Tropical Fish

[rach912]

I have recently just set up a new tank for tropical fish and at the minute just have a few Zebra Fish. With the starter kit for the tank I received some Biological aquarium supplement, aquatic plant food and water conditioner. On the side of each bottle it metions weekly maintenence. Is this ok to carry out whilst the fish are in the tank as you are obviously putting in a concentrated capful??

[woofgang]

Its a while since I kept fosh in a tank, but I recall that the drill was to dip out a couple of pints of aquarium water with a clean dipper into a clean bucket, add the treatment, stir well then put the lot back in again. if you are doing a partial water change, then add the treatment with the clean water

[shaz-rla]

We have a large (180L) tank, must admit to not putting any treatments in unless fish in tank are ill.  We also don't change water everyweek.  We don't have real plants in either and our fish are happy!  Had the same fish for around 3 years now.  I think you can actually overdo it on the adding of supplements etc. Don't empty too much water out (I did when my husband was away once) the fish will go into shock!!

[CT]

I seem to remember my housemate doing what woofgang did. During the water change, mix in the necessary chemicals and then add to the tank. This way you aren't just adding concentrated chemicals in with the fish.

[CT]

Oh also, depends on where you live. Some of the chemicals remove stuff from tap water that has been added artificially. Check with the local fish shops to see if you need to add this.

[Hammer]

All you really need to worry about is removing chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Most other things are a waste of time effort and money.

Biological supplement is the bacteria necessary to break down ammonia, nitrites and nitrates properly, but this will build up naturally anyway.

Just make sure you change 10% - 20% of the water every week or two (or more to start with) and you'll be fine.