New Tank Questions

Russell Brooke · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I set up my first tank about 2 months ago, and everything is going
well at the moment. I've got a 30gl tank with 10 neon's, 8 bleeding
hearts and 2 albino catfish (oh and a couple of shrimps). I got a few
questions though about feeding and water conditions.

Firstly i'm starting to use R0 water from my local dealer for water
changes, now how often should i change the water and how much should i
change. I've recently read a book which suggested changing 20% a week,
but my local dealer told me I'd only need to change about 10% every
5-6 weeks or so. I've been doing the later, about 20% a week. Also, R0
water, what exactly is it and why is it better than normal water.

Secondly, now i've got some bottom feeders, (the albinos), do i need
to substitute their diet with any thing. I'm currently feeding flakes
and now and again frozen live food, and also live food. I'm also
interested in getting some redtail corys today so will i need to get
some different food fo them? I've checked my ph which is 7.6, no
ammonia, no nitrites, kh is looking good now. Any comments would be
welcome.

Thanks

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

Geezer From The Freezer · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 496

If you're local dealer suggested changing 10% every 5-6 weeks, I suggest finding
another local dealer other than that one!!
10% every 5-6 weeks is almost certain to kill your fish prematurely.

Graham Broadbridge · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 23

"Russell Brooke" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
>
> Firstly i'm starting to use R0 water from my local dealer for water
> changes, now how often should i change the water and how much should i
> change. I've recently read a book which suggested changing 20% a week,
> but my local dealer told me I'd only need to change about 10% every
> 5-6 weeks or so. I've been doing the later, about 20% a week. Also, R0
> water, what exactly is it and why is it better than normal water.

In a tank that size you should change 20-25% weekly. Unless you have a
specific
need for RO water just use normal tap water. i.e. if you live in an area
with very hard
water and wish to keep fish that require soft water you may need to dilute
with RO water.

Graham.

Jim Brown · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 177

There is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking RO water. It probably is
better as a lot of the 'contaminants' are removed. In addition, since the
water will taste purer, one may end up drinking more which can only be
beneficial.
As for causing cavities, RO water can't do that. It may reduce the
fluorides in the tapwater if that is what the water supply station adds.
But before fluorides were added to the drinking water, normal dental care
and diet should prevent cavities just as well as the fluorides. I am sure
that if RO water caused teeth and gum problems, it would have never passed
UL or CSA or NSF testing.

Jim

Cammie wrote in message$sr.78@news01.roc.ny...
> by the way, I hope you aren't drinking the RO water yourself, it's okay,
but
> it has nothing in it, you will get cavaties drinking it. It is missing
> nutrients and minerals that tap water has, even well water. Just talking
> from experience.
>

Cammie · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 42

I would guess with 10% every 5-6 weeks you are going to have ammonia and
nitrate building up and that will kill your fish. I would even say you
could do 20% every other week, that is what I do and everything is great. I
found if I do 20% every week, I get algae outbreaks, not sure why.

"Geezer From The Freezer" wrote in message@Freezer.com...
> If you're local dealer suggested changing 10% every 5-6 weeks, I suggest
finding
> another local dealer other than that one!!
> 10% every 5-6 weeks is almost certain to kill your fish prematurely.

Cammie · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 42

by the way, I hope you aren't drinking the RO water yourself, it's okay, but
it has nothing in it, you will get cavaties drinking it. It is missing
nutrients and minerals that tap water has, even well water. Just talking
from experience.

"Geezer From The Freezer" wrote in message@Freezer.com...
> If you're local dealer suggested changing 10% every 5-6 weeks, I suggest
finding
> another local dealer other than that one!!
> 10% every 5-6 weeks is almost certain to kill your fish prematurely.