Water change issues

cmcpart0422

cmcpart0422

Members
I was wondering if anyone else has this problem. When I do large water changes 50%-60%, my fish will get a bunch of tiny air bubbles all over their bodies that seem to stress them out. They sit on the bottom of the tank panting and gasping for breathe. The larger fish seem to pull through in a day or so as the tiny air bubbles on their bodies slowly go away but any small fish such as fry or tetras seem to die about 10 min after the water change is done. Has anyone else had this problem, or can anyone tell me what I can do to prevent this? Thanks.



-Chris
 
Julie

Julie

Members
Welcome to the club!!! I cannot do large water changes either. The bubbles are likely CO2, and you probably see it worse in the winter than in the summer??

When I do accidently do a large 50% waterchange, I'll spray the fill water in... to give it the maximum opportunity to degas itself. The other way to handle it is to have a trashcan or large container with your water sitting in it aging for a few days prior to using it in the tank.
 
UNCLERUCKUS

UNCLERUCKUS

"THE ALL POWERFUL Q !!
Thats some good info right there. i have a question also? when i do large water changes sometimes i see my fish rubbing across the bottom for a little while then its gone. what is this? bob,micheal and i were trying to pinpoint this the other day.
 
cmcpart0422

cmcpart0422

Members
Thanks for the welcome and info. Hahaha I have been a member for a little while though, but I always enjoy a good welcome. I will try to spray, and stick to smaller water changes, I dont have the room to store water overnight for water changes though, I have to do all my water changes from the bathtub.
 
cmcpart0422

cmcpart0422

Members
UNCLERUCKUS said:
Thats some good info right there. i have a question also? when i do large water changes sometimes i see my fish rubbing across the bottom for a little while then its gone. what is this? bob,micheal and i were trying to pinpoint this the other day.
Click to expand...

Another thing my fish do after a large water change also. Good quesiton.:confused0083:
 
SubMariner

SubMariner

Master Jedi & Past VP
If you're using a hose that tends to happen, but if you use buckets of water the bubbles are less. Just a thought.;)


Richard
 
Lively

Lively

Members
You may want to test your tapwater before putting it in. I've heard that in certian areas nitrates are in the tapwater - or it could be something else that is disolved in.
 
F8LBITE

F8LBITE

Members
check your water temp on the way back in. Ive set the Python up and think the temp is fine when I check at the sink but when I go check the temp on the incoming water from the hose its way hotter than the tank water thus depleting the oxygen levels in the tank.
 
cmcpart0422

cmcpart0422

Members
I use my bathtub and a 5 gallon bucket to fill the tanks. I try to alter the temp so it is right around 74-76 degrees.

I tested my water a long time ago and I don't recall finding any nitrates. I also try to let the water run for a bit to make sure any thing that may have settled in the pipes gets out but it always seems unavoidable.

Like I said if I stick to small 20%-30% changes the problem is nonexistent.
 
Lively

Lively

Members
In all seriousness - if you're good at smaller changes and it's only large ones - most likely there is something in the water that is causing your fish the distress. Try and find the water reports from DEQ in your area - it might shed some light on what may be causing your problems.
 
Julie

Julie

Members
The *welcome to the club* was in reference to the way your water is (dissolved gases that the fish don't like!) not to the CCA!

Think of it almost in terms of "the bends" that divers can get...

and just try and do the smaller water changes. If by accident you do more... spray it in like I said, and maybe only fill up 20%, wait an hour or two, and then do the rest.

Smaller water changes also allow you to use cooler water, and not use hot water that can leach things out of your plumbing! :eek:
 
cmcpart0422

cmcpart0422

Members
O hahaha I see now. Yeah I try to stay on top of my water changes to avoid this issue. However, every once in a while I get carried away and like you said accidently take more water out then I want to.

I guess I'm just destined to do small water changes.
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
I'm also in Gaithersburg and regulalrly do big 50-75% water changes....and not to jinx myself...without incident.

I use a garden hose running from my extra bathroom to my fishroom and allow the water to spray into the tank through a PVC hang-on-the tank-hook / on-off switch that I built.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top