have finally gotten around to my tank now and I was wondering what measures i should take to bring my tank back to where it was. I haven't done a water change in over a month and I finally going to fix my tank back to where it was. My fish seem to be fine though, but what can I do to make things better besides the water change and cleaning of the tank etc. ?

Eric,

I think it would be easier to give you an answer to your question if you would describe your tank as it is right now.

For now, IMHO don’t perform a large (>50%) water change as you might change your water parameters too rapidly without giving your fish a chance to adjust. I would suggest you perform smaller (20%) water changes every other day for a week.

Awaiting additional information,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

i have to agree...no major water changes..that will shock ur fish...if ur still too busy...u may do a 15-25% (15% 2x/wk or 25%/wk) water change once or twice a week (this will slowly put u back without too much stress to the fish)by gravel vac siphoning a portion(1/4) of the tank...this will ensure removing the gunk and whatever in there...so, this means..ull be doing this for the next 4 weeks...after that...u may resume to regular 25% water change once or every 2 weeks (once a week is better).

Last edited by tankie at 08-Jul-2005 10:15

Its a 32 gallon tank. There isn;t too much algae since i turned the lights of for a few days and that killed it off. I have real plants in there, and I am going to clip them down and make them regrow. As for actual water parameters, i will get back to you on that, but the temp is around 26C and the pH should be 7.6 since the pH of the water i use never changes. As for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates I will measure and get back on that. As for fish, i have 1 angel, 6 cardinal tetras, 6 black neons, 5 danios, 3 ottos, 6 cories.

Edit: I should also mention that 20% of the water has already evapourated out. And I have plenty of time to spend on my aquarium now.

Last edited by ericm at 08-Jul-2005 10:21

I agree that doing a major water change wouldn't be a good idea. I would do a gravel vac just to clean things up, get back with us on all the water params, and start tidying up the plants. It sounds like a nice setup and I think it should be in good shape rather quickly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Do a good gravel vac. & clip the plants in shape & wait for a week or two, to make more changes. A mayor change might harm the fish & surly you don't want that.


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I am beginning to do work on the tank. I looked at all the fish they seem fine. The only problem i found is one of the ottos has to silver markings on the top of its head. But they are symetrical? I am going to do soem water tests and ill post them as soon as im done that. I think I am going to run carbon and do a 20% water change and do some other small ones within a week or 2. Should I treat with pimafix and melafix after i run carbon just in case?

no

If you don't see any illness, don't treat your fish with Pimafix & Melafix.
Do a gravel vac. & water change & leave the rest for another day in a week's time.


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water parameters:
ammonia 0.6
nitrite 0
nitrate 100

Well, welcome back to the hobby, I have to say that I think we all go through spells at times due to whatever reasons, at least you have noticed that things were on the downhill slope, and want to make things better for you fishies...

To make things more of a set schedule has always helped me to do tank maintenance even when I might not really want to or have the time or energy to do it...

Choose one day of the week...I like Sunday mornings generally, but have had to go to Sunday nights or very early Sunday mornings (3 or 4) and I make it a point that I will do my water changes then...no matter what...

Get everything you might need for the water change, and keep it in a bucket where it is easy to get to...this would include for me, python, net, water conditioner, sponge, toothbrush, etc...This will help because it is all there, and even if you aren't in the mood for doing it, it will make it easier, and at least quicker to get it done...Then make yourself do it!!!

If there are others in the household that are "big and old enough" by all means please let them help you in whatever manner they can, even if it's only to turn the water on and off, or flip the switch on the python, please let them help

But, as has already been mentioned don't do a massive water change, you don't want them to go into sudden shock...do it gradual...just 15-20% a week...and before you know it things will be back to where they were...

But, I know for me the best way to keep things is sometimes to make myself do it, and eventually I fell in love with the "intimacy" of messing around with the fish, and enjoy the gentle nibbles, though the cichlids weren't always gentlebest of luck getting back into it...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

I had a schedule. I would do maintainance every friday saturday or sunday depending on which day worked best. I used to have a python, and I had my mom or dad help me with water changes. They didnt like the idea of the python... I dont know why... but i brought it back anyways kuz a piece on it broke. I have a 32g so the old bucket method works fine, and that way i pour the water taken out on the grass in the backyard instead of into the sink. I keep everything i need in one bucket so its not that hard. I just have been really busy in the last month with exams and all, but now I have a lot of time.

Well I just finished cleaning the filter and I did a 20% water change before. I also put some carbon in my filter and things look good. The tank is very clean now and I trimmed all my plants down. The tank is kinda bare now . Cant wait for the plants to grow back.

Well I woke up today to find one of my ottos dead attached to the filter intake, and I cant find the other two. They like to hide inbehind the plants on the back well but since i clipped the plants down could that have done anything?

Hi,
Personally, I think you did too much too fast. In a sense
you overhauled the tank and changed everything "overnight."
Ottos can be very sensitive fish, and they are probably
died as a result of the overhaul. With luck one or two might
survive.

Your water values showing some ammonia, 0 nitrites, and
100 nitrates should tell you instantly, that something is
seriously wrong. The nitrogen cycle goes from ammonia
that is changed to nitrite, to nitrate. To have a slump
in the middle means that your bacterial colonies have been
seriously damaged, pehaps by too vigorious a cleaning of
the gravel and too vigorous a cleaning of the filter.
OR, you have added new fish to the mix and the
colonies have not caught up to the increased fish waste.

Pick a time, once a week, and change say, 10% of the water,
scrape the glass, and while changing the water lightly run
the Python over the surface of the exposed gravel, leave the
planted parts alone. Prune the plants once a week or less,
as needed.

Do that religiously, and you should have no problems.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Those values were from before when I cleaned the tank. I only also did about a 15% - 20% water change... and I think you are right abotu changing the enviornment so quickly . I hope the others make it..