The Puffer Forum

Pufferpunk wrote:Read my signature!

I do water changes every other day but its small water changes.. like mabey 2-3 gallons every water change.

Obviously, not enough. 50% weekly is reecommended as a minnimum. I do 75% weekly on all my FW tanks & 90% on my discus tank. If I were you I'd do 25% today & tomorrow & then 50% the next day, until your nitrates are close to 10. Then keep up witn a minimiun of 50% weekly after that.

Pufferpunk wrote:Obviously, not enough. 50% weekly is reecommended as a minnimum. I do 75% weekly on all my FW tanks & 90% on my discus tank. If I were you I'd do 25% today & tomorrow & then 50% the next day, until your nitrates are close to 10. Then keep up witn a minimiun of 50% weekly after that.

If I do that much water change will if effect the water parameters? Will it remove all that good bacteria that eliminates ammonia and nitrite?

Nope, that bacteria doesn't live in the water, it sticks to surfaces, like glass, decor, substrate & filter material. Be sure to clean the substrate (under decor too) for any uneaten food/feces.

Pufferpunk wrote:Nope, that bacteria doesn't live in the water, it sticks to surfaces, like glass, decor, substrate & filter material. Be sure to clean the substrate (under decor too) for any uneaten food/feces.

cool thanks. I just did another water change. I am now filling up 3 buckets of water the night before to declorinate and condition the water before adding it to my tank. has the every been a incident where if you do too much water changes that the tank has to recycle again?

Never--I do 90% weekly WC on my discus tank. You don't have to dechlor beforehand. Just dose the tank before filling with water that has a matched temp with a hose from the sink.