"Water changes for a mini tank"

by **XxshedevilxX** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:26 am

Hey everyone,

How often should I change the water in my 3 gallon tank so that my little buddy can live a long and healthy life.

Thanks for reading Smile

by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:05 am

Hi
If unfiltered then I would say do about half the water every few days, and a full change every week. For example, 100% change on Sundays and 50% changes on wednesday and fridays.

by **XxshedevilxX** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:12 am

Ok but mine is filtered and heated though...i forgot to say it was in my first post sorry lol!

by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:23 am

If its a new filter, then you still need to do regular water changes of around 50 - 75% weekly. This is because it will take the filter quite a while before it is able to convert waste into nitrAtes.

A fully cycled mature filter, you would only need to do 25% weekly.

by **XxshedevilxX** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:31 am

Ok cool how long do i have to do a 50% water change first starting out? And i dont have to move my betta while im doing this correct Question

by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:45 am

Thats correct:) Just leave the betta in the tank and syphon off half the water, preferably from the bottom as thats where the waste debris will be. As long as the fresh dechlorinated water is within 2 or 3 degrees of the tank it will be fine.

The only way to really tell when the filter is cycled, is to test the water. Once cycled there will be a nitrAte reading, but no ammonia or nitrIte. This usually takes anywhere from 6 - 12 weeks.

by **XxshedevilxX** on Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:57 am

Ok Thanks for your help, I will do that then thumbup

by **Newfishy** on Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:30 am

just to add my two cents, when starting a new cycle up from scratch, without cloning for whatever reason the cycle takes forever to finish almost 12 weeks with my well water/local water. cloned tanks are nearly instant, but cycling a tank from scratch takes forever.

so even when the tank seems almost cycled, dont give up on the regular large water changes, keep at them for a good while.

by **XxshedevilxX** on Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:49 am

Yea I have well water/local water too and I was worried that it would be bad for my betta even after the conditioner has set. But he's fine it seems. He's doing what all bettas love to do, eat and swim happily. I think the weekly 25 - 50% waters changes should do. And of course the monthly filter checks Smile

by **SheenaShoup** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:26 pm

When doing the water changes at 70% should I take out the plants? (Silk) My ammonia was pretty high and tank is still cycling. Also, would it be ok to use a little water squeezed from a colonized tank?

by **kizno1** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:28 pm

i sont see a problem with leaviong the plants in. insted of using media squeezing why not cut of some of the muture fillter media and put it in the tank and then it will alredy be cycled.

by **SheenaShoup** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:31 pm

Don't know if they'll let me cut their media, I'll ask.

by **kizno1** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:32 pm

ok :] then you dont have to work about the cycleing thing because that will alredy be cycled. just make sure you get a good amont to cope with the fish.

by **SheenaShoup** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:35 pm

What's a good amount? A cup full? 1/2 a cup? (Cup like the betta come in)

by **kizno1** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:37 pm

how big is the filter you use? about half the amount of media should be replased with cycled media that should work.

by **SheenaShoup** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:41 pm

Small Mini Bow by Aqueon.

by **kizno1** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:42 pm

yh if you replace about half the amount of media with cycled media from your lfs.

by **SheenaShoup** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:43 pm

Gonna go over now and check. Be back later! TTFN Very Happy

And thanks again for all the help!!! your a hero, tell your mom that, and that is why you deserve a snake! thumbup

by **kizno1** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:47 pm

o yh its earlyier there i was thinking what at almost 8 i think it will be closed lol.
thats a good idear that might get her to let me lol. i really dont think ill get one but ill keep trying lol :]

by **SheenaShoup** on Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:52 pm

I went to the store and they gave my some of the stuff way under their gravel, siphoned bounced really hard on gravel til you cou see the bottom and I have split what they gave me between the two tanks, about 2-3 cups worth, pouring it in through the filter, will that help?

"Water changes for a mini tank"

"Water changes for a mini tank"

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