How To Change Aquarium Water: Improve Fish Health
Having pet fishes at home can help you deal with stress and anxiety. And as a result, it can help you improve heart health. They may not be able to reciprocate the same affection, but by just looking at them swim, can be relaxing. So, when you have pet fish in your aquarium, you have to consistently provide them with clean water to swim. And you must know how to change aquarium water.
Why do You Need to Change Aquarium Water?
The water in your aquarium gets dirty due to many reasons. It can be the food you sprinkle on it every day for them to consume. The uneaten fish food can decompose in the water, creating ammonia and turn into bacteria. The natural light that warms the water also causes algae to grow on the surface or on areas that are exposed to the sunlight. You also must consider that overcrowding can also cause the water to get dirty quickly.
Like humans, when the air gets polluted, people will get sick. This is the same concept as fishes. When the water they live in becomes dirty and contaminated, they become sickly and may lead to their death. The reason why you need to know how to change aquarium water, so you’ll be able to provide them with clean water to live in.
Why do You Need to Change Aquarium Water?
The water in your aquarium gets dirty due to many reasons. It can be the food you sprinkle on it every day for them to consume. The uneaten fish food can decompose in the water, creating ammonia and turn into bacteria. The natural light that warms the water also causes algae to grow on the surface or on areas that are exposed to the sunlight. You also must consider that overcrowding can also cause the water to get dirty quickly.
Like humans, when the air gets polluted, people will get sick. This is the same concept as fishes. When the water they live in becomes dirty and contaminated, they become sickly and may lead to their death. The reason why you need to know how to change aquarium water, so you’ll be able to provide them with clean water to live in.
How to do an Aquarium Water Change
There are two types of water change in a fish tank or aquarium- the partial and the complete water change. For partial water change, you need only to replace 10% to 15% water content, while the complete water change calls for the removal of all the water in the aquarium with a new one. Whatever water change you choose, you must know how to change aquarium water.
Getting Ready Change
Before the actual change of water in your aquarium, you must consider treating the water with a water conditioner. Place it into a container then add the conditioner. The water conditioner will add particles to adjust the pH level of the water and remove dangerous chemicals in it, making it safe for fishes to live.
While you wait for the water to be treated, you can check the lighting and heating system of the tank. Also, check the air filter to know if it is still working or it also needs to be cleaned. The plants and decorations are also some of the items in the tank that can be a home for bacteria and dirt, so you also have to clean those. Take them out of the tank and wash them thoroughly with a cleaning solution.
The Actual Water Change
For a partial change, use a bucket to take the 15% used water. But if you are decided to do the complete water replacement, follow the direction below:
- Get a bucket and remove all the fishes. Let them stay in the bucket while you clean the tank and remove the water from it.
- When everything is set, it is now time to suck the water. You can do this manually, or you can use sucking equipment created when to change aquarium water. Suck the 30% water. Do not go beyond as it can change the chemistry of the water, which will distress the fishes.
- Once you have taken 30% of the water from the aquarium, check the temperature of the remaining water using a thermometer for accuracy. The compare it with the temperature of the water that you treated. Both must have a temperature close to each other.
- Pour the pretreated water to the aquarium or tank slowly so it won’t destroy the gravel layer.
- After you have completely filled in the water tank, put back the decorations you removed earlier and set them accordingly.
- Reconnect ad plug all the electronic features of the aquarium. Then observe for a few minutes. When everything is set and ready, it is time to put back the fishes into the aquarium.
How often Should the Aquarium Water Change?
Changing water is always part of the regular aquarium maintenance. The frequency of how to change aquarium water shall depend on the size of the aquarium or the tank and the number of fishes in it.
Small aquariums and crowded aquarium must be changed often. It would be ideal to do partial water change each week, or if it is lightly stocked, it can be changed every two weeks up to four weeks.
Conclusion
Having pet fishes at home can be a nice idea. Unlike other animals, this one is passive. They don’t show affection nor reciprocate love. But having an aquarium of fish in the house can greatly affect your mental and emotional health. By simply looking at them swimming, you will lighten and calm. That is why aquarium water change is important to keep them healthy. But you must be knowledgeable, so you won’t hurt or stress the fishes. Learning how to change aquarium water correctly is then necessary. Keep your fishes healthy and let them feel the love by giving them a clean place to live in. Find out more about aquarium care.