Water Changes and Stress

**Nekohime** · 05-10-2011, 07:18 PM

Here's an interesting question: when changing water, especially large amounts, is it better to stress the fish out by chasing it with the net until you finally corner it by some plants, or to stress the fish by leaving it in the tank as its water gets lower and lower and lower? My betta is alone in a 10 gallon and he's hard to catch.

**Cliff** · 05-10-2011, 07:22 PM

Why would you corner the fiish with a net ? Are your trying to remove it for the water change ?

I'm not to sure why your fish would get stressed from a water change. How are you doing your water changes ?

I change about 75% of the water in my tank each week. The fish never seam to get stressed out by it. They just hide when when the water starts to get really low.

**Goes to 11!** · 05-10-2011, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Nekohime

Here's an interesting question: /SNIP/ My betta is alone in a 10 gallon and he's hard to catch.

Please explain the rationale behind needing to catch him - I don't understand why it's necessary.

I have never removed any fish while doing water changes.

To answer your question: It's least stressful of all to simply leave the fish alone and just get on with changing the water.

**funkman262** · 05-10-2011, 07:51 PM

In the past I have found the act of changing water to be stressful to the fish (although I can imagine not nearly as stressful as being chased by a net and removed from the tank). It's probably just me though but I've never had any luck while doing my PWC's. Every time I did one I would soon find a fish or two dead. The temps would be equal and I would use an appropriate amount of conditioner. It wasn't until I designed a tank that no longer needed water changes that I had a truly flourishing tank.

Disclaimer: I do not condone not doing water changes. It works for me but it may not for you.

**Aeonflame** · 05-10-2011, 09:16 PM

I would absolutely love to see that tank design.

**Honey Badger 1** · 05-10-2011, 09:20 PM

unless you have set up your tank in the walstaad method, water changes are a vital part of proper fish keeping. water changes do not kill fish, unless you have done something wrong during that water change. that's the plain truth and no way around it. to put any other information about water changes out there for newer fish keepers to read is ridiculous. if your fish died after water changes it was from something other than the new, fresh, clean water our fish so vitally need. ph comes to mind.
water changes can be a bit stressful on some fish, but they get used to it over time. there is no need to take your fish out of the tank while doing proper tank maintenance. just pour the water back in gently, especially with a slow moving fish such as a betta.

**Rue** · 05-10-2011, 11:08 PM

Fish can tolerate some turbulance in the water. They have to able to in the wild. Just keep it as steady as possible. Do not remove the fish.

And yes, it's probably a little stressful. Kinda like doing a total spring cleaning on your bedroom...but in the end, it's so much nicer!

**funkman262** · 05-11-2011, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by mommy1

to put any other information about water changes out there for newer fish keepers to read is ridiculous.

Considering this is a public forum I don't see why I can't state facts about my tank. I know a lot of people on these forums get mad if anyone has an opinion or idea that differs from their own but just look at my tank and you'll see that I have no reason to feel that not doing water changes has had any negative effects on the ecosystem. And also, you should read my disclaimer. I'm in no way advertising that water changes are pointless and don't need to be done.

Edit: And by the way, my design doesn't follow Walstad's completely but it does work off of the same concepts.

Originally Posted by Aeonflame

I would absolutely love to see that tank design.

You have seen the tank and even commented on it in my journal lol

Originally Posted by Aeonflame

Your tank looks spectacular! love that plant growth.

**Lab_Rat** · 05-11-2011, 12:33 AM

I do 80% water changes each week on my 75g tank. I take the water level to the point where some of the larger fish almost have their dorsal sticking out. They may not be happy with me at that moment but they sure appreciate the clean water.

**Cermet** · 05-11-2011, 12:39 AM

Please, if someone does not believe what you say, that is not an attack and you need to understand that before posting. When you make a claim about a specific aspect of fish keeping that many have never seen so people don't believe it, just post the proof and we will read and ask questions - this is notan attack and it helps no one to act that way.

That said, water changes can kill fish if the pH differs and for other reasons like temperature (which you indicate is a none issue.) If the water change is done without the fish (i.e. they have been moved) and then you put them right back in after, they are seeing the exact same environment as if they were in the tank for the WC - no difference (again, ignoring the issue of pH.)

The fish dying could be caused by ammonia in the water that you put in the tank (and assuming the fish are not put in for some hours ) it is possible that the filter could reduce it to a safe level. One thing (besides checking pH) is check your tap water for ammonia or nitrites - this coulkd be part of the issue.